About Dr. Ada

Change has always intrigued me. I have not only experienced much change in my own life, but have made the study of change my life-long project. I help individuals, couples and families become expert navigators of change throughout the family life cycle.

For the past 25 years I have worked with people experiencing change. Time and again individuals, couples, and families have been amazed at how smoothly I help them navigate important transitions and safely conquer new terrain, while keeping connectivity and giving room for growth.

I use my expertise to open safe spaces for nurturing transformative conversations that facilitate change. As a result, stress, confusion, resistance, and conflict are minimized. You will have more collaboration, energy, and creativity to create the future you want. I bring my rich personal experience with change and my professional knowledge and research about relationships to solve breakdowns in dialogue and relationships.

Once a positive dialogue is established, people attest that positive interactions increase, genuine connections are formed, and their happiness and joy show it. I have done this in more than 20 countries on 3 continents, thanks to my bi-lingual heritage, and have enabled thousands to make lasting changes in their lives and families.

In bringing my personal experiences with change, art, travel, and international living, I help people effectively manage relationships and s change. I help them understand, orchestrate, and enjoy the challenges and opportunities that change brings. My main passion and mission in life is to assist individuals, couples, and families in discovering the power of dialogue and joyfully embracing the path of life-long learning, change, and growth.

I'm a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (licensed in Delaware and Texas) I have a Ph.D. in Organizational Behavior, with an emphasis on change processes and dialogue from Union Institute & University. I have taught Human Development for Concordia University and Family Counseling, Cognitive and Behavioral Change Theories, Psychology of Women, Parenting, and Adult Development for Indiana University and Andrews University. My Master is in Educational and Developmental Psychology, from Andrews University, and I was trained as psychotherapist in collaborative language systems at the Houston-Galveston Institute.

I enjoy writing for the public, and my articles have appeared in North American, Latin American, and European, publications including El Hispano News, South Bend Tribune, Adventist Review, El Centinela, Viva Mejor, Dinamica, Dialogue, Theologische Hochschule Friedensau, Proceedings of the Jornada Brasileira de Psicologia do Aconselhamiento Cristao, Proceedings of the First ICF Coaching Research Symposium, and several professional newsletters. I have authored manuals, courses, and workbooks that have been widely used. I am also the author of a forthcoming book about how dialogue facilitates change.

In addition, my love for and compassion of people, cultures, groups and system dynamics, helps me grasp concepts, issue, connections and nuances of meaning that others often overlook. Combine these with an upbeat and positive personality and outlook on life, enthusiasm, and ability to connect, support and encourage, and it is easy to see why people I work with trust me, and feel I bring them hope, value and practical knowledge that empowers them for change and growth.

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When I'm not coaching people to change. . .

I like to juggle work, leisure, spirituality, fun, mind stretching pursuits, music, crafts, and friendships. Better yet if I can combine several of them at once! I love traveling anywhere, and by any means, sometimes with no place in particular as my destination. I especially enjoy spending time with my 2 adult sons and their loved ones (who have certainly challenged me to keep growing!).

 Because I was born in an island, never far from the ocean, I get my best ideas and spend my best moments in life by the sea, lulled by the sound of the surf. If that is not feasible, any body of water would do for me. Maybe the combination of change and predictability found in the waves and waterways, together with the constancy and rhythm that carves change one small step at a time, help me to better think about and understand the process of change.

I strongly believe. . .
 

• you were born to be in relations, and to change and grow throughout your life!
• you have a natural path for relating to others and for change. Discovering that natural path facilitates relationships and change, while ignoring it can set you up for failure.
• your brain is capable of learning and evolving all through the life cycle.
• you can turn conflict into collaboration if you put your effort into it and learn the skills to make it possible.
• you are worth more than most people believe. Knowing your value can inspires you to give your best to your relationships and to continue to change and grow.
• you need to understand change as a holistic process that encompasses mind, body, spirit, and emotions.
• you need to envision how you want you and your relationships to be. Then align your vision with your heart’s meaning system, and take decisive action toward your goals.
• you change more easily in collaboration with others.

you can only change and grow if you face the truth. Simply put, this means to face what needs to be faced, see what needs to be seen, hear what needs to be heard, feel what needs to be felt, and do what needs to be done. No ifs, ands, or buts. Works every time!