Directory of Members

I consider myself a genealogical psychologist. My work blends decades of personal and professional experience into an under-served but vital niche that addresses the professional, academic, and personal needs of those engaged in genealogical research and those providing mental health services where genealogical discoveries may be part of the presenting issues.

Some of my earliest memories involve accompanying my mother and grandmother as they conducted genealogical research, carrying on our family's long line of family historians. I have continued that line with my own work, and taken it beyond my own family and extended family. I also volunteer my photographic and transcription services with Find-A-Grave, BillionGraves, and other sites.

Our roots make us strong. Preserving memories is one of my related passions, whether it be through genealogy, photography, writing, oral history, music, or other formats. My primary passion is in finding ways to make it easier and more accessible for people in various roles to both present and understand genealogical discoveries without entering a crisis (or near-crisis) state - or to come out of such a state quickly and with appropriate support and resilience.

The experience I've gained in over 20 years of vocational rehabilitation and disability service provision along with my years as a crisis line volunteer and on-call crisis response team member and team lead, in addition to my graduate school research have helped me identify ways to apply these skills in a genealogical context for the benefit of clients and genealogists alike.

Education:

BA - Psychology; M.S. - Counseling Psychology; PhD - General Psychology

• Doctoral dissertation title: The Lived Experience of Adult Americans Discovering Their Own Misattributed Parentage Through Ancestral DNA Testing: A Descriptive Phenomenological Study

Genealogist certificate - International Association of Professions Career College

Professional Photography Diploma - New York Institute of Photography

Diploma - Defense Language Institute (Basic Arabic Studies)

Many individual courses, trainings, and conferences in various aspects of genealogical research and professional practice, including membership in a number of genealogical organizations at local through international levels

My primary areas of research are at the intersection of genealogical discoveries and the psychological/mental health effects these have on individual and group identities. I also do genealogical work in the Upper Midwest (USA), Northeastern USA (particularly immigrant research in New York and New Jersey), and Southeastern USA. That said, I follow the paper (and DNA) trails wherever they may lead me! That includes much of Western Europe and Scandinavia, including Iceland.

My doctoral research study focused on the ways adult U.S. citizens experience the abrupt and unanticipated discovery of their own misattributed parentage via ancestral DNA testing with companies such as 23andMe and AncestryDNA.

I also provide consultation and training for genealogists, mental health professionals, and individuals themselves to develop appropriate and ethical crisis responses to unsettling genealogical discoveries.

I can provide various levels of crisis response training and resources to genealogists who may feel uncomfortable providing clients with unpleasant or potentially disturbing research results and there is the possibility that the client or a family member may not respond well to the information.

Other local specialties include in-home photography of family heirlooms too large to be taken out of the home for professional photographic preservation, old photo analysis, brick walls research, and fitting genealogical research into one's busy daily life.

I have many lecture outlines related to working with clients, particularly when it comes to presenting difficult or unusual research findings. These lectures can be tailored to suit your presentation and/or speaking needs or conference theme.

Two of my most popular presentations are:

• Genealogical Shock: Now What? Moving Forward After Unexpected DNA Results
• NPE Psychology for Professional Genealogists

Additional topics currently under development include:

Professionals - Genealogists & Mental Health Providers

• The importance of listening to your client rather than making assumptions
• Stages of the NPE discovery and reaction
• Breaking the news to your client responsibly
• Self-care when working with challenging research discoveries
• Don't leave them hanging: Ways to assist your client who has just received research results that rocked their world

General Public

• Not alone: Coming to terms with surprise ancestral DNA results
• Plat maps, trains, and city directories: Locating a "brick wall" runaway

All in-person speaking engagements require:

• Audio amplification system
• Stool or chair to sit on
• Table or lectern
• Computer hookup for speaker's laptop with backup computer running Windows and either PowerPoint or Google Slides
• Projection screen for computer output
• If an elevated stage is to be used, rails must be present on steps leading from floor level to stage, or a ramp must be present.

Virtual presentations will make use of speaker's computer and slide presentation, which are created in either PowerPoint or Google Slides.

2026

Allen County (IN) Public Library Genealogical Center

APG Southeast Chapter general meeting