Who AM I?

I am not a professional psychologist, by any stretch of the imagination.

I did, however, grow up during the time when “pop psychology” was gaining

interest.  Every women’s magazine was full of advise about what was wrong

with most women, most men, their relationships with each other, their children, their parents- even their dogs and cats.  All of this examination of the psyche of yourself and others can start to rub off, to the point where you start to think you might really know something.  Taking Psych in college only reinforced that point.

By trade I am/was a professional musician, a classical singer to be exact.  To be an excellent singer you have to understand the mindset and nuances of your text/character.  Contrary to

popular belief that opera is boring, the best opera singers are also the best actors.  I worked hard at being the best singer and performer I could be and developed my skills of observation

in order to portray, as accurately as possible, what my character was feeling and expressing. 

I honed my empathy skills. I am still working on them, as well as, my sympathy skills.

After living in a family with Tourette’s Syndrome for over 45 years I have observed how the condition is expresses in a number of ways, through 4 generations.

 I do not have Tourette’s Syndrome.  I am not an expert on Tourette’s.  I am an observer who is highly curious about how other families survive and thrive with and through the condition.  Hence this website and a blog to go along with it.  I hope you will find any information helpful and will add your own 2 cents worth, as long as it is not snarky.

By the way, I do have a double major in Applied Voice and Music Education from Auburn University, a Master’s of Music in Voice from the University of Alabama and “the dangling

DMA” in Applied Voice from Eastman School of Music.