Founder and Director
Licensed Psychologist
CORE Consultant, Rhythmic Movement Training Provider
Hello,
If you’ve spent some time looking around at the information on this site you have already read quite a bit about me from a professional standpoint. I graduated from Hope College with a degree in special education, specifically learning disabilities, and political science. My first teaching position was in a classroom for young children with autism, where I developed the program and taught for a number of years. When my husband and I began having children of our own I decided to leave full-time teaching and began to consult in area schools. This allowed me to expand my understanding of autism by working with hundreds of teachers, students, and families throughout West Michigan. During this time I earned a master’s degree in special education with a specialization in autism. In 2005 I became an RDI® Program Certified Consultant, and remained a certified consultant until 2011. While I began my career path in the field of education I felt called to pursue a degree that would allow me to serve families with diagnosis and treatment services. I went back to graduate school and earned a doctorate in clinical psychology, and am a fully licensed clinical psychologist.
In 2003 I founded Horizons, along with my incredibly supportive husband, with the intent of offering summer programs for area children on the autism spectrum. Over the past eight years that small summer program in the renovated basement of our home has grown into a 6,000 square foot facility where we provide year-round services and supports to families around the world. We have been continually blessed with talented staff members and amazing families who provide us the opportunity to walk with them on their journey.
When I’m not working I enjoy spending time with my husband Bill and our four children. We have three sons and a daughter who range in age from 5 to 11 years. Bill stays home with our children and keeps things running at our house while I work full-time at Horizons. In my spare time I am enjoy traveling, reading, decorating, and shopping.
Regardless of where you are on your journey with your child, I know that you will find renewed purpose, empowerment, and hope at Horizons. I am personally looking forward to the opportunity to welcome you to our family.
Looking to the horizon,
