About

I have three beautiful little girls, one son, and an angel in heaven, all of whom were birthed using HypnoBirthing®. When I’m not spending time with my family I am an Adjunct Instructor in the School of Education at DePaul University. I also teach HypnoBirthing® to expectant moms and dads.

My ultimate goal is to help women and families have safe, peaceful, and comfortable birthing experiences for their babies and themselves. I would love to see the day when all babies are welcomed into this world calmly and gently. I look forward to helping you and your baby have the best birthing possible.

Family and Background:

  • Grew up in Orland Park
  • Living in the Beverly Community of Chicago since 2005
  • Married since 2002 to a Chicago Police Officer
  • 3 young daughters, a son at home and a son in heaven.

Education:

  • Carl Sandburg High School (1995)
  • B.A. in History from the University of Illinois (1999)
  • M.Ed in Early Childhood Development/Education from DePaul University (2003)

Teaching Experience:

  • Toddlers
  • 2nd grade
  • 1st grade
  • Adjunct Faculty member in the School of Education at DePaul University-Teaching Early Childhood and Elementary Education courses (2005-present)

Gentle Beginning, Inc.

Supporting and EducatingWomen and Families During the Childbearing Years and Beyond
Officially incorporated in March, 2007

Focusing on:

  • Child and Family Advocacy-Volunteering/Working with various organizations (such as The Ounce of Prevention Fund, Voices for Illinois Children and Prevent Child Abuse America) to contact legislators in order to ensure children and families are being represented fairly by our government.
  • Pregnancy and Childbirth Services—Childbirth Education–HypnoBirthing: The Mongan Method (I’ve taught more than 100 couples) and Doula Services (Professional Labor Support–I’ve supported close to 100 women and families thus far, and I have many more births scheduled this year)
  • Parenting Education and Support—Education, advice, and support for parents and families, specifically families with children ages birth-8.
  • Early Childhood Consultation—Advice, support and referrals for parents of young children, specifically in finding appropriate schools for their children. I am also available to speak at conferences, to create curriculums for organizations and schools, to facilitate story times for groups of children, and to provide Professional Development opportunities for teachers in early childhood centers and elementary schools.

Certifications:

  • Type 04 Illinois Teaching Certificate (Early Childhood Education)
  • HypnoBirthing Childbirth Educator (HBCE)
  • Certified Labor and Birth Doula CD(DONA)

Overall Goal for Gentle Beginning, Inc.:

My ultimate goal is to help as many children as possible have a healthy, safe, and gentle beginning in life. I truly believe that when children are loved, nurtured, and supported in the first 8 years of life they are more likely to be happy and peaceful adults. During the next 10 years I hope to evolve Gentle Beginning, Inc. into a non-profit organization which will offer a myriad of services for families, regardless of their ability to pay.