Background:
I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and Certified Gentle Sleep Coach. I received my Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Washington State University and Master’s Degree in Counseling Psychology from Gonzaga University.
I live in Bellevue, Washington with my husband and three boys.
I was just starting my own private practice when my oldest son was 15 months, and I found out I was pregnant with twins! So that was put on hold, and four and a half years later I become a Certified Gentle Sleep Coach, trained by Kim West, LCSW-C (aka “The Sleep Lady®”).
I graduated from the Gentle Sleep Coaching Program (GSC) in June 2011. I am one of the "First 50" graduates of the GSC Program, which is currently the most extensive & professional sleep certification program available. The program involves over 80 hours of training with a faculty panel that includes 2 medical doctors, a psychologist, an attorney, lactation counselor, postpartum doulas and a family therapist. Each coach must pass an exam and participate in case supervision with Kim West, LCSW-C (a.k.a. “the Sleep Lady”) who has been helping tired parents for over 17 years. Clinical supervision and ongoing advanced training are required to maintain certification as a Gentle Sleep Coach.
Some of my GSC training topics included:
- Basic counseling and child development
- Sleep science and behavioral modification techniques to help parents of children age 0 to 6 years old.
- Secure attachment theory
- Support for the breastfeeding mother
The training also consisted of lectures from top specialists, including:
- Postpartum Depression from Dr. Shoshana Bennett, author and leading specialist on Postpartum Depression
- Medical Conditions and Sleep Apnea in Children led by Dr. Lewis Kass, Director of Children’s Sleep Center
- Sensory Processing Disorders and Sleep by Jodi Jennings, OTLR
- Temperament and Sleep by Helen Neville, BS, RN
And much more!
I have also completed the 4/5 month old training program to work with this very fragile age group. This entailed an additional 40 hours of training (with mentorship) working with babies under 6 months of age.
As part of my Mental Health License I must take continuing education courses. Some of the courses I have taken include:
-Assessment in Early Childhood
-Anxiety Disorders in Children and Adolescents: Recognizing & Treating the Emerging Epidemic
-Anxiety Treatment Techniques that Really Work
-Comprehensive Child Therapy: Practical Approaches, Treatments and Interventions
-The Healing Power of Sleep
The services I offer include, Baby Sleep Basics Gentle Sleep Workshop which is focused on babies ages 0-6 months. I also conduct Sleep Basics in home or phone/skype consultations. This is for families with children ages 0-6 months who would like a more individualized plan. Follow up phone support can also be a part of this plan.
For children ages 6 months to 6 yrs I offer Gentle Sleep Success Workshops that focus on sleep education, creating a sleep plan, and nap coaching. I also offer in home or phone consultations for families who would like more individualized help. Follow up phone support can also be a part of this plan.
Finally, I also offer Sleep Talks and Q&As in the community.
I live in Bellevue, Washington with my husband and three boys.
I was just starting my own private practice when my oldest son was 15 months, and I found out I was pregnant with twins! So that was put on hold, and four and a half years later I become a Certified Gentle Sleep Coach, trained by Kim West, LCSW-C (aka “The Sleep Lady®”).
I graduated from the Gentle Sleep Coaching Program (GSC) in June 2011. I am one of the "First 50" graduates of the GSC Program, which is currently the most extensive & professional sleep certification program available. The program involves over 80 hours of training with a faculty panel that includes 2 medical doctors, a psychologist, an attorney, lactation counselor, postpartum doulas and a family therapist. Each coach must pass an exam and participate in case supervision with Kim West, LCSW-C (a.k.a. “the Sleep Lady”) who has been helping tired parents for over 17 years. Clinical supervision and ongoing advanced training are required to maintain certification as a Gentle Sleep Coach.
Some of my GSC training topics included:
- Basic counseling and child development
- Sleep science and behavioral modification techniques to help parents of children age 0 to 6 years old.
- Secure attachment theory
- Support for the breastfeeding mother
The training also consisted of lectures from top specialists, including:
- Postpartum Depression from Dr. Shoshana Bennett, author and leading specialist on Postpartum Depression
- Medical Conditions and Sleep Apnea in Children led by Dr. Lewis Kass, Director of Children’s Sleep Center
- Sensory Processing Disorders and Sleep by Jodi Jennings, OTLR
- Temperament and Sleep by Helen Neville, BS, RN
And much more!
I have also completed the 4/5 month old training program to work with this very fragile age group. This entailed an additional 40 hours of training (with mentorship) working with babies under 6 months of age.
As part of my Mental Health License I must take continuing education courses. Some of the courses I have taken include:
-Assessment in Early Childhood
-Anxiety Disorders in Children and Adolescents: Recognizing & Treating the Emerging Epidemic
-Anxiety Treatment Techniques that Really Work
-Comprehensive Child Therapy: Practical Approaches, Treatments and Interventions
-The Healing Power of Sleep
The services I offer include, Baby Sleep Basics Gentle Sleep Workshop which is focused on babies ages 0-6 months. I also conduct Sleep Basics in home or phone/skype consultations. This is for families with children ages 0-6 months who would like a more individualized plan. Follow up phone support can also be a part of this plan.
For children ages 6 months to 6 yrs I offer Gentle Sleep Success Workshops that focus on sleep education, creating a sleep plan, and nap coaching. I also offer in home or phone consultations for families who would like more individualized help. Follow up phone support can also be a part of this plan.
Finally, I also offer Sleep Talks and Q&As in the community.