About the Founder…

STEPPING FORWARD ® is a national corporation with representatives in various states. They work in consultation with many individuals in the health care field to address the necessary care and support needed by the client and family following a variety of traumas.

Claudia J. Lentz is the Founder, President and Chief Executive Officer of this professional corporation that was founded in 1995. She is licensed by the State Board of Nursing in three states and has practiced in the areas of critical care and trauma for more than thirty years. She is Board Certified in Nursing nationally. Moreover, she received international certification for training, education, and experiences in traumatic stress services and holds an international Board Certification as a Trauma Specialist. She holds various certifications in the areas of cardiology and trauma to include Advanced Certification in Critical Incident Stress Management by the Association of Traumatic Stress Specialists. Ms. Lentz provides these same services on a contractual basis to various schools, companies, and organizations.

Active participation in research in the cardiac field has enhanced her clinical skills, as well as, depth of preventative medicine. She is also a certified instructor in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), Emergency Cardiac Care and Automatic External Defibrillation (AED). Ms. Lentz served as President of both the Southeastern Pennsylvania and Lehigh Valley Chapters of the American Association of Critical Care Nurses.

Personal experience with various traumas, near-death experience, and living in halo traction for a "broken neck", herself, has fostered insight into the outcomes and needs that clients and their families require at the time of the crisis and following the traumatic event until the self is reestablished. She established Stepping Forward ® following survival of a crash with a drunk driver. Ms. Lentz holds certification as a Victim Assistant by MADD in levels I and II. Since then, she has been an advocate for the person suffering trauma of any kind in medical and/or legal issues that occur at home, school, work or the community. Her private practice specializes in traumatic events and grief/bereavement.

She is a member of Toastmasters International and has earned the Competent Toastmaster Award. This recognition endorses her dynamic presentations on traumatic events, stress education, victimization, recovering from loss, grief/bereavement, mild/moderate traumatic brain injury, drinking and driving, and inspirational topics.

Ms. Lentz had her debut in the public speaking arena in 1974 as a representative of Sacred Heart Hospital School of Nursing in the Miss Hope Competition, sponsored by the American Cancer Society, PA Division-Lehigh County. Since then she has been presenting medical topics, strategic planning workshops, training sessions for survivors on coping, and dealing with teenagers and death. She presents medical and motivational topics to professional organizations, business, schools and community groups. You will find her listed in Who's Who in Executives and Professionals, National 2000 edition.

Good Words…

"Compassionate care, keen sensitivity to my fears."

"I was really impressed by the genuine and complete honesty and the one-to-one care."

"… a valuable asset in my steps toward feeling better and going forward with my life."

"I was able to reach Mrs. Lentz whenever I felt I needed to."

"Wonderful to find out that there is therapy available for trauma and grief recovery."

"Your experience with the particular nature of my situation and how to proceed were, of course, invaluable…"

"Mrs. Lentz was extremely helpful in showing how to cope with the rigors of daily life…"