Hi, I'm Cathleen! Licensed Clinical Social Worker, practicing 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 connect with others, navigate social situations, and manage emotions that often felt too big. I practiced conversations like 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 intentions, my words didn't always land the way I hoped. I often felt like I was missing a set of instructions everyone else seemed to have. 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 ultimately lead to 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 earned a certificate in Developmental Disabilities. Over the past decade, I've worked with children and families in a wide range of settings, including in-home counseling through the juvenile justice system, community-based family services, inpatient behavioral health programs, the NICU, my local county jail, early childhood programs, and locked psychiatric units.

No matter where I worked, I noticed the same patterns: miscommunication, overwhelming emotions, and good people struggling to connect. I also found myself creating games, activities, and creative interventions to help children build the skills they needed to better understand themselves and others. Clever and Calm has been taking shape in my mind for nearly ten years. These games are the culmination of that work, finally brought to life.

Through both my professional experience and my own journey, I've come to believe that children don't just need correction when they struggle, they need opportunities to practice. Emotional intelligence, communication, empathy, and self-awareness are skills. Skills can be learned, practiced, and strengthened.

That's why I designed Clever and Calm to help children and the adults who love them learn together. Play becomes an opportunity for connection instead of conflict. Families can build social-emotional skills, strengthen relationships, and grow in confidence—one conversation at a time.

Clever and Calm is for the kids who feel misunderstood, and for the adults who want to help but aren't always sure where to start.

I hope you have fun!