Connected
Moms
Confident
Kids
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Hello!
I'm thrilled to announce the first retreat specifically for moms of children with Selective Mutism! With over two decades of experience with families, I've witnessed the fear and heartbreak that many parents endure, losing sleep over child's happiness and future.
I have been running Confident Kids Camp for more than 14 years, and each year I have the opportunity to watch parents meet each other and develop lasting relationships that continue beyond camp. Many parents say that their favorite part of camp was simply meeting other parents who understood their unique challenges and their wins.
My goal is to create a genuine opportunity for moms to connect, learn, and advocate for their children in a peaceful, restful environment. I want to help calm the storm of worry, and provide a real tribe of other women who understand. I hope that you are as excited about this retreat as I am!
My Story
My path into this work has always been guided by one thing: helping children and families find their voice.
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I earned my doctorate in clinical child psychology from Wayne State University, and in 2012 founded Thriving Minds Behavioral Health with the goal of building a practice that combines strong clinical care with thoughtful, evidence-based programs for kids and teens. While I love the heart of clinical work, my career has also taken me beyond the therapy room. I’ve taught graduate-level psychology at Michigan State University, served for over a decade as a neurodevelopmental consultant and evaluator at Trinity Hospital, and remain deeply invested in training and mentoring the next generation of clinicians as Co-Director of the Mid-Michigan Psychology Internship Consortium.
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A significant focus of my work has been on Selective Mutism, a childhood anxiety disorder that is often misunderstood and overlooked. Supporting children who struggle to speak in certain settings—and helping parents and schools know how to respond—has become a passion of mine. I work closely with families to promote what we call “brave talking,” helping children take meaningful steps forward at their own pace.
Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to share this work nationally through teaching, training, and speaking, and previously served as President of the Selective Mutism Association, a role that allowed me to support broader awareness and advocacy efforts in the U.S. and internationally. I’ve also authored two books— Selective Mutism: An Assessment and Intervention Guide for Therapists, Educators, and Parents and Overcoming Selective Mutism: A Field Guide for Parents—to help make effective treatment more accessible to both professionals and families.
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One of the projects closest to my heart is Confident Kids Camp, a therapeutic camp for children and teens with Selective Mutism that I created and co-direct. The camp runs annually in Brighton, Michigan, with additional programs in the metro Washington, DC area and Toronto, Canada, and reflects my belief that growth happens best in supportive, encouraging, and carefully designed environments.
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At the core of all of this work is a simple goal: to help children feel understood, capable, and supported—and to help families feel confident in how they walk alongside them.
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Above all, I am a mother of three teenagers and a stepmother to a young adult, and I deeply understand the challenges—and occasional loneliness—that can come with motherhood. We work tirelessly to meet our children’s needs, and there are moments when we wonder how we can possibly give any more. We long to feel seen, known, and understood, yet time and energy to connect with other moms can feel scarce. My hope is that this retreat helps fill that gap for each of you.