Meet Selina

 

It was funny to overhear my seven year-old son explain that I have two jobs 1. Being a mom and 2. Being a sleep coach. It’s true! I love both my jobs. My mom job led to my sleep coaching job. 

My ten year-old daughter did not sleep easily as a baby. I nursed her, co-slept with her, wore her, pushed her in the stroller while I walked our dog. For a long time this worked for both of us. She got her sleep and I was thrilled to hold my baby. We’d waited a long time and worked hard for a baby. Eventually, however, when she was 18 months old, our systems didn’t work - and I didn’t know how to change tracks.

A friend told me about sleep coaching and I discovered Kim West, The Sleep Lady. Kim walked me through, gentle step – by - gentle step (which was all I could handle) how to teach our daughter to sleep. No tears. No trauma. It was exhausting, but we did it a loving way I could feel good about it. Finally, both of us could get the rest we desperately needed. The power of a good night’s sleep and cozy, happy routines cannot be underestimated. 

Today, everyone is rested in my family although we still need to shut everything down early once in a while. I live with my husband, two kids and our sweet old dog. We split our time between mid-coast Maine and the Lakes Region of NH. 

Luckily I have a two year-old nephew so I still get an occasional stroller walk with the dog (although my nephew doesn’t need to nap in the stroller because his moms did excellent sleep coaching work!) When I’m not being a dog walker, mom or Gentle Sleep Coach I like to write, read, garden and cook. I look forward to talking with you! 

About My Training

In July 2011 I became one of the first graduates of Kim West’s Gentle Sleep Coach Program, which is currently the most comprehensive program available. Kim has been coaching tired families for over 25 years and is an amazing mentor. She brought in experts in the fields of sleep science and parenting like…

  • Postpartum Depression from Dr. Shoshana Bennett, author and leading specialist on Postpartum Depression

  • Medical Conditions and Sleep Apnea in Children led by Dr. Lewis Kass, Director of Children’s Sleep Center

  • Sensory Processing Disorders and Sleep by Jodi Jennings, OTLR

  • GURD and Sleep, led by Dr. Anthony Loizides, pediatric gastroenterologist

The Gentle Sleep Coaching program includes clinical supervision with Kim and ongoing advanced training as requirements to maintain certification as a Gentle Sleep Coach℠. Advanced topics have included...

  • Counseling and child development

  • Secure Attachment Theory

  • Behavioral Modification Techniques and Sleep Science

  • Supporting the Breastfeeding Mom

I recently completed the Wonder Weeks training on neurodevelopmental leaps. I have attended Brown University’s Conference on Pediatric Sleep Medicine and completed the Infant Mental Health training (IMHP) held by the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto, Canada. There is always more to learn about baby sleep!

I hold a Masters in Ecological Planning and Design from The Conway School.

Get in touch

Let me know how sleep is going in your house and how I can help.