Emily Kearns PhD, MBA
FOUNDER
care Consultant and Coach
Emily’s personal experience care partnering with her parents, who both lived with dementia, was life-changing, catapulting her into what is now her first love—reframing dementia and supporting those who live with it.
Emily is committed to change-making, including innovative programming and community education, so that individuals living with dementia and their care partners may continue to live well, experiencing joy and meaningful engagement in communities that support and celebrate them and the life they choose.
Emily is a Care Consultant and Coach for Revive and Thrive’s, Dementia Resource Network (DRN). In that role she offers consultations, coaching, and supports as part of our Dementia Resource Network (DRN) team. Emily has facilitated a monthly memory-making café, weekly dementia-supportive fitness program at the Y, Dementia Dialogues at the public library, and retreats. She has also created a multimedia art installation called Dementia’s Way.
Emily is currently the Coordinator for Dementia Friendly Baltimore County and was formerly the lead for Dementia Friendly Massachusetts as well as a consultant with the Massachusetts Lifespan Respite Coalition, evaluating innovative respite programs and hosting a TV show called, Caring for Others, Caring for Ourselves.
Emily earned a doctorate in sociology from Boston College and an Executive MBA from Northeastern University. She is also a Dementia Specialist, Somatic Experiencing Practitioner (SEP), Reiki Master, and End of Life Doula. You can find her profile also on Psychology Today’s, Find a Therapist listing for both the Baltimore, Maryland and Andover, Massachusetts areas. (www.kearnsconsulting.org)
Mary Childs
creative arts specialist and Facilitator
Mary Childs is a Creative Arts Specialist whose extensive background working with artists to foster their creativity has led her to the understanding that creative activities stimulate and support the brain and soul in surprising, unconventional, and gratifying ways.
While accompanying her parents through their journeys with Dementia and Alzheimer’s, Mary recognized the value in using the arts and creative experiences to enhance the lives of people suffering from these disabilities, as well those of their care partners. By providing alternative avenues of expression and connection, Mary believes that we are able to have continued access to the integral parts of ourselves, no matter what our challenges.
She has provided her services through Memory Cafes, Respite Programs on dementia friendly cruises with Holland America, and as a Facilitator through Revive and Thrive retreat programs.
Mary resides on Cape Cod and Western Massachusetts.
Dementia Resource Network Team
Providing Care Consultation and Coaching
Emily Kearns, PhD (see photo and bio above)
CARE CONSULTANT AND COACH
Toby O’Leary, LICSW
CARE CONSULTANT AND COACH
Toby is a clinical social worker and dementia consultant with 35 years of experience in providing individual, family, group and couple's therapy to adults and elders. Toby worked for many years at Harvard Community Health Plan/Vanguard Associates and Massachusetts General Hospital. For the past 10 years, Toby has had a private practice in Andover, MA. Toby also has personal experience being a care partner for her spouse, who lives with dementia, for more than 5 years. She appreciates how access to resources, good communication, problem solving, and support can truly improve the quality of lives for those living with this challenging and often isolating condition.
