Ce's Journey:
How I Got Here

This is my story.

When I first brought my children home from the foster care system, I found myself completely flipping my lid and my children were entirely off the hook, angry, scared, and way beyond my understanding of how to parent.  I thought I would lose my mind, and worse, I was unequipped to help my children heal from the debilitating impact of trauma. I felt so battered, exhausted, ashamed, and defeated.  After all, I was a therapist already. Shouldn't I know how to do this parenting thing? How could I be failing at the most instinctual, biologically hard-wired practice in nature? I felt like a bad therapist, and a very deeply flawed mother.

I had never before understood how people could hurt their own children until I had mine.  I was ashamed to admit that to anyone. I just wanted the insanity to stop and had no idea how to do that. I spanked them, yelled at them, threatened them, avoided them, threw my hands up, and dismissed them.  I did all the ugly things.

Child Protective Services was called on me numerous times from things my kids lied about and things their other parent did. It was scary and humiliating, but most of all I knew I was further harming my kids, the very ones I thought I was giving a better life. Now, I was part of their trauma.

I tell you all of this because I want you to know I get you.  I see you. If you aren't where I got myself, then I'm pleased and hopeful that you will never get there.  If you are there or beyond, then you are right where you are supposed to be.  I  believe some things are meant to be.  You being here is not an accident. You are here for hope.

After many dead-ends, false starts, and wrong turns, I finally found a community of researchers, clinicians, neuroscientists, attachment specialists, and trauma experts to learn from so that I could help myself, my kids, and eventually my clients with their own children from difficult beginnings.  

I am incredibly grateful I found a way to be part of the solution for my children and myself. In time, I was able to set out a path to real success, a path that really, actually works.  And, I'm pleased to have been able to share what I learned with others in the clinic I named The Attach Place Center for Strengthening Relationships, LLC. My clinic was designed specifically to help families like ours to heal and grow beyond to joyful living.

For twenty years now, I have been providing state-of-the-art attachment and trauma treatment to adoptive families.  I have provided hundreds of parents and professionals training in how to successfully parent traumatized children.  Today, I am known as an expert in the field of parenting children from difficult beginnings.  As I see it, I got here the hard way so that I can be part of making it easier for you.

By the way, I call my parenting model Love+ Parenting, because love is not enough. After my clinic started busting at the seams with parents traveling miles to get therapy and to attend 2-week intensives, I went virtual with the Love Matters Parenting Society, so that every parent could get access to expertise and experience.

Parents, I know the aggression and chaos you are living with. I've experienced the shenanigans and the meltdowns first hand. You do not have to be alone with it any longer, and you do not have to live within traveling distance from my office to get what you need either. 

The Love Matters Parenting Society is right here.  I am right here in this vibrant community of loving, learning, supportive parents eager to help support you, all while you sharpen your skills to move you ever forward toward thriving in your family life. 

Yes, I did say THRIVING.  I mean it, too.

I entitled my best selling book, Drowning with My Hair On Fire:.Insanity Relief for Adoptive Parents because it is somewhat of a universal experience amongst us adoptive parents.  I'm here to assure you, that there is hope.  More than hope. I have seen the transformation in hundreds of families. This is my personal invitation to you: jump into the life raft.

I am here to serve you, parents.  You can find your way out of this nightmare, but you need the right help: help for your whole family.  My mission is to serve YOU until you are enjoying your life again.

Love matters, when more than love is required,

❤️Ce