Appreciations

“Dear Michelle,

I want to thank you again for the amazing workshop you gave today. We have already received so much positive feedback from people who attended about how informative and thought provoking it was, and we couldn't agree more. I have a lot to learn, but I feel like I now have some tools at the ready for starting conversations about race, privilege, and bias with my son. Thank you for that and for making the space to share this important material with our group. We are incredibly grateful.”

— Workshop Participant, Change Begins At Home: How to Nurture Antiracism and Antibias Attitudes in Your Child

“I started meeting with Michelle at a time when I was really just at a loss regarding my children’s behavior (ages 3 and 5 at the time) and questioning my ability as a parent. I was frustrated with them and myself. I am a school principal so was also struggling with the fact that I was having such a hard time with my own kids in spite of my profession. Michelle is a wonderful listener and asks the right questions to help you reflect. She helped me to better understand my kids and to develop specific parenting strategies to address their challenging behavior. She also helped me to be more compassionate with and forgiving of myself. I still use all of the tools that she taught me a year later!”

— Erin Brooklyn, NY

“My family was lucky enough to work with Michelle over many years, when our children were aged 6 - 11. She supported us through the process of obtaining an autism diagnoses for my eldest son, and continued to look after us when my youngest son showed some signs of difficulty fitting in and flourishing in school. It was Michelle's approach to both our children, and my husband and I, during the process of obtaining an IEP, that shifted my husband's focus towards autism entirely. Michelle helped him to realize that there was endless potential for our child.

Michelle was always there for us to discuss anything that was pertinent in our lives, and she made me realize that I always knew the answers I was looking for - I just needed help to find them. I’ve never been one to reach out to others for help, but Michelle always spoke with me in such a respectful  and warm way that I could have talked forever. Sometimes I did. I now find myself with two incredibly empathetic and caring children, and I am confident that Michelle's influence and direction during very tricky periods of their life helped mould their attitudes towards others and their own self worth.”

— Lynsey Brooklyn, NY

“I am a mom of 2 boys ages 14 and 7, and for the past 8 years I can honestly say that Michelle has been my savior. I think we can all agree that parenting comes with many challenges, but unfortunately it doesn't come with a blueprint.  So when we are faced with what feels like a new challenge every other week, we often don’t know where to turn or who to talk to. Well take my word for it - Michelle is that person and I am so grateful that I found her!

She is my go-to person and I think she will forever be that person for me. I've been through a lot of difficult situations with my children. She has helped me come up with strategies for my child who was completely uninterested in school, unable to focus, and started acting out because of it. She also assisted me with helping my son deal with the emotions and  disappointment when his father was absent, and then again when his father suddenly passed away. Parenting will never be easy, but Michelle has definitely made it a lot smoother for me.” 

— Xiomara Newark, NJ

“Michelle truly has a gift of mending hearts and minds.  From the moment we began working together to address some parenting and family challenges, I felt so taken care of by her that I just crumbled; the mask of happiness that I had tried to wear everyday fell off and I just broke down crying. I was too ashamed to share my depression with anyone because I was always seen as the strong, confident, superwoman. When Michelle talked with me she had this amazing magic of unscrambling all the hurt and confusion that I was feeling and taught me how to put the pieces back together.

The thing that made me love her the most was how sane and normal she made me feel, and I immediately felt safe and knew that I could pick up the pieces and start again. Whenever my mind retreats back to that dark place and I feel there is no hope, I can hear Michelle in my head saying “ baby steps, one step at a time.” I truly know she saved me. Thank you always Michelle!”

— Natalie Brooklyn, NY

“I cannot say enough about Michelle and her commitment to parents. As a consummate professional, she really takes care of the whole family. She was not only helpful in helping my boys navigate the emotional pain of divorce, but she took the time to make sure that I was ok too.  I so appreciated those times I was able to talk and exhale and I always left our meetings feeling supported. Thank you Michelle!”

— Colette Brooklyn, NY