About me
In addition to my M.S. in Counseling Psychology from Dominican University, I have
a Masters of Library and Information Science from Indiana University. As part of
my master's thesis I created a popular readers advisory website, BookBrowser: The
Guide for Avid Readers, which was acquired by Barnes and Noble. I enjoy
programming and still build the occasional information system or website.
I worked for several years in the film industry and was a Producing Fellow at the
American Film Institute in Hollywood. I'm a Phi Beta Kappa/Summa Cum Laude graduate
of the University of California at Berkeley, where I majored in Film Studies.
In 1998 my son was diagnosed with Autism. My focus on Autism Spectrum issues is
a direct result of the work I have done with my son and with other parents of special
needs children. I was the Chair of Corporate Giving for many years for
Dedication to Special Education, a local parents group that raises money
to support special education classrooms. Currently, I'm on the steering committee
of the Marin Autism Collaborative and I
work to create new resources and programs for children and adults on the Autism
Spectrum.
I created and facilitated Girls Who Love Anime, a support group for
young women with High-Functioning Autism/Asperger's Disorder. Working with these young
women led me to co-found Autistry Studios,
a program of workshops, academic support groups, and counseling for young adults with
social/communication and learning challenges. At Autistry Studios
we help teens and young adults become successfully independent by leveraging their interests and talents to develop and
enhance social and vocational abilities.
Working with teens and young adults has always been important to me. In 1982 I co-founded
Stichting Quicksilver Theater in Rotterdam, Netherlands. We led drama, voice and
movement workshops for "youth of all ages". While in Indiana studying for my MLS,
I led an AlaTeen support group for teens with substance abuse issues and children
of alcoholics for several years.
Since 2002, I have worked as a high school therapeutic counselor helping students
navigate the difficult social terrain between Special Day Class/ Resource and Regular
Education. I am a trained Girls Circle
facilitator and have led several support groups for middle school and high school
girls.
EDUCATION
M.S. Counseling Psychology, December 2004
Dominican University, San Rafael, CA
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, #44746
M.L.S. (Masters in Library Science), 1997
Indiana University - School of Library and Information Science, Bloomington, Indiana
Emphasis and thesis on information system design.
One-Year Program in Filmmaking, Producing Fellow, 1989
American Film Institute, Hollywood, California
Produced three short films.
B. A. Film Studies, 1985 (Summa cum Laude/Phi Beta Kappa)
University of California, Berkeley
Honors Thesis: "Film/Identity - The Silver Screen as Mother's Face"
Undergraduate Teaching Assistant for Film and Rhetoric Departments
Student Guest Speaker (1986) Phi Beta Kappa Awards Ceremony, "Screen Image vs. Self-image:
The Importance of Film Studies", U.C. Berkeley