Q: How long have you been an Ukeru trainer?

A: I have been training Ukeru for one year. 

Q: What population do you work with? What inspired you to get into this field? 

A: I work with children and adolescents in an inpatient psychiatric hospital and have dedicated the past 11 years to caring for this population. I discovered my passion for psychiatric nursing during nursing school and have been inspired ever since by the profound impact this work can have on young lives. Supporting children through some of their most challenging moments and witnessing their resilience is deeply meaningful to me. This commitment to fostering positive change and inspiring hope is what continues to motivate me every day.

Q: What part of Ukeru do you enjoy teaching the most and why?  

A: I love teaching about calming and grounding strategies. During my initial instructor training, the concept of reframing these interventions as tools rather than toys strongly resonated with me. I value the opportunity to share this mindset with our staff and to demonstrate the wide range of effective tools available to support emotional regulation in our children. I am a strong advocate for sensory-based interventions, having witnessed their effectiveness repeatedly in real-world practice.

Q: What would you say to someone who is unsure about using Ukeru? 

A: Just try it! The pads will not work 100% of the time if you don’t pick them up. Also, what could go wrong with treating everyone with empathy, kindness, and compassion.

Q: What advice or tip would you give to a new Ukeru trainer? 

A: Trust the process! Share the successes you have witnessed and experienced, as a trainer sharing those skills can give staff hope and create that positive change. 

Q: How has Ukeru impacted your life? 

A: Over the past year, I have been deeply involved in leading the implementation of Ukeru within our hospital. While the process has been challenging, it has also been incredibly rewarding. I am proud of the growth I have experienced both personally and professionally, and even more so of the skill development and progress demonstrated by our staff throughout this journey.

Q: What is your favorite quote or a motto that you like to live by? 

A: “Success means we go to sleep at night knowing that our talents and abilities were used in a way that served others.”

Q: What three words would you use to describe Ukeru?

A: Creative, collaborative, growth