Throughout my professional career, I have been committed to helping teens and their families negotiate challenges that they encounter moving into adulthood. After completing a Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychology at the University of Virginia, followed by a training program at the Family Therapy Institute in St. Louis, Mo., I worked in a variety of residential and out-patient clinical settings as an adolescent and family therapist. Several years ago, I completed a certificate program in Autism Spectrum Disorders at Antioch University of New England. There, my independent work focused on the development of social thinking in young adults with AS, as well as transition planning and preparation for college.

Over the past six years, I have worked as a Life Coach in Asheville and Massachusetts. I have helped young people improve their independent living skills, increase their community involvement, and negotiate college and work environments. I have become familiar with many of the local colleges and have developed working relationships with several disability service offices. While much of the focus has been on one-to-one goal setting and work with my clients, it has been one of my highest priorities to collaborate with parents on goal-setting and how to foster increased independence in their adult children.