Illinois

Cathy received her Masters in Social Work from Loyola University and her Bachelors in Elementary Education from Drake University. She worked for many years as a Child and Family Therapist and Clinical Educator in Child Psychiatry at Children's Memorial Hospital, Chicago. Cathy coaches new moms, parents with young children, and families that are seeking balance. Cathy is a writer and she recently published her first book titled The Self-Aware Parent: 19 Lessons for Growing with Your Children. It's about discovering who you are and what kind of parent you want to be. It's also about seeing your children as teachers and respecting them for who they are. Cathy studies yoga, meditation, and mindfulness and she is a yoga teacher in her community. She also teaches part-time for the PCI. Cathy spends her days with her three beautiful daughters and her husband, Todd. Her centeredness, warmth, intellect, her amazing leadership skills, and fabulous questioning techniques are just a few of the favorite traits her students appreciate about her. To learn more about Cathy, you can visit her Web site: www.cathycassaniadams.com.

I obtained my graduate level certification from the Parent Coaching Institute in 2003 after ten years as a columnist for the Chicago Tribune, New York Daily News, Chicago Parent and as an editor for Christian Parenting Today magazine. My focus on helping parents make positive media choices for their kids primed me for the work I do today. I coach all kinds of parents—single parents, parents of toddlers, adoptive parents, parents of teens, parents who are divorcing, and parents who are overwhelmed and stressed and not satisfied with their parenting in general. My husband and I have four children—two high school aged girls and two in college. I am currently the parent coach on staff with Legacy Clinical Consultants, a private practice of clinical psychologists and social workers in Naperville, Illinois.

Parenting is the most important job on earth. By raising our children well, we are preparing them to confidently and successfully make a difference in our world. However, every now and then, this is easier said than done. The day-to-day life with our children can be both extremely joyful yet also sometimes quite challenging. And, it is within these challenges where it becomes common to lose sight of the big picture ideals for your children while yearning for the joyful interactions you always hoped would be more present. As an educator, PCI Certified Parent Coach®, and mother I have a deep understanding of both the joys and the challenges, and my goal is to support you as we close the gap between your current situation and the life you have always wanted with your children.

My passion is helping parents focus on the strengths within themselves and their children in order to experience positive changes and improved family relationships. During my 25 years of experience, I have provided guidance, education, and support to hundreds of families. As a PCI Certified Parent Coach® I support parents as they discover more effective ways to communicate with their children and acquire new tools for dealing with behavioral struggles and daily routines. I encourage parents as they gain a greater awareness of child development and family dynamics while acquiring renewed energy, confidence, and optimism for the job of parenting.

I earned my B.S. in Special Education from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio and my Masters of Education in School Counseling from Loyola University of Chicago. My experience as a teacher, counselor, and program director brought me to the PCI, but my greatest inspiration comes from my three children, ages 16, 13, and 11. My coaching practice includes meeting individually with clients in addition to providing workshops and presentations in the Chicago area.