Profiles

Sue Simonson, ICCE (International Certified Childbirth Educator), Emeritus, has worked as a childbirth instructor, parent educator and sexuality educator for the past 40 years, specializing in teaching pregnant and parenting teens.  She is certified as both a Gottman Educator and a Happiest Baby on the Block Educator. She has taught Bringing Baby Home classes for the past 10 years at Kaiser, improving couples' communication skills as they bring their new baby home. She has been presenting workshops in the community on Family Communication Regarding Sexuality for over thirty years and is dedicated to helping parents and their children build a foundation of open communication about sexual issues.  As a mother of four, she feels strongly that this communication will result in healthier sexual decisions by teens and a brighter future for our children.

 Sue has presented to thousands of parents and students throughout the years at schools, churches and various community groups, as well as, being an invited national ‘Think Tank’ participant on Parent/Child Connection for the Annie E. Casey Foundation and Educational Training Research Associates (ETR).  She has presented sexuality programs for 19 years through an Office of Family Planning Grant with American River Hospital and Sutter Medical Center, Sacramento.  She has led moms' groups and taught menopause, birth control, childbirth and relationship related courses with Kaiser Permanente for 10 years. Sue has been a sought after presenter at such conferences as the State Office of Family Planning Leadership Conferences, CACSAP (California Alliance Concerned with School Age Parenting and Pregnancy Prevention), CEWAER (California Elected Women’s Association for Education and Research), La Leche League area wide conferences, Youth for Christ Tough Choices Conference, Yolo County Child Development Conference, CLASS Convention (Church Leadership and Service Seminars, Inc.) as well as a regular spokesperson on TV, radio and in print sharing the message:

"Children not taught by their parents, will be taught by the world" - Akan

Sue’s goal is to help equip families to connect strongly and communicate more easily and accurately about sexuality, building a foundation to help youth to make healthy sexual decisions enhancing their chances for a brighter future.  Youth presenters, that open parent’s eyes to the reality of what is going on sexually with our youth today, often accompany her.

Sue has also added the important work of Harvey Karp and John Gottman to her certifications, offering both Happiest Baby on the Block presentations and Bringing Baby Home workshops. These enhance both the skills of parents and the satisfaction in the parenting and couple relationship.

Sarah Miller, CCLS has worked with Without Regret for nearly 30 years. She began speaking as a teen presenter, providing parents with a glimpse into the realities of teen sexuality and the complex pressures they face. She grew her love of teaching and encouraging open, honest, clear communication about puberty and sexuality to include running workshops for parents of children of all ages, as well as regularly teaching and co-teaching personal growth classes for 5th through 8th graders.

Sarah is a certified Child Life Specialist with a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Sacramento State University and a master’s degree in child development/education, with an emphasis on hospitalized children, from Mills College. She has worked as a child life/development specialist for a private company and as an independent contractor in San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties for more than a decade and has recently returned to her hometown of Sacramento. She is a birth and postpartum doula and specializes in preparing children to attend the birth of a sibling. Sarah has a passion for supporting families through all ages and stages of development and believes that open, honest communication about difficult topics is key in building loving, supportive, family relationships and growing children to make wise decisions for themselves. She routinely attends summits and conferences to further her professional growth as a certified child life specialist and puberty and sexuality educator. Sarah is a mother of three and is walking this parenting journey of puberty and adolescence herself.

Dr. Stephen Simonson has spoken for Without Regret for over 15 years. He began speaking as a teen presenter, providing parents with a glimpse into the realities of teen sexuality and the complex pressures they face. His powerful message gave voice to teen’s experiences and encouraged increased communication between parents and their children. He was frequently interviewed by magazines, radio and television, expanding the message regarding the importance of early parent/child communication in the area of sexuality.

Stephen has his PsyD in Clinical Psychology at the California School of Professional Psychology, and also holds an M.A. in Clinical Psychology. He is a psychotherapist at UC Davis Medical Center as a psychotherapist and works extensively with adults, couples, families, children and adolescents. He is also available to facilitate community workshops focusing on improving communication skills between parents and their children, particularly in the area of sexuality. Dr Simonson is an invaluable consultant and advisor for Without Regret. Dr. Simonson's primary goal is to inspire caring and respectful relationships which empower individuals, families, and communities to live fully and love deeply.

Mary Rose Swarts, MA, currently provides technology expertise and educational materials development for Without Regret.

Mary Rose started presenting with Sue when she was 12.  At the age of 14 she won Grand Prize in the state-wide teen pregnancy prevention “It’s Up To Me” ad contest sponsored by the State Office of Family Planning.  At age 17 she was awarded the Sacramento County “Youth Inspire” award for her work in the field of teen pregnancy prevention.   Mary Rose began working with Sue operating all the technology used in the presentations and soon was asked by parents to give insight into a teen’s world.  Over the years she has grown to present on topics such as, sexual pressures teens face, the importance of parent/child connection and assertiveness training, and issues such as pornography. She is comfortable with both large and small groups, parents and teens, and in front of a camera.  Mary Rose has proven she can truly make a difference in the lives of families.  

Comments received include, "Mary Rose was essential providing real, authentic, current info on what is going on and how steps can be taken to communicate about it.”   In a recent essay, Mary Rose wrote, "Many of the fathers I speak to don't know how important their love is to their daughters. I tell them to love their daughters and show them what it is to be respected and loved, so that they never settle for harmful relationships." Mary Rose has Masters of Art in Education and as a School Psychologist.