Thriving with The Bovinos!
You ever wonder how other people do such great things with relative ease? When is it going to be your turn to catch a break? Well this is the podcast for you. Together we will share tools to overcome obstacles and not just survive but Thrive! We will meet people from all aspects of life and hear how they bet on themselves, took calculated risks, failed repeatedly and are living a life full of Joy and abundance.
Kathryn Bovino is the co-owner and creator of THRIVE Consultation and Therapy. She strives to use a dynamic, individualized approaches combined with her training, education, and experience to guide and support individuals and families to live a life of truly thriving and not just surviving.
Kathryn is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst and earned her Master’s Degree in Applied Behavior Analysis, with a Graduate Certificate in Autism, from Ball State University in 2015. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from the University of South Florida (2004) and has maintained certifications as a RDI® Program Consultant and Infant Toddler Developmental Specialist (ITDS) since 2006. Kathryn holds additional certifications as a Therapy Dog Team Handler, Life Balance Yoga Therapy Instructor and ACT Matrix Facilitator.
Brian Bovino earned his B.A at the University of Massachusetts Amherst majoring in Economics. He graduated with his Master’s degree in Applied Behavior Analysis from Ball State University. Brian is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA), a Relationship Development Intervention (RDI) Consultant and a Virginia Licensed Real Estate agent.
Brian began his work with families and children with Autism in 2004. Brian has worked in a multitude of settings including the public, private, and charter school settings as well as the Special Olympics, juvenile probation, short-term residential facilities, as a Firefighter/paramedic and currently as a Realtor. Brian enjoys sports, magic, and singing and is a 2015 international Barbershop Chorus Champion with the Westminster Chorus.
Brian and Kathryn live in Northern Virginia with their two children, dogs, cat, chickens and guinea pigs.
Thriving with The Bovinos!
From Red Zone to Green Zone: A Parent's Journey with Vicky Westra
In this episode, Vicky Westra the founder and CEO of Neuroshifts, opens up about her powerful journey as a mother of a child with autism. She reflects on the challenges of adoption, emotional struggles, and the importance of mindfulness and personal growth in her parenting experience. Vicky shares how finding her 'green zone' has been key to navigating her emotions, while also highlighting the essential role of community and empowerment for neurodiverse individuals. She discusses her shift from a corporate career to launching a coffee shop initiative that equips young adults on the autism spectrum with valuable job skills. Vicky’s mission to create a strong, supportive network for families continues to drive her work.
Key takeaways:
- Believing in your child’s potential is crucial for their growth.
- Parents must find their 'green zone' for emotional balance.
- Self-care is essential for parents to better support their children.
- Building a supportive community is vital for families of neurodiverse children.
- Mindfulness can help manage stress and anxiety in the face of challenges.
- Adoption presents unique hurdles that require resilience and patience.
- Creating empowering environments supports the growth of neurodiverse individuals.
- Faith, intention, and personal growth are at the core of Vicky’s journey.
- Parents should focus on what they can control in their child’s development.
- Gabby’s progress is a testament to the incredible potential of those with autism.
For more information, reach out to Vicky at https://www.neuro-shifts.org/.