[FosterEd] Guardianship Commitments

My name is Sara Johnstone. I have a MA degree in Counseling Psychology and Psychological Services and am finishing my dissertation in the next few months to graduate with a doctorate degree in Clinical Psychology. I also possess degrees in Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice. I am currently in the process of setting up a private practice where I will do neurological, personality, ADHD, Autism, and projective assessments, in addition to mental health therapy with ages 16 and older. Prior to this, I worked in co-occurring disorders with individuals who struggle with both mental health and substance use disorders where I had extensive experience with guardianship, working with individuals and families of people who are currently or previously been incarcerated, MI/CD commitments, traumatic brain injury, neurocognitive disabilities, trauma, and grief and loss. On a personal note, my family and I have been a Hennepin County medical foster home since 1999. Through this experience, I have been fortunate enough to have adopted nine children through this system and currently two of them have required the need for full guardianship with one more in the process. I am passionate about consulting with and aiding stakeholders who may need some guidance in navigating systems such as special education, the guardianship process, and the legal system.