Training and Continuing Education

High-quality training should do more than share information—it should change the way people think, work, and care for others.

With more than 20 years of experience in community mental health, trauma treatment, and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), I provide engaging, evidence-based training designed to help behavioral health professionals build confidence, strengthen clinical skills, and translate research into meaningful, everyday practice.

Whether you're looking to introduce your staff to a new topic, deepen clinical knowledge, or strengthen an existing program, my trainings are practical, interactive, and immediately applicable to the work professionals do every day.

Trainings are offered virtually for organizations throughout Massachusetts and beyond. In-person trainings may also be available by request and contractual agreement.

I believe the best trainings don't simply increase knowledge—they improve confidence, inspire curiosity, and lead to meaningful changes in practice.

Adult learners bring valuable experience into every training. My goal is to create an engaging, collaborative learning environment where participants feel respected, encouraged to ask questions, and empowered to think critically about the work they do.

Rather than overwhelming participants with theory alone, I focus on helping them understand not only what works, but why it works and how to apply it in real-world settings. I strive to translate complex clinical concepts into practical tools that professionals can begin using immediately.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and Emotion Regulation

Specialized trainings focused on DBT principles and skills

• Understanding Borderline Personality Disorder
• Introduction to Dialectical Behavior Therapy: An Overview of the Model
• DBT Skills Overview: The Four Modules
• DBT Skills Foundational Training: An In-Dept Look at the Skills
• DBT Skills Advanced Training: Going Beyond the Core Skills
• Running an Effective DBT Skills Group
• Coaching DBT Skills for Helping Professionals
• Creating an Effective DBT Consultation Team
• Emotion Regulation
• Distress Tolerance
• Interpersonal Effectiveness
• Mindfulness in DBT

Evidence-Based Clinical Skills

Practical clinical interventions that strengthen therapeutic effectiveness across settings and theoretical orientations. 

• Behavioral Chain Analysis
• Validation: The Foundation for Change
• Mindfulness in Clinical Practice

Professional Growth and Well-Being

Supporting the professionals who provide care through practical skills, resilience, and sustainable practice.

• Burnout Prevention & Professional Resilience 
• Communication & Validation in the Workplace

Additional trainings can be developed and tailored to meet the unique needs of your organization.

Before founding Lotus & Lion: Counseling & Wellness, I spent more than two decades working within Massachusetts' nonprofit behavioral health system, most recently serving as the Director of DBT and Trauma Services for a large multidisciplinary organization.

Throughout my career, I've trained clinicians, direct support professionals, supervisors, educators, and multidisciplinary teams working across outpatient, community, residential, and public-sector settings. I've also provided consultation and training to schools, state-funded agencies, and behavioral health organizations seeking to strengthen evidence-based and trauma-informed care.

These experiences have given me a deep appreciation for the realities professionals face every day and continue to shape the way I teach.

My trainings are designed to be engaging, practical, and immediately useful.

Participants can expect:

• Evidence-based content grounded in current research
• Practical tools that can be applied immediately
• Real-world clinical examples and case discussions
• Interactive learning and opportunities for discussion
• A collaborative, respectful learning environment
• Resources participants can continue using after the training

Whether I'm introducing a new concept or helping experienced clinicians deepen existing skills, my goal is always the same—to help people leave feeling more knowledgeable, more confident, and better equipped to support those they serve.