Lisa Wittorff (she/her/hers)

I have navigated the journey of gender with each of my children, and helped many parents navigate this journey with their children. I can help you too!

The basis of my parenting philosophy is a combination of mindful parenting, brain based science, and Collaborative Problem Solving. \nI blend all three of these philosophies in my coaching practice. Taking into account the age, developmental level and needs of the child, along with the needs of the parent(s), I help you design a style of parenting that best suits your family.

I worked as an adoption social worker for 12 years, and also have 3 children through foster care, so I understand both personally and professionally the challenges of adoptive parenting. I also have been certified as an expert in attachment theory and have worked with many children with attachment issues and Reactive Attachment Disorder.

As the parent of a child with Reactive Attachment Disorder, and 2 other children with attachment issues, I have studied attachment theory at length. I furthered my knowledge throughout my years as an adoption social worker, helping facilitate families attachment to their newly placed children. I have also been certified as an expert in attachment to testify in dependency court.

Rather than practicing from a medical or mental illness model, coaching focuses on strengths and wellness. I strive to work with a client's natural strengths, learn from them about their children, and educate them in methods that work with their children's needs to improve overall parenting and address specific behaviors that are causing stress in the home.

I use motivational interviewing to understand what drives parents' desire to change the way they are parenting. This helps me to focus my coaching toward that motivation and help the parents focus on it as well. For example, if the parents' motivation is less stress and more free time, I can remind the parents of this when making parenting decisions.