Darcie Sims is a bereaved parent whose 13 month old son, Austin, died in 1977. She is serving as Secretary on the National Board of Directors of The Compassionate Friends. A psychotherapist specializing in bereavement counseling & grief management, she holds a B.A. in Journalism, an M.A. in Education, & M.A. in Mental Health Counseling & is actively pursuingher Ph.D in Counseling Psychology & Thanatology. Darcie is currently the Director of Counseling for Albuquerque, New Mexico school system.