Megan Brown Douglas, MSW, LISCW
Megan Brown Douglas is a Bellingham local, born and raised in Whatcom County. Now serving as the Program Director at the Parenting Academy, Megan has been working with Brigid Collins Family Support Center since 2001. She received her BA from Western Washington University and her Master of Social Work from Eastern Washington University and is licensed as a clinical social worker with the State of Washington.
Megan is a parent of two boys who are 17 years apart in age, but manage to be the best of friends. She is also the proud “Dog Grandmother” of a 3-year-old dog that she will always refer to as “Pup”. She enjoys spending her free time with her spouse and children, practicing culinary arts, attempting to outsmart deer, and escaping to the outdoors whenever possible.
Megan is a PCIT International certified therapist and Within Agency Trainer, an accredited Triple P Positive Parenting Program practitioner and trained in Incredible Years. She also successfully completed Child Parent Psychotherapy learning and consultation in June 2021.
Andrea Cavender, MA, LMHC
Andrea has been working with Brigid Collins Family Support Center since 2011 and now provides professional parent coaching at the Parenting Academy. She received her Bachelor of Science from California State University, Chico, and her Master in Counseling Psychology from Santa Clara University. When she is not coaching, she loves hiking, skiing, and traveling with her adventure buddies - her husband and daughter.
Andrea is a PCIT International certified therapist, an accredited Triple P Positive Parenting Program practitioner, a certified Promoting First Relationships provider, and trained in Incredible Years.
Mary Adler, MSW, LICSW
Mary is equally from the Midwest and the Northwest. She grew up in Iowa and now has been a Whatcom County resident for many years. Mary received a BA degree from the University of Iowa and a Master of Social Work degree from West Virginia University. She has been a licensed advanced social worker in Washington State since 2006.
Mary has been working with Brigid Collins Family Support Center since 2010. When Mary first began working there, her son was in kindergarten and now he is in high school - which hardly seems possible! Mary is a PCIT International certified therapist, an accredited Triple P Positive Parenting Program practitioner, and trained in Incredible Years. Mary has found that being able to share effective strategies for raising kids and teens, as well as to improve relationships and manage stress are essential services to offer. She credits these strategies for helping in her own life as well.
Five years ago, Mary’s family adopted a sweet dog and they cannot imagine life without her. She believes that her son might just adopt a dozen dogs someday!
Kari Pendray, MA, NBC-HWC
Kari Pendray is a Parenting Skills Coordinator and Coach at the Parenting Academy in Skagit. She brings 14 years of combined experience coaching parents with children birth to teen years and coaching early learning teachers. Ms. Pendray has an MA degree in Human Development and a BA degree in Psychology. She is a registered counselor in the state of Washington and a National Board Certified Health and Well-Being Coach. Kari specializes in positive behavior support and is trained in PCIT, an accredited Triple P Positive Parenting Program practitioner, a certified Incredible Years group leader, and a certified Promoting First Relationships provider. Kari is one of the Washington State Triple P Positive Parenting Program consultants for Department of Children Youth and Families. When she is practicing work/life balance she can be found with her husband, two teens, two cats and dog. She enjoys writing, reading, hiking, sailing, and taking long walks on any beach. Her favorite parenting motto is “what you pay attention to, grows”.
Tyler Thompson, BA
Tyler Thompson moved up to Bellingham from Puyallup to attend Western Washington University and has been a Bellingham local ever since. He earned a Bachelors of Science in Psychology from Western Washington University. Before joining Brigid Collins Family Support Center in February 2021, Tyler spent 4 years as a lead early childhood educator at two local preschools. From this experience, he has developed an enthusiasm for positive child development. Tyler is an accredited Triple P Positive Parenting Program practitioner, and trained in Incredible Years.
Tyler spends his free time with his husband and his cuddly tabby cat. He enjoys tabletop games, painting, writing, and playing guitar.
Larinda Tiokasin, BS
Larinda is the office assistant for the Parenting Academy. Before joining us at the Parenting Academy she interned and volunteered at Brigid Collins Family Support Center and worked as a childcare provider for Brigid Collins Family Support Center. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in psychology from Western Washington University. In her free time, she enjoys reading, painting, singing, and doing yoga.