Why Do Foster and Adoptive Families Need Special Therapy?
Bureaucracy
Explaining how an enormous system works is exhausting - you deserve a therapist that already knows
Parenting Fatigue
Parenting children with trauma creates specific family challenges that deserve to be supported
Family Systems
Parenting in the child welfare system is never simple! Understanding the multiple family systems is key
Trauma-informed Care
Chelsea is a Nurtured Heart Approach trainer and clinician - you deserve to have a therapist support you through changing your household, your relationship with your child, and holding space for a history of hurt
Attachment
Creating a strong bond between parent and child is complex and individual, and deserves individual support
Stress
Treating the stress inside of a family that comes from internal and external trauma requires training and expertise
My values are transparency, accessibility, and equity. I provide private pay, sliding scale rates to foster and adoptive parents and adult adoptees that may have trouble accessing sensitive, informed care.
I have worked with families impacted by trauma, separation, and behavioral challenges for more than ten years, and began Foster Parent Therapy to serve a population that I saw often sidelined. There was a need for therapy for everyone in the adoption and foster care constellation, and foster parents were often the ones left without someone to support them.
​Foster care is close to my heart - We have adopted five children from California foster care, two of whom are now young adults in college. We continue to foster teens.
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I am a relational therapist with a background in psychodynamic therapy and a focus in treating childhood trauma. I have trained in Trauma Focused CBT and therapeutic parenting strategies.
I am a certified trainer for the Nurtured Heart Approach as well as Adoption Competent Therapy through the Center for Adoption Support and Education. My family was the California Department of Social Services Adoptive Family of the Year in 2022.
Get Support for You and Your Family
Forms and Agreements
Provided for the records of current and former clients, and for review by prospective clients
Call
(510) 859-8130