Contributors

Mara Applebaum

Mara Applebaum, PhD, is a psychotherapist in private practice in Seattle. Her research on the mother-daughter relationship recognizes the social and psychological pressures faced by mothers and the difficulties girls and women encounter in establishing their own identity. In her practice, she helps mothers recognize their unique personalities and needs, benefiting parents and children alike. Dr. Applebaum regularly lectures on mother-daughter issues for such organizations as Swedish Hospital, Postpartum Support International, La Leche League and Seattle University. For more information, visit www.maraapplebaum.com

Ashley Cooper

Ashley Cooper brings a playful and heart-centered presence into her work, supporting individuals, families and groups on their journey to experience more vibrancy and learning in their lives and systems. Dedicated to the social and emotional well-being of all people, she works with parents, children, teachers and school administrators, helping them to deepen their connections with themselves, each other and the world around them. As a consultant and a life and family coach, Ashley works collaboratively with her clients to shape environments where youth may flourish and the adults providing care also feel empowered, inspired and connected. Her practice has evolved from her experience as an educator, school counselor, play therapist, Social-Emotional classroom teacher, facilitator of parent and teacher groups, self-discovery mentor and organizational consultant. You can check out my websites: wovenessence.net/AshleyCooper.html and http://www.easilyamazed.com/blog.

Jason Goldstein

I am a licensed mental health counselor with a private practice in Seattle devoted to caring for children and adolescents who are experiencing mental health problems. I firmly believe that children have a biological imperative to grow, an innate curiosity to learn, and a psychological need to adapt and change. My job is to help influence the direction of change in ways that facilitate optimal functioning for the child, adolescent, and family. In my work, I take great pride in providing a safe, nurturing therapeutic environment in which kids can give voice to their concerns and learn ways to feel better about themselves. Together with the parents, family, or other caregivers, we work towards establishing a helping, healing process for everyone involved. I have worked with kids from diverse backgrounds with a range of mental health issues and concerns. I earned a Master’s Degree in Social Work from Columbia University and a Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychology from the Washington School of Professional Psychology. To learn more visit my website www.jasongoldstein.org.

Deb Grover

Bio information coming soon…

Amy Lundgren

I am a licensed clinical psychologist working in the Northgate neighborhood of Seattle. I specialize in the mother-child relationship and in adjustment issues in the first five years of life. I received my clinical psychology master’s and doctoral degrees at Fuller Graduate School of Psychology Pasadena, California. I have extensive postdoctoral training in child trauma recovery and family therapy. In 2003 I completed a year-long training program in infant mental health through the Cedars Sinai Hospital Interdisciplinary Training Institute. I have 15 years of experience serving mothers, their children, and families in a variety of settings, including community mental health, school-based milieu treatment, and in-home treatment. In June 2009 I completed the two-year professional training program at the North Pacific Institute for Analytical Psychology studying the work and theory of Carl Jung. Currently I am participating in Infant Observation at The Center for Object Relations Northwest Family Development Center

Yaffa Maritz

I am the co-founder and clinical director of the Listening Mothers program. I have a master degree in clinical psychology and am a licensed mental health counselor with advanced training in Infant Mental Health. I have been a strong advocate on behalf of babies and their families, believing that by supporting parents and creating a safe environment for them to explore emotional issues, we set the foundation for their kids emotional health. Click here to read my “Welcome Post” to this website.

Susan Nelson

Susan Nelson, MA LMHC is a Listening Mothers and Reflective Parenting facilitator. She is a psychotherapist in private practice in Seattle. She specializes in working with pregnant and post partum moms as well as parents adjusting to parenthood. She will regularly contribute to this website offering parenting support and answering questions. If you have a question you would like answered feel free to email her at smnelson21@comcast.net

Jodilyn Owen

Jodilyn Owen is a student midwife, specializing in newborn assessment through the Brazelton Institute, a seasoned doula and childbirth and parenting educator. She has been published in Midwifery Today and Dr. Christiane Northup’s newsletter Women’s Wisdom Circle. Jodilyn lives at home with her husband of 16 years, her children and a dog. She loves the outdoors, boxing, reading, time with girlfriends and knitting. Visit Jodilyn online at www.seattlebirthnet.com.

Valerie Tarico

Valerie is a psychologist and former director of the Children’s Behavior and Learning Clinic in Bellevue, Washington. She writes regularly for the Huffington Post on topics related to ethics, fundamentalism and church/state separation. For the past year, her primary focus has been the development of www.WisdomCommons.org, an interactive library of quotes, stories, proverbs and poems that showcase humanity’s shared moral core. Her book Deas, and Other Imaginings is a collection as stories described as “somewhere between Zen and folktales, somewhere between child’s play and wisdom, somewhere between dreaming the world and healing it.” In her own effort to heal a world that is being fractured by cultural and religious zealots, Tarico wrote a second book, The Dark Side about her personal encounter with religious fundamentalism and her spiritual journey in search of goodness, love and truth.

Michelle Terry

Michelle Terry, MD (graduate of Stanford University – AB and Baylor College of Medicine – MD) is an attending physician at Seattle Children’s Hospital were she cares for hospitalized patients and teaches, medical students and pediatric residents. In the community she is on the board of Child Care Resources, a local non-profit agency that helps families find, and child care providers deliver, excellent child care. At home, she is married, and is mom to three children ages 15, 12 and 5.

Beverly Pressey

Beverly Pressey is a Registered Dietician with Master’s degrees in Education and Nutrition. She is in her 9^9h year as a Nutrition Educator at Bellevue College and her 5^th with a community Parenting Center. Previously she was a nutritionist with the Seattle/King County Department of Health, working with child care staff and parents. Beverly has also worked with individuals, presented at conferences, taught continuing education and college classes, and presented at numerous parent groups. As an experienced counselor, cook, teacher, speaker and a mother of 2, she has a realistic understanding of infant/child eating patterns plus the perspective of a busy parent. Beverly lives in Seattle, Washington. You can learn more about Beverly and the work she does at www.creatinghealthyeaters.com

Nancy Weil

Nancy Weil is the mother of 3 children, age 5 and under, with one more on the way. She lives on Mercer Island and enjoys the challenges and joys of parenthood and perks of Northwest living.

Sara Weiss

I am a stay at home Mom of four fun and spirited children. They are ages 10, 8, 5 and almost 2. Before I became a parent I was hired to do some home-schooling for a friend’s children. I absolutely love the concept and try to incorporate that philosophy in my own child raising (though I do send my children to school at age 4). To me, being a mindful parent means always being on your ‘mental toes’ and thinking before you act and speak. It is a great way for us all to behave.