We periodically feature our members (Fellows) to help you learn more about them, Collaborative divorce and our organization.
Profession: Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. Psychologist
Title: Divorce Mediator & Coach, Child & Co-Parenting Specialist
Where do you practice Collaborative Divorce?
St. Charles, and Elgin (Kane County) but now with things virtual, in ALL of Illinois and Wisconsin (I’m dually licensed).
What drew you to become a Collaborative Divorce Professional?
I am a Marriage and Family Therapist and have been seeing couples and for a very long time. Many couples come to therapy well after one or both of them have already made up their mind about divorce and therapy is the last ditch effort. It broke my heart to send them to non-collaborative professionals to start their divorce process. Divorce is hard enough. That’s why I became a mediator and a child specialist. So I can help them go through this process in a peaceful and loving way.
What do you find rewarding about practicing Collaborative Divorce?
Teaching people that they CAN work together with the help of Collaborative professionals and they can resolve their divorce in a way that’s better for their family.
What should clients know about you as a Collaborative Divorce professional?
I am uniquely one of the few mental health professionals involved and my mediation skills are strong having years of couple and family therapy experience. I have a holistic approach and encourage healing.
When you are not hard at work practicing in the Collaborative world what do you do for fun?
I have a blended family of 5 kids ages 11,9,7,6, and 3. They keep me pretty busy. I am very active and workout. I love traveling with my partner and just purchased a beach house in Hilton Head, South Carolina that we’re embarking on a rental property business. I have 4 businesses total:
Balance Wellness Collective (a large mental health practice with 15 therapists on staff that see individuals, couples, families and children;Balance Divorce Mediation Practice; our rental property on Hilton Head; and The Raw Intimacy Revolution (an online relationship coaching platform where I help people unwind unhealthy relationships and heal so that they can stand on their own two feet and find the love of their life).