Special Needs Counselor for
Adults with Intellectual Disabilities and their Families
Special Needs Counselor
- Your adult child has an Intellectual Developmental Disorder (IDD). He/she is experiencing emotional pain and needs someone to talk to.
- Your adult child wants more friends, but lacks the social skills to make that happen.
- As a parent of a child with IDD, you may be experiencing grief related to loss of the child you thought you were going to have, but there’s no one who understands.
- Or you are realizing that having a child with a disability is like running a marathon. Your family will be greatly impacted and will face numerous challenges throughout the lifetime of your child, including issues with education, health, emotional and social well-being. You need guidance, but no one you know has ever had a child with these challenges.

About Me
special needs counselor
I have provided mental health services to hundreds of adults with disabilities, and in many cases, have also had the opportunity to work with their families and caregivers. I founded several parent groups over the years, the Exceptional Parents group in New Jersey; then the Teen to Adulthood and Next Step groups in Raleigh, NC. For 20 years, each month, guest speakers volunteered their time to speak with these groups regarding various disability issues, from the effect of disability on the family to Social Security and housing information.

Individual & Family Psychotherapy
special needs counselor
Therapy works by helping the adult look at his/her thoughts, feelings and behaviors in a supportive environment. I utilize several best practice approaches emphasizing self-determination, positivity and skill development. Having a child with a disability is like running a marathon. Families will face many issues throughout the lifetime of their child with IDD.

Groups
special needs counselor
Group coaching provides the motivation for you to make the change you have been wanting to make, learn skills, share knowledge and receive encouragement. Join a group of parents exploring the next step for their adult child’s transition to adulthood; participate in a skills-building friendship group for adults with mild IDD, Asperger’s or HFA; or join a group learning to connect with their Asperger’s partner. Whatever your goal is, you can achieve it with others who understand.

Coaching for Parents of a Child/Adult with Special Needs
special needs counselor
Whatever your goal is, coaching will help you reconnect with your heart’s desires and vitality, and achieve goals you may have given up on. I use a technique called motivational interviewing to help get you unstuck and get motivated! Coaching takes stock of where you are now and where you want to be.

Training for Mental Health Professionals
special needs counselor
A personal goal of mine has been to attract clinicians to work in this underserved, yet fascinating, clinical specialty. Using an extensive collection of training materials, I am available to train clinicians, parent groups, disability agencies, and any group interested in learning ways to understand and work more effectively with persons with IDD.