About Me

In my 30+ year career as a registered nurse, a lactation consultant, a Certified Divorce, Transition and Recovery coach, and a Certified Estrangement Coach, I’ve been amazed by the strength and resilience of the people I’ve served.

If you’re looking at this page, you may be estranged from one or more of your children or other family members. You may be feeling alone, sad, angry, helpless, hopeless, full of shame, and so confused. Estrangement affects every cell in your body, and your physical and mental health has likely suffered. I’m truly sorry you’re facing this challenge. I know how you feel. I was absolutely blind-sided when I went through my own very painful estrangement with one and then both of my children.

Strangely, I had never heard the words “parental estrangement” and was sure I was the only one experiencing it. It’s fair to say it was the worst experience of my life. I’m very happy to say, with coaching and with patience, that my adult children and I have reconciled and now have a close and mature relationship. This experience drives me to assist others as a Certified Estrangement Coach.

My goal as an Estrangement Coach is to be a thinking partner for people during this unimaginable journey. I understand from my heart the impact this can have. I’ll help you move forward in your life while living in this pain. Rest assured, I coach from my scar, not my wound. I will help you create the strategies and practices that will hopefully bring you closer to understanding and reconnecting with your children.

Experience & Training

  • I’ve been a registered nurse for over 30 years. I have specialties in public health, family practice, oncology, hospice, obstetrics and gynecology.

    I’ve been an internationally board certified lactation consultant for almost 30 years. I’ve had a successful and rewarding career working with mothers and babies. Visit Babe N’ You to learn more.

    I’m passionate about putting children in the center and not in the middle. This is why I became certified as a co-parenting specialist.

    I’ve also been trained by renowned Estrangement Coach Joshua Coleman, Ph.D.

    • Domestic Violence
      (Intimate Partner Violence)

    • Suicide Prevention

    • Crisis Intervention

    • Parental Alienation

    • Parental Estrangement

  • CASA:
    (Court Appointed Special Advocate)

    I was the voice of kids in the court system in our county, who had been removed from their homes for abuse or neglect.


    Warmline Volunteer for PS-WA:
    (Perinatal Support, Washington State)

    Phone support for pregnant and new mothers who were depressed or anxious. I’ve had significant training in PMADS (Perinatal Mood Disorders).


    Facilitated emotional support groups for new mothers

    This mother and baby group met weekly to talk about highs and lows of motherhood.


    Facilitate groups on estrangement:

    The participants are parents/grandparents who are estranged by one or more of their children. I’ve had significant training in estrangement issues. Divorce is one of the biggest precursors for this.


    Volunteer Nurse Vaccinator during the COVID-19 pandemic:

    I’m proud to say that I vaccinated over 3,500 people. It was an honor and an amazing experience to be part of this historical event.


    Social Justice Fund Northwest:

    Supported the evaluation and awarding of grants to grass roots social justice organizations.

“Real change, enduring change, happens one step at a time”

~ Ruth Bader Ginsberg