It has been my life’s mission to help children be seen and heard, and to teach parents how to find joy in raising a child and enjoy being a parent. The heart of parenting is in the way we connect with our children!
The seeds of this mission was planted long-ago when I was growing up in the beautiful rural area of Finland, a country where snow and darkness reigns most of the year. My serene childhood drastically changed after my parents divorced which resulted in my father’s empty promises to stay in touch, and my mother having to focus on raising two kids as a single mom. I, just like so many other kids of divorced parents, was left by myself not knowing how to deal with all the big and confusing feelings. I was left alone to grow and develop. Disconnected from my dad, and having a mom in a survival mode who was not able to meet my needs for connection and nurturing.
When I am asked about my childhood now, the story goes: “I was raised by the forest, Mother Earth herself.” All my time was spent in the woods that I found so magical and comforting. I created a deep bond with nature which over time grew into spirituality and a worldview based on harmony governed by natural laws and cycles.
When I was in the forest, IT loved me and cared for me. IT was there for me when no-one else showed up. But, there was vast emptiness and a longing for connection which I carry deep in my heart to this date.
This hole that I felt inside made me curious about the human condition, the meaning of life and the purpose of suffering. I wanted to learn all about the psyche, the mind as well as how we grow and develop. I studied social work in a university in Finland and finished my studies here in the United States. After getting a Master’s Degree in Social Work from San Diego State University, it took 2 more years to get licensed as a clinical social worker.
I rigorously studied child development, the science behind it and the best ways for children to learn and to be supported by their parents. I even moved to Italy for 7 months to study the Montessori Method and became an AMI certified Montessori teacher.
It was at this point where my friends and family became worried that I had “lost it” and “gone a bit crazy” as who in their right mind with a master’s degree and license to practice mental health would want to go abroad to become a pre-school teacher with a $13 hourly pay…
In my eyes, the choice was clear: I had to follow my heart. Despite the criticism, as well as time and money commitment, I pressed on because it is my mission to serve children and parents. This mission is bigger than I am, and I believe it originates from a Divine call which I cannot ignore.
My journey of helping has taken me to work in some rather unconventional and challenging places from a locked inpatient psychiatric unit to driving around late at night doing home visitations with kids in the juvenile delinquency system to working in a day treatment program for s*xually reactive children and juvenile s*x offenders. I have worked side by side with the offenders and the victims as at the end, they were ALL victims at some point.
I gathered all this knowledge, wisdom and experiences for the sole purpose of being able to help children and their parents. I have learned the science and practiced the tools to give children the right kind of environment and support for their development. I have also discovered effective ways in which parents can minimize conflict, anger, yelling and nagging which erodes the relationship with their children and causes toxic stress that impacts the entire family.
My approach offers insight into the developing brains of children which helps you see past the negative behaviors and connects you with the very heart and soul of your child. The advise I offer is practical and intuitive once you understand the underlying principles. They are easy to implement and do not require much additional time as you can simply transform everyday moments into teaching moments.
In the end, despite a challenging start to my life, I did not only survive but I thrived. The very trauma I experienced, helped me develop deep empathy and desire to help all living beings on this earth which embarked me on the journey of discovery and learning. I am grateful for my wounds as they have been my guide and my teacher.
I now have the absolute joy and privilege of running and operating a therapy practice for the past 10 years where I get to work with children and their parents to stay connected to each other through unconditional love, understanding and loving-kindness.
Click here to find out more about my work with children and families
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As a trauma therapist, I have had the privilege to witness and hold in compassion the pain of hundreds of people who have experienced terrible things in their lives.
I have heard things that no-one should ever hear, let alone experience. In my heart, I hold the terror but also the triumph of trauma survivors. This is a privilege which I hold in high regard and feel grateful for.
Trauma, whether it is big or small, has a riveting impact on our lives. When trauma is unprocessed, it slowly poisons every corner of our being. Soon enough, we no longer are who we truly are, and we may find our lives as well as ourselves in pieces, broken…
I work with many veterans in their 60’s or 70’s, who experienced trauma over 30 years ago. Undiagnosed and untreated, the trauma changed the trajectory of their lives. As they did not know what was happening to them, many resorted to drinking and drugs as a way to cope, they lost relationships and families because of out of control anger and some even ended in prison. All because of untreated trauma. 30 years later, the trauma is as fresh and as new as it was when it happened. The lesson here is that for some people trauma does not go away on its own. It needs to be worked through with someone who knows the way out of it.
Many new clients worry whether they can share their true story and if I am able to bear it for them.
Well, I can because I have been there too and I also know how it is to be on the other side of trauma.
I walk the path of healing with my clients side by side. Guiding them out of the darkness into the light of their own True Self which is open, available for connection, relaxed, appropriately responsive, embodied and present.
Whether you have experienced an assault, accident, natural disaster, abuse as a child or an adult, or maybe you have been bullied at school, are exposed to a toxic work environment or were unseen by your parents as a child, you may have developed chronic trauma responses. Whatever the cause of trauma, it results in the same kids of symptoms which need to be addressed so you can have your life back… So that you can welcome yourself and others back to your own heart…
Every single person that I have worked with who completed their healing journey, found the gift of trauma waiting for them at the very end. Their conclusion is powerful and surprising:
To get the support you need click here to get in touch with me!
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