I never want to give the impression that I have done everything right. Even as a counselor, divorce educator, and child of divorce, I have stepped into the common traps, ignored good advice, and suffered the painful emotions, challenges, and transitions that come with divorce. My personal story has fueled my commitment to helping families faced with similar experiences, and I strive to provide them with the tools they need to take the next step toward creating a life they will truly love.

Divorce has taught me about letting go and embracing the love and opportunities around me. As a child of divorce, the last thing I ever wanted was to be divorced myself, especially with children. Now, my story is my children’s story, and I want to make it as positive as I can. This same sentiment is shared by many families I have worked with, reinforcing my mission to help adults and children embrace their grief, heal together, and ultimately re-invent their relationships in a healthy and empowering way.

There is so much stigma around divorce, and I’m dedicated to lessening those negative stereotypes which only add more pain to an already challenging experience. When wounds are fresh and conflict is high, it’s hard to believe that a family can come together in a new, re-organized, and re-invented way, but with work and support, this goal is achievable. I could have never imagined that my former spouse and I would be able to share a meal together with our children and new partners, but once we move into forgiveness, these scenarios become attainable.

The lesson that has helped me the most is one that I used to resist; life is always changing, and the way things are today isn’t how they will always be. While the changes related to divorce are often painful, the changes that follow can be liberating and cathartic. By empowering families ride the wave of change, I can help them chart a new course toward happiness.