Your unique child didn't come with instructions. That's why it feels so hard.

Being adopted as an infant sparked my lifelong need to understand what makes people who they are (and honestly, what makes me who I am). Now I channel that fascination with nature versus nurture into understanding the why behind kids' behaviors. Once we know why, we can figure out how to help. It’s all about putting the pieces of the puzzle together.

I’m also a parent. I’ve been where you are. I remember sitting in a therapist's office with my own child. Despite all my training, I felt overwhelmed—not as a psychologist, but as a mom. I realized even the most “qualified” adults can feel helpless when it’s their child struggling. It hit home how much it matters when someone truly partners with you.