Hi! I'm Edina Adler, LCSW

Stepmom, Stepfamily Coach, Mindfulness-Based Therapist and, Certified Family Court Mediator
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Edina Adler (MA, LCSW) coaches parents, couples and stepfamilies – her specialty. Her goal is to help families transform conflict into opportunities for deeper intimacy and compassion so that everyone can thrive.

Personal Background

Starting in 2009, Edina has been a full-time step-parent for two amazing children who are both in college. Both of her parents were sculptors, and she honors their influence in her practice, often utilizing art and play therapy.  She sometimes brings along Pluto, a therapy dog.

Professional Experience

After working with traumatized children and parents in the foster care system, Edina was trained to be a Therapeutic Foster Parent, and in turn trained other parents.  She has worked as a counselor in an Oakland middle school and a local charter high school.  A long-time practitioner of mindfulness-based meditation, she brings an interest in spiritual traditions blended with a passion for the therapeutic applications of the arts, especially drama and art therapy.
Education
Edina earned an M.S.W. from UC Berkeley and an M.A. from New York University’s School of Education. She holds a certification as a Family Court (child abuse and neglect cases) and Divorce mediator, and practiced in both New Mexico and New York. Edina studied Expressive Arts Therapies at Pratt Institute in New York as well as Dr. Jane Goldberg in Palo Alto, CA.

She has taught conflict resolution, mediation and managing diversity in nonprofit and school settings part-time for almost 20 years, and been a college adjunct instructor, on the East Coast and in the Southwest.

Speaker Services

Edina is available for speaking engagements and is an authority on the topics of: stepfamily dynamics, parenting and transforming conflict using mindfulness and Non-Violent Communication ™ to achieve a more loving home environment.
Training

  • Gottman Institute – Gottman Method Couples Therapy Clinical Training Levels 1,2
  • Bader Pearson Couples Institute Training
  • Jai Institute Parent Coaching Training
  • Hand in Hand Parenting Training
  • Stepfamily Coach Training – The Stepfamily Foundation, NYC
  • Masters in Social Welfare – UC Berkeley, CA
  • Masters in High School Education & Performing Arts – New York University, NY
  • Boddhisattva Peace Training for helping professionals – Silver City, NM
  • Mindfulness Training and Vajrayana Buddhist practitioner since 1995
  • Non-Violent Communication – Oakland, CA

 

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Interview with Edina Adler

#1 Best Seller in THREE categories!

#1 in Parenting | #1 Child Development & Psychology | #1 Child Development

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The Stories of Success

“My husband and I can’t thank you enough for being there for all of us. We have incorporated some of the things we learned from you into our everyday lives. It was already a tough transition for all of us, especially for our son. We were really worried he would completely spiral out of control.”

Lana, Parent of Teenager

“Edina is extremely gifted in working with children and adolescents. Simply put, she was the most effective social worker that I worked with during my years as a clinician… Edina’s greatest strength may be her ability to develop rapport with almost any child, in a short amount of time.”

Brian, Therapist

“Edina is skillful and professional, and yet always warm, accepting of divergent views. She has a lovely way of creating a safe environment for others. As a mediator, I have seen her handle personal attack with grace, and with great compassion for the other person’s anguish.”

Melissa, Montessori Principal

Take the Quiz to discover the key challenges that affect stepfamilies.