About me
Who am I ?
It is for them, and for you, that I decided to create « Ponts à Paroles / Building Bridges With Words » to better respond to troubled family relationships. My approach combines the tools and goals of mediation and therapy: mediation, oriented towards decision-making and therapy, aimed at the relationship.
Born and raised in New York City, coming to Europe had always been my dream. Opportunity knocked when I was offered a short-term consulting position at UNESCO in Paris. That position led to a six-month mission in Latin America.
I returned to Paris, this time as a student. France was bit by bit becoming my adopted country. I was learning to navigate between two cultures, an experience that I now use to help those in a similar situation.
Before being able to help other people, I discovered that I needed to seek out help for myself. A time of deep personal introspection that I couldn't do alone. Meetings with some remarkable people led me to the conclusion that my life's work would be dedicated to helping others.
Being told that I was an attentive and understanding listener, enjoying problem-solving, passionate about human psychology led me to family mediation and therapy. It was only the beginning of what has become an unending exploration of what it means to be human.
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Diplomas & Professional Skills
State-certified Diploma in Family Mediation, University of Paris X – NanterreFamily mediator sworn under oath to the Paris Appeals Court
Mentor to students preparing the state family mediation diploma
« Diplôme des Études Approfondies (DEA) » Preparation for doctoral studies in sociology University of Paris III
Bachelor of Arts, summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa, Colgate Université, USA,
Continuing Education
Supervised Visits, Institut des études systémiques/Family Therapy Institute
Parents’ wars, children’s wounds, Claude Seron, child psychologist
Family Therapy at l’IDES, Institut des études systémiques/Family Therapy Institute
Couple Therapy at l’IDES, Institut des études systémiques/Family Therapy Institute
Mediation in situations of intense conflict, Damien d’Ursel, lawyer & family mediator
Parent – adolescent mediation, Agnès van Kôté, family mediator & therapist
Emotionally focused couple therapy, Dr. Sue Johnson, clinical psychologist
Supervision, Marianne Janas, family therapist & clinical psychologist