Mary is the creator of One Rule Improv—a research-based, trauma-informed approach to learning, teaching, and applying improv so people can experience its benefits quickly and confidently. With extensive experience working with adopted and foster youth and their families, Mary helps children discover joy, connection, and emotional regulation through playful, relationship-centered experiences. Grounded in the understanding that children thrive when they feel safe, connected, and regulated, her work uses improv as a powerful tool to help balance the nervous system, strengthen healthy relationships, and bring the brain “back online,” empowering children to engage more successfully at home, in school, socially, and in life.
An educator, consultant, speaker, and author, Mary has helped thousands of people take those first critical steps into improv across educational, clinical, and professional settings. She is a TEDx speaker whose work has been featured in Psychology Today and Forbes, and in the documentary Act Social: Using YES AND to Save the World from Within featuring Colin Mochrie. Mary is the author of books, published research, articles, and courses throughOne Rule Improv. She earned her her master’s degree from Syracuse University and is a certified academic and special needs teacher.
SESSION: Laugh, Connect, Grow: Improv for Stronger Relationships and Better Regulation
Parenting children and teens who have experienced foster care, adoption, trauma, or big life transitions often means navigating moments of overwhelm, shutdown, anxiety, or disconnection. But what if one of the most powerful tools for helping your child regulate, reconnect, and thrive was also simple, joyful, and easy to use?
In this engaging and practical session, parents and caregivers will learn how to bring the power of improv into everyday moments when a child or teen needs help finding regulation and getting their “brain back online.” More than games or comedy, improv is about connection. It teaches us how to show acceptance, build trust, and communicate, “I see you, I value you, and we’re in this together.”
Through playful, easy-to-use strategies, families will discover how laughter, connection, and shared joy can help balance the nervous system in moments, strengthen relationships, and support children in becoming more available for learning, family life, friendships, and success. Participants will leave with a clear understanding of what improv really is, how it works, and how incredibly easy it can be to bring its powerful benefits into everyday life.
Nourishing the Roots of Our Families
A heartfelt thank you to the incredible community partners backing the Rooted Conference. Your generosity directly powers 4 days of expert workshops, family activities, resources, and valuable networking for Missouri foster and adoptive families.
