My team and I had an AMAZING TIME at the National Head Start Conference this week. I had the honor and privilege of presenting as their keynote speaker for the 51st Annual Conference in Portland. Hearts were inspired, souls were lifted! If you’re interested in inviting me to speak, reach out soon because our summer and fall dates are […]

I’m returning from a fantastic weekend of business AND pleasure! Here’s a fun re-cap and a little insider scoop into my very busy past few months! I just spent the past 5 months working with a wonderful healthcare organization, a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC), on trauma-informed practices. It’s been inspiring, challenging, and soul-filling to […]

This past week, our family vacationed in Hawaii. I’ve been taking my kids there since they were little and I’m sure it’s part of their core memories, as most family rituals become. We’re a friendly crew and as we waited on the beach we began chatting with another family. My children, at 17 & 19, […]

If you’re paying attention to social media of late, there’s a book that’s getting a LOT of attention. It’s called Bad Therapy, written by Abigail Shrier. The basic summary is that children are being over-therapized without reason. She vilifies therapists, parenting experts and other school-based programs, often lumping these professionals together. She posits that well-intentioned […]

I was recently scrolling through social media trying to find a picture of someone to share with a friend. I went to my friend’s account and realized she had deleted hundreds of photos from her social media account. When I asked about why those photos had been deleted, she said, “Oh, I’m not in that […]

Friends,  I started my private practice in 2003. I was a baby psychologist, just licensed. I set up my sweet little office in Clackamas Oregon and put out my shingle. You came. You trusted me with your stories, your children, your lives, and your hearts.  Between 2003 and 2015 we grew together. Clients came and went […]

Friends,  I’m giving you a little sneak peek into my upbringing today. It’s certainly an insight into how I operate. But, it’s also a GREAT opportunity to differentiate grit & perseverance from resilience.  On Super Bowl Sunday, we hosted a small gathering at our home. Just a few families gathered to watch the Chiefs & 49ers, […]

Friends,  My podcast has made its way to 80 episodes! I’m so happy with the stories that are out in the world because of this brave endeavor. Stories of hope, healing, and connection wrapped up in trauma-responsive love – I’m proud of this work that my team and I have created.  But for now, I’m […]

Friends,  You may not realize it, but I see and respond to EVERY email from my inbox, personally. And this is why: being seen and heard is important. You’re taking time to read my words, feel inspired, and, perhaps, take small actions. So, it means a great deal to me when you reach out, email, […]

Hey Friends,  Happy Valentine’s Week – even if you think it’s full of mush and obligatory sweetheart gifting – I LOVE, love, so I support the expression of it in any form. And speaking of expressions of love, can we talk about this photo? This is my brother, Tyler. He’s 35 and has developmental delays. […]