Expert Details
Lactation, Infant Mental Health, Ethical Non-Monogamy
ID: 740223
New Jersey, USA
Her professional career includes roles such as Clinical Care Provider at Maxim Healthcare Services, where she offered individual and family therapy to at-risk children and adolescents, and Addiction Specialist at Muhlenberg Regional Medical Center, where she worked with substance-dependent clients. Expert has also facilitated mindfulness-based support groups at Pace Groups and served as a volunteer lactation counselor with La Leche League International for over a decade.
Expert is deeply involved in professional education and has contributed to various publications and peer reviews, focusing on perinatal mental health, breastfeeding, and social justice issues. She has also been a keynote speaker and panelist at numerous conferences, addressing critical topics such as insufficient glandular tissue, caring for clients with respect, and mental health in perinatal care.
Her academic credentials include fellowships in Infant and Child Mental Health from Montclair State University, a Master of Social Work from Rutgers University, and certification as an International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC). She continues to advocate for inclusive, compassionate care, especially for marginalized populations, while actively contributing to the fields of mental health and lactation consulting.
Education
| Year | Degree | Subject | Institution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year: 2001 | Degree: MSW | Subject: Direct Practice | Institution: School of Social Work, Rutgers University |
| Year: 1999 | Degree: BA | Subject: Women's Studies | Institution: Rutgers University |
Work History
| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
|---|---|---|---|
| Years: 2010 to Present | Employer: Undisclosed | Title: Owner & Proprietor | Department: |
Responsibilities:• Provider of clinical lactation care for pregnant and postpartum people.• Speaker and professional educator for national and regional conferences and media. • Legal advocacy and expert witnessing regarding lactation, mental health, and child welfare. • Psychotherapy for individuals and coaching for professionals. |
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| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
| Years: 2008 to 2023 | Employer: La Leche League International | Title: Volunteer Lactation Counselor | Department: |
Responsibilities:• Provided trained peer support and education to new families regarding lactation and parenting.• Led support groups in person and virtually. • Provided phone, email, and in-person counseling on normal lactation. |
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| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
| Years: 2021 to 2022 | Employer: Pace Groups | Title: Group Facilitator | Department: |
Responsibilities:• Facilitated virtual support groups for diverse populations in start-up environment.• Lead mindfulness exercises, processes discussions, and resolves interpersonal and group conflicts. • Work with staff to improve overall program and provide cutting edge online mental health support. |
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| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
| Years: 2013 to 2017 | Employer: Maxim Healthcare Services | Title: Clinical Care Provider | Department: |
Responsibilities:• Provided in home individual therapy to at risk and seriously mentally ill children and adolescents.• Provided family therapy to these children with their parents and siblings. • Provided assessment, diagnosis, treatment planning, and intervention. • Coordinated services with state agencies, schools, and families. |
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| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
| Years: 2003 to 2005 | Employer: Muhlenberg Regional Medical Center | Title: Addiction Specialist | Department: |
Responsibilities:• Provided individual and group psychotherapy and education to drug and alcohol dependent clients in an intensive outpatient program.• Provided assessment and diagnosis, treatment planning, case management, and referral services. • Coordinated services with parole, probation, Work First NJ, DYFS, IDRC, and other agencies. • Worked with treatment team to provide quality care. |
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| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
| Years: 2003 to 2004 | Employer: Muhlenberg Regional Medical Center | Title: Psychiatric Emergency Screener | Department: |
Responsibilities:• Provided psychiatric screenings in emergency room setting.• Worked with acutely mentally ill clients, providing assessment, diagnosis, and appropriate referral and coordination of care. • Certified to sign screening certificate for commitment in NJ. • Provided support and education to clients and family members in crises. • Coordinated client care with emergency room staff and referring agencies. • Engaged in crises management with child abuse, sexual assault, domestic violence, and bereavement cases in emergency department. |
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| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
| Years: 2003 to 2003 | Employer: Catholic Community Services | Title: Clinician | Department: |
Responsibilities:• Provided individual and group psychotherapy to drug and alcohol dependent clients in a women’s intensive outpatient program.• Worked with dually diagnosed clients, as well as those with abuse histories, DYFS involvement, AIDS, and severe socioeconomic issues. • Provided treatment planning, case management, and ongoing assessment and referral. • Facilitated crises management involving suicide assessment, acute intoxication, and inter-client conflict. • Coordinated services with DYFS, SAI, SARD, and Work First New Jersey. • Provided reports to state agencies. Worked with interdisciplinary treatment team to provide comprehensive and consistent client care. |
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Career Accomplishments
| Associations / Societies |
|---|
| International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners (IBCLC) |
| Licenses / Certifications |
|---|
| • Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) • International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) |
| Publications and Patents Summary |
|---|
| Expert has authored 3 publications and served as a peer reviewer on 3 additional publications. |
Additional Experience
| Expert Witness Experience |
|---|
| Expert serves as a legal advocate and expert witness for corporate, patent, criminal, and family law cases regarding lactation, infant and young child mental health, mother/baby attachment, child welfare, and advocacy for LGBTQQ+ and non-traditional families. |
| Training / Seminars |
|---|
| Expert has spoken and/or taught at dozens of engagements related to breastfeeding, lactation, motherhood, child welfare, and mental health. |
Fields of Expertise
lactation, clinical lactation, postpartum, pregnant mothers, mental health awareness, clinical mental health, child welfare, psychotherapy, mindfulness, interpersonal conflicts, group conflicts, mentally ill patients, new families, drug dependency, alcohol dependency, bereavment, LGBTQ health, addiction, alcoholism, child abuse, sexual assault, polyamory, mother child bond, mother child attachment