About Catherine

HER PROFESSIONAL HISTORY:
Catherine studied Speech and Language Therapy in Belgium and France. She worked in hospitals but also in schools with a pilot project for the integration of hearing impaired children. Faithful to the relational approach that seduced her in her Belgium studies, Catherine continued her training at the Claude Chassagny’s workshop. The latter, father of the “Pédagogie Relationnelle du Langage” is a mentor.
Knowing that her departure to the United States was imminent and presuming that French Speech and Language Pathology would probably not have a future in the US (1986), Catherine obtained her diploma as a Teacher of French as a Second Language (FLE). In New York, she first taught at the Alliance Française, then became a French teacher for executives in French and American firms (Telecom, Banque Paris-Pays Bas, various American law firms ...)
But she missed Speech and Language Therapy. At the end of the 1980s, she was hired by the Lycée Français de NY, which created for her and with her, a position of Learning Specialist within the school. Thus Catherine opened the way for French-speaking Speech and Language Therapists to practice in NY. She participated in the creation of a Specialized Support Team for the establishment. Passionate about alternative educations and her profession, she put her skills at the service of the teacher’s team and contributed to give tools to the educators with whom she worked hand in hand, in a beautiful synergy.
During her years of practice in the USA, Catherine researched and discovered the resources available in her field in the United States. She thereafter became certified in the Orton Gillingham's multisensory approach.
Then came Catherine's coaching in ©Aider à Dire, Aimer à Dire and the creation of books and materials under her Trademark CatrA, les Aimer, les Aider, leur Apprendre en s’Amusant™ (Love them, Help them, Teach them with fun).
A FEW PERSONAL WORDS:
From Belgium, my home country, I had instilled in me a way of being that included warmth, friendliness, and welcoming to all. From France, the land of my family and ancestors, Iinherited the language and culture. Great Britain and my husband taught me English humor- the valuable skill of not taking oneself seriously. Argentina opened to me its grandiose horizons and the singing language of the Porteños. It is in New York City that I put down my suitcases. I instantly fell in love with this magnificent city where I founded my family, surrounded by the enthusiasm, the energy, and the solidarity of New Yorkers. My two sons grew up in a bilingual family and in a multicultural environment.
I am passionate about life. I am thankful to my strong friendships with open minded people coming from all walks of life.

As a Speech and Language Therapist and Learning Specialist, communication and language are central to my interests.