Hi, I'm Cathleen, LCSW, LICSW — a Licensed Psychotherapist and someone who knows firsthand how confusing it can feel to be misunderstood.

Growing up neurodivergent, I spent a lot of time trying to figure out the "right" way to say things, connect with others, and manage emotions that often felt too big. I practiced social interactions like they were scripts, memorized lines from TV shows, and watched people closely — trying to crack the code of what made someone "fit in."

Even with the best of intentions, my words didn't always land the way I hoped. I often felt stuck — like I was missing the tools to be understood, even when I was trying my best.

That feeling never really left me. But it did inspire something: the belief that every kid deserves a chance to learn these skills in a way that feels safe, playful, and empowering.

This belief shaped my career and inspired the creation of Clever and Calm.

I hold a Master of Social Work from the University of Central Florida, and a dual undergraduate degree in Family & Child Sciences and Sociology from Florida State University, where I also completed a certificate in Developmental Disabilities. Over the past 10 years, my career has taken me across a wide range of clinical settings — in-home counseling with the juvenile justice system, community-based family services, and inpatient behavioral health care. I've worked in NICUs, county jails, early childhood programs, and locked psychiatric units. Throughout that time, I was constantly creating games and activities tailored to the specific needs of the kids and families I was working with. Clever & Calm has been taking shape in my mind for nearly a decade — these games are the culmination of that work, finally brought to life.

I kept seeing the same patterns everywhere I worked: miscommunication, big emotions, and good people struggling to connect. Kids don't just need to be corrected when they fall short — they need opportunities to practice emotional intelligence.

I designed these games so that both children and the adults who love them can learn together. Playtime can invite connection instead of conflict. Children can build social-emotional skills, strengthen relationships, and grow in confidence.

Clever & Calm is for the kids who feel misunderstood. For the adults who want to help, but aren't sure how.

I hope you have fun!