Cathy's Books
Professional ME Cathy Cassani Adams is a parenting expert and self-awareness teacher who supports parents in uncovering their authentic selves and inner joy so they can raise their children in a calm, loving, and supportive environment. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, a PCI Certified Parent Coach®, a Certified Elementary School Teacher and a Certified Yoga Teacher. Cathy is Adjunct Faculty in the Sociology Department at Dominican University, she received her Master’s in Social Work from Loyola University, and her Bachelor’s in Elementary Education from Drake University. Cathy worked for many years as a Child and Family Therapist and Clinical Educator at Children's Memorial Hospital, Chicago.
Cathy is the author of The Self-Aware Parent and The Self-Aware Parent Two, she is a writer for Chicago Parent Magazine, and a blogger for Chicago Now. She co-hosts Zen Parenting Radio with her husband Todd, she offers presentations, discussion groups, and women’s circles in the Chicagoland area, and she teaches early morning yoga at her local studio. She practices daily yoga and meditation, she studies essential oils, energy work, and holistic wellness, and she is committed to the practice of self care.
Cathy has been featured in Parents Magazine, Newsweek Magazine, Chicago Tribune, Ebony Magazine, Today’s Chicago Woman, Crain’s Chicago Business, and West Suburban Magazine. She is a reoccurring parenting expert on The Bill Moller Show on WGN Radio, she was the subject of a Fox News Special Report on the parent coaching profession, and she and her books were featured on CBS Chicago News. Cathy lives in Elmhurst, IL with her husband Todd and their three daughters.
About ME
Since I can remember I have had a deep curiosity about life, people, and experiences. I love sharing stories and I enjoy listening to other people’s perspective. I know that everyone, adults and children, just want to be heard and validated. If we could develop our listening skills and allow others to have their own point of view, the world would be a calmer place.
Even as a child I remember having an innate understanding of universal principles. I always knew that we are all inherently good and that life was meant to be enjoyed. I remember hearing people say things like, “life is meant to be hard" or "life is about suffering” and knowing for sure it wasn’t true. There were times in my life that I strayed from my internal knowing, and honestly, they were by far my most difficult times. I know we all have inner guidance; we just have to slow down, listen and trust ourselves so we can hear. We are all connected to something greater and our natural set point is joy. Of course we have challenges and we experience the full range of human emotions, but if we tap into our internal knowing we can eventually find our way back to authenticity and joy.
I have the typical life of a mother of three in a western suburb of Chicago. I love to read anything connected to personal or spiritual growth, I love to laugh, I love all kinds of music, I love to dance (I even take a dance class every once in awhile!), and I love the entertainment industry. I am not a fan of the news or the 24 hour media cycle. It is a false and fear-ridden perspective on the world we live in. People do great things every day. Good things happen every day. I am not in denial of the challenges we face, but what we hear on a daily basis is way out of balance. I believe that what you focus on grows, and I make a conscious effort to focus on love, gratitude, and anything that brings us closer to peace.
I believe the key to life is finding inner contentment. You may have built the life you envisioned, but if you don't have a loving and forgiving relationship with yourself it will always feel like something is missing. Making YOU a priority in this culture can be a challenge, but it's the first step towards happiness. The world is busy and loud, and silence can bring clarity. Silence and time alone will allow you to tap into your inner wisdom. Everyone has it and it has always been there. The trick is creating time and space to listen.
I teach and write about self acceptance and understanding, so I know it's important for me to practice what I preach. Life is all about learning and growing, so carrying guilt doesn't seem to make a lot of sense. It's a lot more helpful to acknowledge missteps, apologize when necessary, and thank people who are helpful. I take care of myself so I have the energy to be present for my favorite people - my three children and my husband. They are the center of my days and they are the inner circle of my world. I have a wonderful life that I find exciting and fulfilling. I give thanks everyday for the gifts I have been given and for the path I am on.
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