Founders
Tammy Schamuhn, M.Sc
Co-Founder, Psychologist, Instructor, and Consultant
I am a Registered Psychologist and Registered Play Therapist. I also have a Bachelors of Education from the University of Alberta and practiced as an elementary teacher in Edmonton before going on to do my Masters degree in Psychology. I am also the founder and Executive Director of Family Counselling Centres.
I have been working in private practice for the past seven years in Alberta, primarily with children and their families. I offer clinical supervision to masters-level counselling students, and provisional psychologists. I also include animals in my therapy and have developed canine assisted and equine assisted therapy programs.
I approach my clinical and consultative work with parents and professionals with an attachment and neurobiological lens: all of my work is based on the neurology of the brain and how attachment is integral to adaptive functioning of both children and adults.
I am a passionate, empathetic, and experienced clinician here for my community to help children, teens, and adults heal and grow. I aim to have warm, respectful, and productive relationships with the clients I collaborate with, and I enjoy being part of the positive change that families experience.
I am a Registered Psychologist and a Registered Play Therapist. I completed my undergraduate studies in South-Africa before engaging in a one year, full time internship in Chicago at the Cancer Treatment Centers of America. In 2012, I received my Masters of Counselling from City University of Seattle. During my Master’s degree, I worked both on the front lines and as a counsellor with foster and adoptive families who faced a range of emotional, behavioural and cognitive challenges.
Since completing my degree, I have worked in a private practice setting with children, teens, adults and families. I work primarily from an attachment based perspective. This means that I work with clients to explore how early relationships affect how we come to understand our self, other people and the world.
It is an honour to work with clients and families to create a space for lasting change. I endeavour to always approach my clients with respect, honesty, integrity and warmth.
Tania Johnson, M.C
Co-Founder, Psychologist, Instructor, and Consultant
Guest Speakers 2021
Dr. Jennifer Mullan
Clinical Psychologist, Author
Affectionately nicknamed “the Rage Doctor” by peers and clients, Dr. Jennifer Mullan (she/her) is trained as a Clinical Psychologist, and is a published author. She currently serves communities as a Consultant, Therapeutic Coach, Ancestral wound worker who seeks to unpack the oppressive legacy of modern mental health practices, particularly for Queer Indigenous Black Brown People of Color (QIBPOC). She has been featured in Allure, GQ, The Today Show, Cosmopolitan, The Calgary Journal, and was selected by ESSENCE Magazine to receive the 2020 Essential Hero Award, in the category of Mental Health.
Dr. Mullan believes that un-learning and embodiment is an essential component in addressing the profound effects of systemic inequities and intergenerational trauma on people’s mental health. Through her Collective Group Healing work and Decolonizing Therapy practice, she creates safe spaces for people and organizations to heal, and guides people from all walks of life to unpack the oppression that has been unconsciously passed down—intrapsychically and socially—and continues to live on in our bodies today. Dr. Mullan helps people return Home to themselves.
As a vital element of her current practice, Dr. Mullan believes it’s essential for mental health professionals to question the relatability of the mental health industrial complex—ultimately, to reassess their education and “whom they are serving?” To further advance this work, Dr. Mullan founded Decolonizing Therapy, LLC in 2019, and since, has built a significant social media
platform, including 140,000 Instagram followers, and growing.
Dr. Mullan earned a Doctorate of Psychology (Psy.D) in Clinical Psychology from the California Institute of Integral Studies; a Master’s degree (M.A.) in Counseling & Community Agencies from New York University’s Steinhardt School of Education; and a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree in Psychology & Elementary Education from New Jersey City University.
Dr. Rick Hanson
Psychologist, Author
Rick Hanson, Ph.D. is a psychologist, Senior Fellow at UC Berkeley’s Greater Good Science Center, and New York Times best-selling author. His six books have been published in 30 languages and include Neurodharma, Resilient, Hardwiring Happiness, Just One Thing, Buddha’s Brain, and Mother Nurture – with over a million copies in English alone. His free newsletters have 220,000 subscribers and his online programs have scholarships available for those with financial needs. He’s lectured at NASA, Google, Oxford, and Harvard, and taught in meditation centers worldwide. An expert on positive neuroplasticity, his work has been featured on the CBS, NPR, the BBC, and other major media. He began meditating in 1974 and is the founder of the Wellspring Institute for Neuroscience and Contemplative Wisdom. He and his wife live in northern California and have two adult children. He loves wilderness and taking a break from emails.
Dr. Tina Payne Bryson
Founder of The Centre For Connection, Bestselling Author
Dr. Tina Payne Bryson is the author of the Bottom Line for Baby and co-author (with Dan Siegel) of two New York Times Best Sellers—The Whole-Brain Child and No-Drama Discipline—each of which has been translated into over fifty languages, as well as The Yes Brain and The Power of Showing Up. She is the Founder and Executive Director of The Center for Connection, a multidisciplinary clinical practice in Southern California. Dr. Bryson keynotes conferences and conducts workshops for parents, educators, and clinicians all over the world, and she frequently consults with schools, businesses, and other organizations. An LCSW, Tina is a graduate of Baylor University with a Ph.D. from USC. The most important part of her bio, she says, is that she’s a mom to her three boys. You can learn more about Dr. Bryson at TinaBryson.com.
Jennifer Alexander
Trauma-Informed Educator, Author, Trainer, Consultant
As an experienced educator, trauma expert, author, and professional development facilitator, Jen Alexander believes that trauma-sensitive educators can make a positive difference in the lives of students, one relationship at a time. That’s why she’s a passionate leader in the movement to build trauma-sensitive schools.
Her books include the bestseller Building Trauma-Sensitive Schools and Supporting Students After Staff After COVID-19. Known
by children and adults alike as “Ms. Jen,” she loves helping kids—and giving others what they need to help kids, too.
Explore Ms. Jen’s upcoming workshops today by visiting MsJenAlexander.com. Or,
email her at info@msjenalexander.com to learn more.
Morgan Bissegger
Registered Psychologist, Registered Play Therapist, Director of Clinical Services
I am a Registered Psychologist and Registered Play Therapist; currently I am practicing in Edmonton, Alberta. I completed my undergraduate degree at the University of the Fraser Valley, in British Columbia in 2010, my Masters in Counselling Psychology at City University of Seattle in 2015, and currently I am completing my Doctorate of Psychology at California Southern University.
My career began in residential care settings supporting children and youth who had experienced significant trauma and presented with complex mental health challenges. Through a process of seeking support and guidance to best support these individuals I began to learn about attachment theory and the impacts of trauma on development. This knowledge now serves as my foundation. Following this also worked in a school setting supporting complex mental health in the classroom. Through this work I continued to witness the importance of relationships in the developmental process. In 2015, began work as a Child and Adolescent therapist at the Sexual Assault Centre of Edmonton (SACE), and also began a small private practice. I have continued to work with SACE for the last 7 years, and have had the privilege of supporting many families as they have navigated the impacts of sexual violence. I work primarily from an attachment perspective and believe that relationship is an essential component of healing. I work alongside my clients to develop a sense of safety in relationship in order to create an environment in which they can process their experiences. I also support parents in understanding the impacts of trauma and developing strategies to supporting their children at home. Currently I hold of the role of Director of Clinical Services with SACE, in addition to working with clients, I also provide support to our clinical team and consultation in the area of sexual violence to the community.
I feel privileged to continually have the opportunity to learn from the children, youth and families that I work with. I strive to work collaboratively with my clients so that I may learn about their unique experiences and support them on their path towards growth and healing.
Dr. Christina Bjorndal
Naturopathic Doctor
Dr. Christina Bjorndal, ND is an authority in the treatment of mental illnesses such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorders and eating disorders. Having overcome many mental health challenges, Dr. Chris is a gifted speaker and best selling author who loves to share her philosophy of wellness in interviews with major talkshow hosts. She is recognized as one of the top NDs to follow by two independent organizations. Dr. Chris has helped many patients achieve physical, mental, emotional and spiritual wellbeing. She has written four books on mental health as well as created two courses – 1) a 10-week course for individuals and 2) a Clinician’s Integrative Mental Health 10 week course.
Dr. Lawrence J. Cohen
Licensed Psychologist, Author
Lawrence J. Cohen, PhD is a licensed psychologist and the author of Playful Parenting and The Opposite of Worry. His books have been translated into 18 languages. Larry is also the co-author of The Art of Roughhousing, Best Friends Worst Enemies, and Mom They’re Teasing Me. He offers parenting workshops and trainings across the US and internationally. Larry lives in Portland, Oregon with his wife, son, granddaughter, two dogs and two goats. He enjoys drawing and writing poetry. To receive his newsletter, send an email to <newsletter@playfulparenting.com>.
Christine Crocker
Registered Psychologist
As a Registered Psychologist trained in Marriage and Family Therapy, I believe that relationships are central to the health and well-being of individuals, families and communities. An individual always functions and grows within a “system”, whether as a member of a couple, family or group. Individual goals and visions are best understood and pursued within this broad framework. In counselling, each person is encouraged to understand their unique situation and reach for attainable goals. Together, client and therapist work toward making changes needed for a better life.
I have been providing services to families, couples and individuals since 2007, both in private practice and for agencies. I have a Masters in Science in Marital and Family Therapy through Loma Linda University and a Bachelor of Science Specialization awarded from the University of Alberta.
Dr. Michaleen Doucleff
Award-winning Journalist, Bestselling Author, Global Correspondant
Michaeleen Doucleff, PhD, is an award-winning journalist, bestselling author, and a prominent voice on the evolution of parenting and child psychology. A correspondent for NPR’s Science Desk, she reports for the radio and the Web in addition to NPR’s global health and development blog, Goats and Soda. Doucleff focuses on disease outbreaks, cross-cultural parenting, and children’s health. In 2014, she was part of the team that earned a George Foster Peabody award for its coverage of the Ebola outbreak in West Africa. As a science journalist, Doucleff has reported on a broad range of topics, from vaccine hesitancies to how to teach kids to do chores voluntarily. Prior to joining NPR, Doucleff was an editor at the journal Cell, where she wrote about the science behind pop culture.
Her book Hunt, Gather, Parent: What Ancient Cultures Can Teach Us About the Lost Art of Raising Happy, Helpful Little Humans explores parenting strategies from families in three of the world’s most venerable communities: Maya families in Mexico, Inuit families above the Arctic Circle, and Hadzabe families in Tanzania. The New York Times, Publishers Weekly, and USA Today bestseller introduces a highly appealing idea for a world where frantic over-parenting has become the norm, proposing that our ancestors may hold the answers to how to master parenting where our modern theories have failed. Curious to learn about more effective parenting approaches, Doucleff lived with families and observed their techniques firsthand, applying them to her own daughter with striking results. She talks to psychologists, neuroscientists, anthropologists, and sociologists and explains how these strategies can impact children’s mental health and development.
Doucleff taps into a growing sense of dissatisfaction with contemporary parenting theories, which often conflict and leave parents feeling overwhelmed and unequipped to meet their children’s behavioral and emotional challenges. Filled with practical takeaways that parents can implement immediately, Hunt, Gather, Parent helps us rethink the ways we relate to our children, and reveals a universal parenting paradigm adapted for American families. In her keynotes and presentations, Doucleff discusses how Western parenting often has it backwards. We interfere too much. We don’t have enough confidence in our children. We don’t trust their innate ability to know what they need to grow. And in many instances, we don’t speak their language. By widening the parenting lens, Doucleff helps parents to understand vitally different ways of relating to children, disciplining, and having fun together. In addition, she examines global health, diseases, vaccines, and more. She has a bachelor’s degree in biology from Caltech, a doctorate in chemistry from the University of California, Berkeley, and a master’s degree in viticulture and enology from the University of California, Davis. She lives with her husband, daughter and their German shepherd, Savanna, in San Francisco.
Samantha Dover
Registered Psychologist
Samantha Dover, M.C. is a Registered Psychologist in Edmonton, AB. Before entering the psychotherapy field, Sam worked as a Director at the Zebra Child Protection Centre in which she supported children, youth, and families who had been affected by child abuse. Through her work there, Sam recognized the tremendous impact trauma and maltreatment can have on a developing child and how critical safe and caring adults are in that child’s healing. It was also through this work that Sam recognized the value in offering education on some of our more “sensitive” subjects. She believes knowledge provides power and sharing the latest research and best practices on topics that may be a bit uncomfortable allows us to have the information we need to make informed and healthy choices in our parenting or caregiving.
Sam currently works for a private practice in Sherwood Park, AB where she specializes in treating those suffering from traumas or losses. Sam is a certified grief recovery specialist and has training in a variety of other treatment modalities including, DBT, EMDR, theraplay, and play therapy. In addition to her clinical practice and webinars available through the Institute of Child Psychology, Sam is also an associate faculty member at City University of Seattle.
Aynsley Graham
Independent Behaviour Consultant
Aynsley is an independent Behaviour Consultant who works with caregivers and educators to teach developmental parenting practices. She holds a Graduate degree in Human Ecology, specializing in Family Ecology and Practice, and has over 10 years of frontline experience working with children and youth. Aynsley provides training, 1-1 sessions, and resources for both parents and educators who are wanting to elevate their skills and knowledge about how to best support their tiny humans as they grow.
Dr. Gaiathry Jeyarajan
Psychiatrist, Author
Dr. Gaiathry Jeyarajan is a psychiatrist with the Canadian Mental Health Association. She also regularly consults to a shelter in Toronto. She completed her residency training at the University of Toronto in Ontario, Canada and has a passion for teaching medical student and resident doctors in training. Dr. Jeyarajan has a special interest in PTSD and Trauma. She takes an empathic and eclectic approach toward treating her patients. In 2021, she published a children’s mental health book called Ella’s Choice on consent and boundaries with a genuine desire to help break the cycle of child abuse. Ella’s Choice is an Amazon Bestseller and Dr. Jeyarajan has interviewed with CBC news and the Toronto Star about the book. Outside of work, Dr. Jeyarajan likes to spend time with her family and friends, meditate, hike, run, swim, play soccer, and travel.
Dr. Becky Kennedy
Clinical Psychologist, Podcaster, Social Media Content Creator
Dr. Becky Kennedy is a clinical psychologist and mom of three, recently named “The Millennial Parenting Whisperer” by TIME Magazine, who’s rethinking the way we raise our children. She specializes in thinking deeply about what’s happening for kids and translating these ideas into simple, actionable strategies for parents to use in their homes. Dr. Becky’s goal is to empower parents to feel sturdier and more equipped to manage the challenges of parenting. She has an expertise in parenting and child development with an emphasis on anxiety and resilience.
In just over a year, Dr. Becky has amassed a loyal and highly engaged community of nearly 900K followers on Instagram, created a library of 20+ popular parenting workshops, launched a top-rated podcast as well as a newsletter, published a Potty Handbook, and completed the manuscript of her forthcoming book, to be published in September 2022. She has been profiled in The New York Times Magazine, The Cut, The Wall Street Journal, and more.
Her weekly podcast, Good Inside with Dr. Becky, immediately went to #1 on the Apple Podcasts “Kids & Family” chart upon launching in April 2021, was placed on the coveted “New and Noteworthy” list, landed the #26 spot on the iTunes “Top Podcasts” chart in June 2021, and made Apple Podcasts “Best Shows of 2021” list. Each week, she takes on tough parenting questions and delivers actionable guidance—all in short episodes, because she knows time is hard to find as a parent. Her breakthrough approach has enabled thousands of people to get more comfortable in discomfort, make repairs after mistakes, and always see the good inside. Listeners gain the tools to embody their authority while developing a stronger parent-child connection, helping them become the parent they want to be and helping their children develop the skills necessary for life success.
Dr. Becky received a BA in Psychology and Human Development, Phi Beta Kappa and summa cum laude, from Duke University and a PhD in Clinical Psychology from Columbia University. She has a certificate in Relational Psychotherapy from the Steven Mitchell Center.
Dr. Ann-Louise Lockhart
Pediatric Psychologist, Parent Coach
Dr. Ann-Louise Lockhart is a business owner of A New Day Pediatric Psychology in San Antonio, TX. She is a pediatric psychologist, parent coach, wife of 23 years, a mom of 2 kids and has over 16 years of experience in her field.
She serves as a parent coach for parents who have kids and teens with behavioral and emotional regulation concerns, those diagnosed with ADHD and anxiety, as well as kids who are highly sensitive. She focuses on helping parents adjust their mindset about parenting. Dr. Lockhart helps overwhelmed parents get on the same page and better understand their kids and teens.
Dr. Lockhart has spoken nationally at schools, conferences, online podcasts, summits, and corporate workshops for topics about ADHD, anxiety, executive functioning, emotional dysregulation, and racism.
She has been interviewed and quoted in multiple online and print publications, including ABC News, the New York Times, New York Post, Pure Wow, MSN, Fatherly, Essence, HuffPost, San Antonio Magazine, Veronica Beard, Parents Magazine, and Therapy for Black Girls podcast. She is a Freelance Writer for PBS Kids for Parents, PureWow, and a Contributor for The Gottman Institute and 1N5. Dr. Lockhart also serves as a Board Member for the Verywell Review Board and Dadditude .
Amanda MacDonald
Child & Youth Care Counsellor
After graduating from Grant MacEwan University in 2009 with a Bachelor of Child & Youth Care Degree Amanda has worked within the Social Work field for over 15 years, navigating Adolescent Psychological Development in various capacities within the
Government of Alberta Child Welfare System as a Caseworker, working as a Child and Youth Care Counsellor in residential facilities for children with challenging behaviors, working within Alberta Health Services Youth Addiction and Mental Health programs, working within various First Nation communities in Alberta and currently as a Group Facilitator and Consultant for community agencies and partners.
Amanda MacDonald is a proud member of Cold Lake First Nations located within Treaty Six lands and is passionate about sharing the Indigenous experience in order to support Indigenous people to heal from historical trauma and help others understand the impact of its consequences in relation to today’s struggles that Indigenous people continue to face. Through connection, knowledge sharing and authenticity, the hope is to cultivate cultural pride and acceptance in order to promote social change. Amanda provides an environment of compassion and support to children, youth and families who have experienced trauma, abuse, addiction, and other mental health diagnoses, to overcome obstacles and move forward and thrive.
Dr. Gordon Neufeld
Developmental Psychologist, Bestselling Author
Dr. Gordon Neufeld is a Vancouver-based developmental psychologist with over 45 years of experience with children and youth and those responsible for them. A foremost authority on child development, Dr. Neufeld is an international speaker, a bestselling author (Hold On To Your Kids) and a leading interpreter of the developmental paradigm. Dr. Neufeld has a widespread reputation for making sense of complex problems and for opening doors for change. While formerly involved in university teaching and private practice, he now devotes his time to teaching and training others, including educators and helping professionals. His courses are offered primarily through the Neufeld Institute, an online educational institute and world-wide charitable organization devoted to applying developmental science to the task of raising children. He is a father of five and a grandfather to six.
Kim John Payne
Founder of The Center for Social Sustainability, Bestselling Author
Kim John Payne has been quietly and passionately working to help tens of thousands of people give voice to the feeling that something is not okay about the new normal of overwhelm that so many people are now experiencing. He offers do-able ways to realize the hopes and values we all have for ourselves, and build deep connections with our children that gives families resiliency and simple joy.
A consultant and trainer to over 230 U.S. independent and public schools, Kim John Payne, M.ED, has been a school counselor, adult educator, consultant, researcher, educator and a private family counselor for twenty seven years. He regularly gives key-note addresses at international conferences for educators, parents, and therapists and runs workshops and training’s around the world. In each role, he has been helping children, adolescents and families explore issues such as social difficulties with siblings and classmates, attention and behavioral issues at home and school, emotional issues such as defiance, aggression, addiction and self-esteem and the vital role living a balanced simple life brings.
He has also consulted for educational associations in South Africa, Hungary, Israel, Russia, Switzerland, Ireland, Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom, Thailand and China. Kim has worked extensively with the North American and UK Waldorf educational movements. He has served as Director of the Collaborative Counseling program at Antioch University New England. He is the Director of the Simplicity Project a multi media social network that explores what really connects and disconnects us to ourselves and to the world. Together with his team they have trained around 1000 Simplicity Parenting Coaches around the world. Kim is the Founding Director of The Center for Social Sustainability, an organization that has trained thousands of teachers, parents and students in the Three Stream Process that gives social, emotional and behavioral support to children who struggle in the school environment.
In addition to authoring the #1 Best Seller Simplicity Parenting© . Using the Extraordinary Power of Less to Raise Calmer, Happier and More Secure Kid, published by Random House Penguin in 2009, he also authored The Games Children Play©, (1996) published by Hawthorn Press ,The Soul of Discipline (2015 Random House/Penguin), co-authored Whole Child Sport™ How to Navigate Child & Youth Sports™. and Being At Your Best When Your Kids Are At Their Worst (Shambhala Press 2019). His books have been translated into 27 languages.
He has appeared frequently on television including ABC, NBC, CBS, Fox; on radio with the BBC, Sirius/XM, CBC & NPR and in print including being featured in Time Magazine, Chicago Tribune, Parenting, Mothering, Times Union and the LA Times.
Kim strives to deepen understanding and give practical tools for life that arise out of the burning social issues of our time. He lives on a farm in Ashfield, Massachusetts with his wife and two children.
Mercedes Samudio
Clinical Social Worker, Bestselling Author
Mercedes Samudio is a licensed clinical social worker, bestselling author, international speaker, and visionary entrepreneur. She works with parents around the world in developing a healthy parental identity with her revolutionary Parental Identity Development Model and incorporating her Shame-Proof Parenting philosophy to help reduce the shame parents experience as they raise healthy children. Mercedes is also trained in trauma-informed modalities which she uses in her work with parents to help them heal the past traumas that can influence the ways parents interact with themselves and their children. Outside of her professional life supporting parents, Mercedes is married to her best friend and soulmate and they live in sunny Sothern California with their 3 fur kids (2 cats and a dog). You can learn more about her work at http://shameproofparenting.com
Dr. Madiha Saeed
Family Physician, Bestselling Author
Born and raised in Illinois, Dr. Saeed completed her residency in South Bend, Indiana, after which, she joined an integrative medical practice. There, she witnessed firsthand the struggles each patient encountered, and their frustration in not knowing where to begin.
With a team, which included a nutritionist, psychotherapist, exercise physiologist, chiropractor, acupuncturist and other physicians, Dr. Saeed was determined to get to the root cause of disease for each patient.
Not only did she have the joy of witnessing hundreds of success stories thanks to a holistic approach, she experienced firsthand the power of healing as she lost 50 pounds and beat hypothyroidism, eczema, sebhorrheic dermatitis, acne, fatigue, alopecia, joint pain, weight and digestive issues, all while balancing a growing family and work!
In 2015, Dr. Saeed moved to her hometown and established her own practice. When she wasn’t with patients, Dr. Saeed was researching, pulling together the puzzle pieces of true holistic health care. If she, as a physician, was confused, how could those suffering all over the world find healing?
After four years of study, Dr. Saeed took matters into my own hands and wrote The Holistic Rx: Your Guide to Healing Chronic Inflammation and Disease. It became a #1 best seller in multiple categories on Amazon, interpreting the best of holistic, functional and integrative medicine in ONE source for over 70 conditions across the lifespan.
Her enthusiasm for holistic health only continues to grow. Years of study and interactions with patients have transformed her life as a doctor, coach, wife and mother. Dr. Saeed’s crazy life at home is filled with five young, very active boys (four sons and a husband), a daily reminder of her passion: helping families heal and prevent disease, despite a crazy and busy schedule.
Dr. William R. Stixrud
Clinical Neuropsychologist, Founder of The Stixrud Group
Dr. Jenny Woo
Harvard-Trained Educator, TedX Speaker, Founder of Mind Brain Parenting
Jenny Woo is a Harvard-trained educator, TEDx speaker, founder/CEO of Mind Brain Parenting, and mom of 3. She dedicates her career to helping people realize their potentials from classrooms to boardrooms. She has worked with children and families as a Montessori school administrator, with college students as an MBA career coach and lecturer, with employees as a human capital consultant and executive coach in the silicon valley, and with older adults as a memory researcher. Jenny conducts research in social-emotional learning, emotion regulation, and resilience. She also teaches emotional intelligence at the University of California, Irvine.
Jenny is the creator of a series of award-winning emotional intelligence games: 52 Essential Conversations, 52 Essential Relationships, 52 Essential Critical Thinking Skills, and 52 Essential Coping Skills. Her games have won the awards such as the Parents’ Choice Awards, National Parenting Product Awards, and Tillywig BRAIN CHILD Award and featured by Harvard and CASEL.
The games are used by parents, educators, and therapists in 50+ countries. Visit mindbrainparenting.org for games, assessments, and podcast lessons.
***By April 2022, Jenny will be completed her PhD dissertation and can be officially addressed as “Dr. Jenny Woo”