| Listening Mothers Our Facilitators “Each baby is a person from the start and needs to be known by someone.” --D.W. Winnicott |
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| We have a diverse group of highly trained facilitators that run our Listening Mothers groups. Please read below to learn more about their backgrounds, training, and experience. |
Margaret Bergmann-Ness
I have a Masters Degree in Clinical Social Work and have been working with mothers, fathers, and infants in a variety of
ways (social worker, childbirth educator, birth and postpartum doula, and psychotherapist) for over fifteen years. I have been
leading Listening Mothers groups since 2005 and love working with mothers and babies to discuss the endlessly fascinating
and challenging work of motherhood.
Lynne Brazg, M. Ed
As an educator I have always been interested in early childhood with a special emphasis on infant development and maternal
health. I have taught elementary school and I am now a school counselor at the middle school level.
Veronique Burke. LICSW
I am a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker and I am the New Parents Services director at Family Services in
Bellevue. I have always had a special interest in issues related to the early parenting years and I have specialized in the
treatment of pregnancy and postpartum mood disorders. I have dedicated my work to developing services and support for
healthy pregnancy and transition to parenthood in developing the Beyond the Baby Blues program and the Listening Mothers
program. I have lead Listening Mothers group since 1997. I always feel honored to be part of the powerful sharing that can
happen during those groups.
Jane Debrock, R.N.
I was a Public Health Nursing focusing on Maternal-Child health in the home,community and school. Teaching,counselling
about infant and child health. I then moved on to Psychiatric Nurse work with a focus on analytic and behavioral therapies
followed by grad school and my own mothering! My strong interest in infant and maternal emotional development has been
constant over the years, and has grown in depth and skill. I am Delighted to find an organization like Listening Mothers and
look forward to my involvement in the groups.
Hagit Golan
I have an M.A. Psychology (Child, Couple and Family Therapy) from Antioch University, Seattle. In my work I focus on
early childhood mental health. I am thrilled to be part of the Listening Mothers program, supporting mothers and babies as
they build the foundations for their lifelong relationships.
Carla Hershman, LICSW
I am a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker. I have completed a post graduate program in Infant Mental Health
through the University of Washington’s School of Nursing, and am a current candidate for the Child Psychotherapy Training
Program at Seattle Psychoanalytic Society and Institute. I have a private practice in North Seattle and work as the Early
Childhood Services Clinician at the SJCC. My work and research for the last 10 years has specialized in adults and children
exposed to violence, young children with special needs, and infant-parent psychotherapy
Rachel Kalvert, MSW
I have a Masters in Social Work (MSW) from New York University and completed an Infant Observation post-graduate
certificate program, the training for which included an in-depth examination of a child's emotional world in their first year. In
addition, I am a Clinical Associate at Seattle Psychoanalytic Society and Institute. My private practice is located on Capitol
Hill and my focus is working with new mothers and mothers of premature babies. I am thrilled to be a facilitator since I
strongly believe that Listening Mothers supports and strengthens the mother-baby relationship in many important ways.
Sylvia Kurin
I am a Clinical Psychologist. I received my degree in Uruguay in 1999. I am currently completing my second year of a
Masters in Social Work at the University of Washington. I have also completed the Certificate Program in Infant Mental
Health at the University of Washington in 2003. I have specialized in the area of infant-parent psychotherapy. I have been
providing child, adult, and family psychotherapy for 7 years. I am currently providing individual psychotherapy for mothers
with Post Partum Disorders and adjustment to parenthood. My first language is Spanish and I provide bilingual and bicultural
services. I am currently leading two Listening Mothers groups in both Spanish and English. Both of them are at Family
Services in Bellevue. I have one child, and I am expecting my second son in September 2006.
Mi nombre es Sylvia Kurin. Soy Psicóloga Clínica. Recibí mi título universitario en Uruguay en el año 1999. Actualmente,
estoy cursando mi segundo año de maestría en Asistencia Social en la Universidad de Washington. Además, he recibido la
certificación como especialista en psicoterapia de la primera infancia en la Universidad de Washington en el año 2003. He
proveído servicios de psicoterapia infantil, de adultos y familiar por más de 7 años. Actualmente, estoy proveyendo
psicoterapia individual para madres con Depresión Post Parto y otras dificultades relacionadas con la adaptación a la
maternidad. Mi idioma nativo es el español. En el presente estoy liderando dos grupos de Listening Mothers, uno en español y
otro en ingles. Ambos se llevan a cabo en Family Services en Bellevue. Soy madre de un niño y estoy esperando mi segundo
niño en Septiembre.
Malka Appelbaum Maizel
I have a Masters in Psychology degree from Seattle University and a Ph.D. in Sociology and a Masters in Public Health, both
from the University Of Washington. I am currently working at Catholic Community Services in Seattle and Kent as a Child
and Family Therapist/Case Manager and am certified as a Child Mental Health Specialist. I am also a consulting therapist for
two head-start preschools in Seattle where I offer consultation to teachers and parents on early childhood mental health
issues and provide play therapy for young children who are struggling with emotional issues. I have lead many Listening
Mothers workshops and parenting classes in a variety of settings. I am a certified leader of Guttman Institute’s program of
“Bringing Baby Home.” Currently I am part of the team that is piloting the Reflective Parenting Workshops.
I am trained in psychotherapy informed by attachment theory, existential psychology, child development and cognitive-
behavioral therapy.
In the variety of settings that I have worked in, I have dedicated myself to supporting parents in their quest to be nurturing
and attuned to the emotional needs of their children and their own needs as parents so they can be the as good and effective
parents as they aspire to be.
Yaffa Maritz
I am the co-founder and clinical director of the Listening Mothers program. I have a master degree in clinical psychology and
am a licensed mental health counselor with advanced training in Infant Mental Health. I have been a strong advocate on
behalf of babies and their families, believing that by supporting parents and creating a safe environment for them to explore
emotional issues, we set the foundation for their kids emotional health.
Krista Murtfeldt
I have been doing groups with Listening Mothers since April 2005. I truly enjoy the opportunity to meet and engage with new
mothers and their babies. Helping to facilitate and expand a healthy attachment between mother and baby is exciting and
important to me.
I have been a social worker since 1998 and have worked in foster care, international adoptions and now perinatal social
work. I have been a perinatal social worker at University of Washington Medical Center working with high risk pregnancies
since 2001. I look forward to continuing my work with Listening Mothers..
Deb Mowat
I am a psychotherapist working with children and adults. I have a masters in clinical psychology from Seattle University, and
a doctorate in communication. Several years ago, I began advanced training in infant development and mental health. I also
have post graduate training in group facilitation. I have a long standing interest in helping to strengthen families. One of my
first jobs, in the late seventies, was to organize a parent education program.
I am a Listening Mothers facilitator because I believe it is so important for new parents to have a safe and supportive place
to experience and understand the many feelings that inevitably come with having a new baby. In a group setting parents
come to appreciate that they are not alone with their questions and thoughts. As parents learn more about their own
experience they build capacity to attune to baby’s experience.
Susan Nelson, MA LMHC
I am a Psychotherapist and a Certified Group Psychotherapist with post-graduate advanced training in infant mental health
and parent infant psychotherapy at the Northwest Family Development Center. I have a private practice in the
Greenwood/Phinney neighborhood of North Seattle where I work primarily with individuals, couples and groups. In addition to
working as a Listening Mothers facilitator, I am also a Secure Beginnings therapist specializing in working with pregnant and
postpartum moms as they adjust to parenthood. As a parent and a therapist I am particularly interested in how each of us
began our earliest relationships and how they affect our later life experiences. Listening Mothers is a wonderful setting to
begin exploring the challenging experience of mothering and the development of the emotional life of your baby in a safe and
supportive group environment.
Ambre Olsen, MD
Intrigued by the lives of women and babies, I first trained and practiced as an OBGYN. Now, a practicing mother, I am
dedicated to exploring the emotional life of parents and babies and am retraining as a psychotherapist. To Listening Mothers
I bring my dedication to emotional health, growth and development, a deep interest in the complexities of communication, and
commitment to coming to better understanding and shared meaning making in the experience of becoming the mothers we
want to be. I am pleased to open up a new location for meeting in Columbia City.
Patricia Spencer, Infant Family Specialist
As an early childhood educator, I have been working with families and children birth to five years of age in varying capacities
(teacher, teacher trainer, consultant, home visitor) for over 15 years. I completed the program in Infant Mental Health at the
University of Washington so I am particularly interested in the first years of life as they unfold within the family. I am
currently a postpartum doula, working with families in their homes after the birth of a baby, which provides a unique
opportunity to witness and experience this unfolding.
Chuan-Chuan Tsai
I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and have devoted much of my studies in learning how to promote emotional health
in individual and family relationships in the community that we live in. I believe that healthy community has to be built from
ground up. Paying attention to create healthy attachment and emotional growth between mother/father and the baby is the
foundation for future healthy development and healthy community. I am thrilled to be part of the journey with mothers and
babies in the Listening Mothers Group process.
Teresa Williams
I have worked as a social worker for the past 10 years with children and families in a variety of settings, and currently, as a
Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker, providing support and advocacy for mothers and babies at the University of
Washington Medical Center. I also have a longstanding interest in mind/body health and am a certified yoga instructor with
experience teaching yoga and meditation. I appreciate the opportunity within Listening Mothers to practice deep awareness
and cultivate positive states of well being for both mothers and babies.
I have a Masters Degree in Clinical Social Work and have been working with mothers, fathers, and infants in a variety of
ways (social worker, childbirth educator, birth and postpartum doula, and psychotherapist) for over fifteen years. I have been
leading Listening Mothers groups since 2005 and love working with mothers and babies to discuss the endlessly fascinating
and challenging work of motherhood.
Lynne Brazg, M. Ed
As an educator I have always been interested in early childhood with a special emphasis on infant development and maternal
health. I have taught elementary school and I am now a school counselor at the middle school level.
Veronique Burke. LICSW
I am a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker and I am the New Parents Services director at Family Services in
Bellevue. I have always had a special interest in issues related to the early parenting years and I have specialized in the
treatment of pregnancy and postpartum mood disorders. I have dedicated my work to developing services and support for
healthy pregnancy and transition to parenthood in developing the Beyond the Baby Blues program and the Listening Mothers
program. I have lead Listening Mothers group since 1997. I always feel honored to be part of the powerful sharing that can
happen during those groups.
Jane Debrock, R.N.
I was a Public Health Nursing focusing on Maternal-Child health in the home,community and school. Teaching,counselling
about infant and child health. I then moved on to Psychiatric Nurse work with a focus on analytic and behavioral therapies
followed by grad school and my own mothering! My strong interest in infant and maternal emotional development has been
constant over the years, and has grown in depth and skill. I am Delighted to find an organization like Listening Mothers and
look forward to my involvement in the groups.
Hagit Golan
I have an M.A. Psychology (Child, Couple and Family Therapy) from Antioch University, Seattle. In my work I focus on
early childhood mental health. I am thrilled to be part of the Listening Mothers program, supporting mothers and babies as
they build the foundations for their lifelong relationships.
Carla Hershman, LICSW
I am a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker. I have completed a post graduate program in Infant Mental Health
through the University of Washington’s School of Nursing, and am a current candidate for the Child Psychotherapy Training
Program at Seattle Psychoanalytic Society and Institute. I have a private practice in North Seattle and work as the Early
Childhood Services Clinician at the SJCC. My work and research for the last 10 years has specialized in adults and children
exposed to violence, young children with special needs, and infant-parent psychotherapy
Rachel Kalvert, MSW
I have a Masters in Social Work (MSW) from New York University and completed an Infant Observation post-graduate
certificate program, the training for which included an in-depth examination of a child's emotional world in their first year. In
addition, I am a Clinical Associate at Seattle Psychoanalytic Society and Institute. My private practice is located on Capitol
Hill and my focus is working with new mothers and mothers of premature babies. I am thrilled to be a facilitator since I
strongly believe that Listening Mothers supports and strengthens the mother-baby relationship in many important ways.
Sylvia Kurin
I am a Clinical Psychologist. I received my degree in Uruguay in 1999. I am currently completing my second year of a
Masters in Social Work at the University of Washington. I have also completed the Certificate Program in Infant Mental
Health at the University of Washington in 2003. I have specialized in the area of infant-parent psychotherapy. I have been
providing child, adult, and family psychotherapy for 7 years. I am currently providing individual psychotherapy for mothers
with Post Partum Disorders and adjustment to parenthood. My first language is Spanish and I provide bilingual and bicultural
services. I am currently leading two Listening Mothers groups in both Spanish and English. Both of them are at Family
Services in Bellevue. I have one child, and I am expecting my second son in September 2006.
Mi nombre es Sylvia Kurin. Soy Psicóloga Clínica. Recibí mi título universitario en Uruguay en el año 1999. Actualmente,
estoy cursando mi segundo año de maestría en Asistencia Social en la Universidad de Washington. Además, he recibido la
certificación como especialista en psicoterapia de la primera infancia en la Universidad de Washington en el año 2003. He
proveído servicios de psicoterapia infantil, de adultos y familiar por más de 7 años. Actualmente, estoy proveyendo
psicoterapia individual para madres con Depresión Post Parto y otras dificultades relacionadas con la adaptación a la
maternidad. Mi idioma nativo es el español. En el presente estoy liderando dos grupos de Listening Mothers, uno en español y
otro en ingles. Ambos se llevan a cabo en Family Services en Bellevue. Soy madre de un niño y estoy esperando mi segundo
niño en Septiembre.
Malka Appelbaum Maizel
I have a Masters in Psychology degree from Seattle University and a Ph.D. in Sociology and a Masters in Public Health, both
from the University Of Washington. I am currently working at Catholic Community Services in Seattle and Kent as a Child
and Family Therapist/Case Manager and am certified as a Child Mental Health Specialist. I am also a consulting therapist for
two head-start preschools in Seattle where I offer consultation to teachers and parents on early childhood mental health
issues and provide play therapy for young children who are struggling with emotional issues. I have lead many Listening
Mothers workshops and parenting classes in a variety of settings. I am a certified leader of Guttman Institute’s program of
“Bringing Baby Home.” Currently I am part of the team that is piloting the Reflective Parenting Workshops.
I am trained in psychotherapy informed by attachment theory, existential psychology, child development and cognitive-
behavioral therapy.
In the variety of settings that I have worked in, I have dedicated myself to supporting parents in their quest to be nurturing
and attuned to the emotional needs of their children and their own needs as parents so they can be the as good and effective
parents as they aspire to be.
Yaffa Maritz
I am the co-founder and clinical director of the Listening Mothers program. I have a master degree in clinical psychology and
am a licensed mental health counselor with advanced training in Infant Mental Health. I have been a strong advocate on
behalf of babies and their families, believing that by supporting parents and creating a safe environment for them to explore
emotional issues, we set the foundation for their kids emotional health.
Krista Murtfeldt
I have been doing groups with Listening Mothers since April 2005. I truly enjoy the opportunity to meet and engage with new
mothers and their babies. Helping to facilitate and expand a healthy attachment between mother and baby is exciting and
important to me.
I have been a social worker since 1998 and have worked in foster care, international adoptions and now perinatal social
work. I have been a perinatal social worker at University of Washington Medical Center working with high risk pregnancies
since 2001. I look forward to continuing my work with Listening Mothers..
Deb Mowat
I am a psychotherapist working with children and adults. I have a masters in clinical psychology from Seattle University, and
a doctorate in communication. Several years ago, I began advanced training in infant development and mental health. I also
have post graduate training in group facilitation. I have a long standing interest in helping to strengthen families. One of my
first jobs, in the late seventies, was to organize a parent education program.
I am a Listening Mothers facilitator because I believe it is so important for new parents to have a safe and supportive place
to experience and understand the many feelings that inevitably come with having a new baby. In a group setting parents
come to appreciate that they are not alone with their questions and thoughts. As parents learn more about their own
experience they build capacity to attune to baby’s experience.
Susan Nelson, MA LMHC
I am a Psychotherapist and a Certified Group Psychotherapist with post-graduate advanced training in infant mental health
and parent infant psychotherapy at the Northwest Family Development Center. I have a private practice in the
Greenwood/Phinney neighborhood of North Seattle where I work primarily with individuals, couples and groups. In addition to
working as a Listening Mothers facilitator, I am also a Secure Beginnings therapist specializing in working with pregnant and
postpartum moms as they adjust to parenthood. As a parent and a therapist I am particularly interested in how each of us
began our earliest relationships and how they affect our later life experiences. Listening Mothers is a wonderful setting to
begin exploring the challenging experience of mothering and the development of the emotional life of your baby in a safe and
supportive group environment.
Ambre Olsen, MD
Intrigued by the lives of women and babies, I first trained and practiced as an OBGYN. Now, a practicing mother, I am
dedicated to exploring the emotional life of parents and babies and am retraining as a psychotherapist. To Listening Mothers
I bring my dedication to emotional health, growth and development, a deep interest in the complexities of communication, and
commitment to coming to better understanding and shared meaning making in the experience of becoming the mothers we
want to be. I am pleased to open up a new location for meeting in Columbia City.
Patricia Spencer, Infant Family Specialist
As an early childhood educator, I have been working with families and children birth to five years of age in varying capacities
(teacher, teacher trainer, consultant, home visitor) for over 15 years. I completed the program in Infant Mental Health at the
University of Washington so I am particularly interested in the first years of life as they unfold within the family. I am
currently a postpartum doula, working with families in their homes after the birth of a baby, which provides a unique
opportunity to witness and experience this unfolding.
Chuan-Chuan Tsai
I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and have devoted much of my studies in learning how to promote emotional health
in individual and family relationships in the community that we live in. I believe that healthy community has to be built from
ground up. Paying attention to create healthy attachment and emotional growth between mother/father and the baby is the
foundation for future healthy development and healthy community. I am thrilled to be part of the journey with mothers and
babies in the Listening Mothers Group process.
Teresa Williams
I have worked as a social worker for the past 10 years with children and families in a variety of settings, and currently, as a
Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker, providing support and advocacy for mothers and babies at the University of
Washington Medical Center. I also have a longstanding interest in mind/body health and am a certified yoga instructor with
experience teaching yoga and meditation. I appreciate the opportunity within Listening Mothers to practice deep awareness
and cultivate positive states of well being for both mothers and babies.
