Course Designers

Left to right: Mryna Neims, Tricia Bachus, Ruth Angaran, Ruth Smith.

Ruth S. Angaran is a veteran high school instructor. Eventually she began work on a degree that would give her counseling credentials; she completed the MSW in 1998. She continued in a Ph.D. program in Social Work and is currently engaged in her dissertation study. Ruth A. has two grown children. She often states that her daughter was the typical first-child “perfect” one, and her son came in this world to wipe away her cockiness that she knew how to be a good parent! “What is true,” she says, “is that they both taught me tons about unconditional love, being willing to take responsibility for my experience, and patience.” Ruth works as a private therapist for Counseling Associates in Gainesville, FL. She specializes in families with teenagers, while she also sees individuals and couples. She teaches the COMMON GROUND course as often as time allows.

Tricia L. Bachus is a graphic designer by training and education, and currently serves as the Associate Director of a Big Brothers Big Sisters agency. What she is—is an artist! Tricia has two children as well. Of the four designers, she is the only one who is currently blessed with having a teenager at home. Her son is a navigator in the Marines, stationed in San Diego, and her daughter is in high school and a potential runway model! Tricia is a very focused parent and parent-educator, with high standards of integrity for both. With her graphic design background, she has been primarily responsible for the layout and construction of the Instructor’s Training Manual and the handbooks for COMMON GROUND. She is also the designer of the logo for TMR2 and those for this website.

Myrna R. Neims, Ph.D. is a fun-loving, laughter-invoking private psychotherapist, who specializes in being wonderful at everything she does! Myrna is the proud and loving parent of children and grandchildren! Myrna is also known for her Organizational Development work and is a certified family mediator. Over the past few years she has become interested in the use of laughter and play in therapy as well as in the enhancement of everyday life. She presents seminars such as “The Healing Power of Laughter and Play,” “Joy in the Workplace,” and “S/he Who Laughs…Lasts,” for professional groups, businesses and agencies.