About Dr. Elaine

Dr. Elaine was born in Latvia, and didn’t encounter a real banana until age 6. After moving to the U.S. with her family in 2nd grade, she spent her youth riding the subways of Brooklyn and sneaking Scooby Doo episodes when she should’ve been studying.

Despite this, she pulled off a Ph.D. in Clinical-Community Psychology from Michigan State University, served as the Director of the Psychological Services Center at University of Illinois (Urbana-Champaign) for 12 years, and launched her own consulting business in 2016.

Dr. Elaine is honored to be the recipient of the University of Illinois Academic Professional Award, and just as proud of making it out of the Grand Canyon with a 35 lb. backpack, after descending into its depths for her 50th birthday.

Dr. Elaine’s writing, workshops, presentations, and consultations synthesize more than 25 years of experience in the fields of conflict, communication, restorative justice, leadership, and resilience.

She’s also learned a thing or two about conflict and communication during her 25 years of marriage and parenting.

Put that together and it’s 50 years of conflict and communication training!