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Accompanying each other
Our Mission
To leverage cutting edge research, timeless contemplative wisdom, and the power of human relationships to heal the crisis of connection fueling disease in our communities.
Our Story
Piglet sidled up to Pooh from behind.
“Pooh,” he whispered.
“Yes, Piglet?”
“Nothing,” said Piglet, taking Pooh’s paw,
“I just wanted to be sure of you.”-
-AA Milne
In 2015, while serving as the Director of Counseling and Learning Support for a middle and high school system, I was invited by an organization called Call to Care to bring my team on a retreat. I met John Makransky, a Boston College professor in Religious Studies and Tibetan Monk, during this retreat. His Sustainable Compassion Meditation profoundly impacted me, awakening a deep sense of abiding love and the realization that I was loved. This experience went beyond my lifelong meditation practice, revealing the "me" underneath the stories and trauma.
Completely committed, I immediately enrolled in the yearlong training led by Makransky.
Eager to share this transformative work, I initiated a small practice group at my school after completing the training. Initially, the parents were strangers, but quickly they formed a tight bond. When the class was over they asked if we could continue meeting, everyone had found salve and comfort in being together, learning to deepen in care and compassion, and felt safe to show up authentically.
I began adding more classes. And they quickly filled. Clearly, there was a need I was filling.
Parents said things like:
"This has changed my life."
"I realize I’m not alone."
"I am finally able to open up."
Recognizing the magic of community, they urged me to make these classes available to a wider audience. Before expanding, I wanted to incorporate concrete skills for caregivers dealing with challenges in parenting. Around this time, I discovered Dr. Adele Lafrance and her emotion-focused family therapy (EFFT), which was the perfect addition to creating a genuinely useful program for parents.
Training a select group of parents from the original cohort as facilitators, we birthed what we then called "Parent Care" – a 10-week social-emotional curriculum that combines relational science, contemplative practices, and practical skills for caregivers all within the safety of community. This year, we have changed the name to Accompanied for Caregivers, but the heart and soul of our original curriculum are the same. In changing our name, we hope to widen our umbrella of services and the populations we serve in the future.
Leadership
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Dr. Kelly Moore, PhD, LISCW
FOUNDER AND FAMILY THERAPIST
I have dedicated over 35 years to the field of adolescent and family mental health. As the Director of Counseling and Learning Support, I crafted social-emotional curricula for grades 5-12, established a comprehensive parent education program, and developed a well-being curriculum for faculty and staff. My passion lies in working with parents, as I've witnessed firsthand that enhancing the well-being of parents and caretakers is the most impactful way to support children and teens. I developed Accompanied to provide parents, caregivers, educators, and mental health professionals the tools, practices, and information needed to support youth and improve their own wellbeing in the process.
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Julie Jiang
DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS and FACILITATOR
My journey with Dr. Moore began at EPS, where Accompanied was being offered. Facing challenges with one of my kids, I joined Accompanied seeking solutions. Unlike other programs, Accompanied focuses on "ME" first, offering a unique perspective on parent-child relationships. It emphasizes establishing a grounded self before connecting with kids and developing effective parenting techniques. I'm absorbed in its wisdom till today. Now a proud facilitator, I hope more parents embrace this transformative approach. Accompanied isn't just about parenting; it's a way of living, teaching valuable life lessons beyond traditional methods.
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Anne Pillsbury
DIRECTOR OF MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS
Our Facilitators
Connect and Work with Us
Consulting
Support for professionals balancing the joy and challenges of working with youth