I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist,                                   Certified in Thanatology & Fellow in Thanatology

  • Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT)  State of Connecticut
  • Hospice Bereavement Coordinator with Yale New Haven Health-Health at Home-Hospice, formerly VNA Community Healthcare & Hospice, Guilford, CT. (2016-Present)
  • Fellow in Thanatology: Death, Dying and Bereavement (FT), Certified in Thanatology (CT) from the Association for Death Education and Counseling (ADEC.org).
  • American Association of Family Therapists (AAMFT) Clinical Fellow.
  • Huntington's Disease Society of America(HDSA)-CT Chapter: Former Professional Support Group Leader and workshop presenter . HDSA National trainer and workshop presenter. (2012-2019)
  • Master of Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) Degree from Southern Connecticut State University.
  • Author of An AffaiR Worth Remembering With Huntington's Disease-Incurable Love and Intimacy During an Incurable Illness. First printing 2014. 10th Anniversary Edition available October 1, 2024.
  • Author of "The Freshman 15/16" of Grief-Losing My Forever Love and Finding My Way. Available October 1, 2024.

**What is this Fellow in Thanatology?** 

It is with great honor and excitement that on August 14, 2023, the credential of "FT", Fellow in Thanatology: Death Dying and Bereavement was conferred upon me by ADEC (Association of Death Education and Counseling).

This has been a 15 year and over 9100-hour journey.

I am grateful to all who witnessed and guided me on this journey. The Lord and my beloved departed Perry guided me to this "second act" which was mentored by Sr. Mauryeen O'Brien O.P. in 2008. (Sadly, Sr. Mauryeen passed away on August 22, 2023) I am grateful to have shared this news with Sr. Mauryeen on the date of my conferment. Unbeknownst to me it was my final gift to her.

ADEC offers two respected credentials, which serve to enhance a professional standing and recognize expertise in the field of Death, Dying, Loss, Grief and Bereavement. The CT requires evidence of substantial related experience and thanatological education, as well as the successful completion of a standardized certification exam. I earned the CT in 2013.

ADEC's FT® (Fellow in Thanatology) is an advanced certification for thanatology professionals. The FT® is awarded to individuals who can verify prior experience, education, and specified accomplishments in the field of death, dying, and bereavement and receive a passing score on the certification exam.

The FT was designed for more established professionals who have deepened their thanatological knowledge as well as a more expansive portfolio of scholarly and or professional experience within the field. "FT 2023!"