Occupation: I opened my own counseling practice, Focused Solutions Counseling, in late June, on Oak Grove Road in Brookfield, and I'm excited to have just set up my website focusedsolutionscounseling.com. I'm a national certified counselor with
Occupation: I opened my own counseling practice, Focused Solutions Counseling, in late June, on Oak Grove Road in Brookfield, and Iâm excited to have just set up my website focusedsolutionscounseling.com. Iâm a national certified counselor with background in behavior therapy. Iâm also a grief counselor at Annâs Place in Danbury. Iâve been a counselor for two years, and have worked with the autism population with great success for about seven years in different school systems. My practice focuses on supporting individuals, families, and groups, particularly in the area of pervasive developmental disorder.
Family: My husband, Cliff, and I have two children. Kimberly is almost 22 years old and sheâll be starting at Bridgeport School of Nursing in the fall. Kurt is a 2010 NHS graduate and heading to Naugatuck Valley Community College in the fall.
How long have you lived in Newtown? Iâve been here since 1995. I love this town.
What do you like to do in your free time? Iâm an artist. I worked in advertising for many years as an illustrator, and I still enjoy drawing. I also love to cook. I love to have food available all the time. Iâm more of a baker than a cook. I love to sew, and have recently been making a cushion for the window seat in my new office. I want to incorporate all of the things I love into my practice and office space, to give it a cozy feel.
Do you have a favorite artist? M.C. Escher. I like the surrealism and the black and white. I like having a little mystery in each picture. Each of my works has that small twist to it, too. Escher was a big influence on me. I also love Norman Rockwell. I used to combine the two in my work, and eventually got my own style.
Do you have a favorite travel destination? It used to be the Jersey Shore, but we bought a little house in Rhode Island, and now I love Narragansett Bay. I love to walk the beach and eat âbeach foodâ like clam cakes and chowder.
What is the best thing about Newtown? I think it is the townâs charm. I bought my house after driving down Route 302 for the first time and seeing the cows. I thought, âThis is the town for me!â And you know as soon as you exit the town borders â the charm isnât there anymore.
Who do you most admire? Probably my husband. He can do anything. I used to say that as a joke, but now I believe it. Iâve seen him do amazing things. Anything breaks and he can fix it. He built me a bathroom for my office where I never thought one would fit. If itâs not doable, he finds a way to make it happen.
Do you have a personal philosophy? Change is always possible in any situation. Itâs how you deal with the challenges that affects the outcome.
What makes you laugh? I try to find humor in everything. Laughter will give you a long life!