Psychotherapist | Parenting Coach + Educator

*MK-blackbird

 

RESOURCES

Here you’ll find our zoom recordings (available for 90 days after the session), along with any notes and/or links to topics discussed in our meetings.

Group Recording 5/5/25
Topics:
Dealing with grief of miscarriage and doctors’ ethics:(
Signs to watch for with ADHD in kids
Considerations for public vs private school
Protecting your child with body safety rules
Assessing camp safety
https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/l9awhEjRx-ZkQCmxA3kKZF3pjgF4GbceQRmGp9QcXiK76tIpz1u4xSv0SDX_73HD.XHFWnAauJNs2oXU_
Passcode: NTT$f0QV

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Group Recording 4/7/25
Topics:
Safety considerations for field trips
Struggle in marriage
Perspective of seasons in life
Separation anxiety
The value of ritualizing goodbye to help transitions
Noticing differences, ‘categorizing’
Helping kids embrace uniqueness and belonging from the inside
The importance of attunement to your child’s experience and acceptance of who they are
The challenge of asking for help as a parent
Responding to interrupting
https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/tky_MvZIHOd8KtJ6x61fsMaV9bFFcn2CoNXLJ31MNXzKpnzxY6OCyG3KGnN9dtF-.xMQmVf2E0x3wWsh9
Passcode: YKm#42E8


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Group Recording 3/3/25
Topics:
Processing impact of LA fires
Navigating sibling aggression
Empowering kids with assertion skills
Tattling vs. Telling
Evaluating resources for another child
Taking care of your marriage in the midst of parenting
Evaluating DK/TK
The value of community in raising children
Challenging the princess archetype (books below)
Cultivating acceptance of who you are
Allowing for different ideas without always sharing to avoid hurting others
https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/xHJal7xmPa1aRiIYBmsQKiMtWUEMww-AQGzqkIiGipkY2k0Q8vNfUzOQElCYqUqH.qo6ALWm35TiIGr-M
Passcode: 6FB8$e$F

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Group Recording 2/3/25
Topics:
Processing impact of LA fires
Revisitng story of breaking leg child with focus on healing to help adaptation
Fostering independence when there is resistance
Playful engagement for increased cooperation
Inviting power with questions vs directives for greater cooperation
Potty learning
Emotional dysregulation manifesting as silly behavior
Teachable moments around the power of words
Intrinsic Motivation vs Extrinsic Motivation
Supporting interest with live experience
Supporting child’s grief in friends moving away
Navigating group panic with your own individual perspective
https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/fQdV3Ch8zFT3xJi8uInYnImq_8EDEKERBjFxUyy3akiM_fwYr1pOv9MZ9IpMtx4K.R15GW66KemGretop
Passcode: 4s2EGI5!

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Group Recording 1/6/25
Topics:
Emotional labor of motherhood, especially during holidays
Evaluating school fit
Separation anxiety: the cling factor
The essential need for both love and limits
Responsive/Intentional parenting vs Gentle parenting
Tolerating kids’ struggle & risk as important in developing resilience & grit
The significance of competence via skill building
The overfocus on specialization of children vs. character development
Showing up for the feelings of frustration to develop emotional regulation and skill build
Answering the tough questions: Why do you have to work?
Addressing socio-economic differences
https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/8jX9tUGR6SqCcpSORhbB-CotMQPsQlhW9KRmmOcNGKD6DAgVv03zSH_1q6eE3Ky5.FLeXvuLgoWHNGuoA
Passcode: .Ze&p=9w

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Group Recording 12/2/24
Topics:
The “Out-of-Bounds” behavior of the 4yr old
Attuning to the feeling underlying the unkind words
Meeting sibling attention needs at the table
Learning about interrupting
Tools for learning to wait your turn
Talking to kids about religion and different traditions
Responding to interest in reading
Body safety rules as many conversations
Talking about “tricky” people and the “uh-oh” feeling
Different families have different rules
Talking about differences in behavior without judgement
Raising insight and empowering kids with assertion when dealing with unkind words
https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/QxrS8jFOc2rPrmDwa54Egedv13SMUr8XJ-Z7Ax0NAhla13iNfP5yWXq2dxffKcr-.WbAFRUUD6PaSRsg2
Passcode: 2C9?dv%N

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Group Recording 11/4/24
Topics:
Exploring the power of words
Peer influence
Building a circle of friends
Responding when kids notice differences
Talking about death and the life cycle
Honoring the legacy of loved ones for everyone’s benefit
Interfacing with how school navigates behavior with your child
Assessing what is school’s responsibility https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/6eJjWLJRqwD0sfAyKQlUp9bMM6O2Kfxlj109XmvXKwseXKm3v6TOXoeOgQHkmoYe.D06Mvkyer3-7ATEK
Passcode: J5vsE0b?

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BOOKS

For Parents:

Allison's Favorite Parenting Books

Never Enough: When Achievement Culture Becomes Toxic- and What We Can Do About It

The Anxious Generation

For Kids:

Grief & Loss

The ABC’s of Grief (age 3-10yrs)

The Power of Choices, Natural Consequences & Responsibility:

What Should Danny Do?: The Power to Choose Series

What Should Darla Do?: The Power to Choose Series

On Self Acceptance

I Like Me (2-5yrs)

I Am Enough

Dear Girl: A Celebration of Wonderful, Smart, Beautiful You

Stand Tall Molly Lou Mellon

Spagetti in a Hotdog Bun: Having the Courage to Be Who You Are

Zero

Life Cycle

Lifetimes: A Beautiful Way to Explain Death to Children (3-6yr)

Something Very Sad Happened: A Toddler’s Guide To Understanding Death (2-4yr)

That’s Me Loving You (1-5yr)

Emotions

My Magical Feelings

My Magical Moods

A Little Spot of Emotion

What to Do When You Feel Like Hitting

In My Heart

When Sophie Gets Angry, Really, Really Angry

The Way I Feel

Double Dip Feelings

The Chocolate Covered Cookie Tantrum

Sleep Fears/Separation Anxiety

Orion and the Dark

Can’t You Sleep, Little Bear?

The Invisible String

Anxiety

The Worry Box (3-7yrs)

Courage/Confidence

A Little Bit Brave

The Lion Inside

Secrets

The Trouble with Secrets

On Interrupting / Manners

Interrupting Chicken

My Mouth is a Volcano

Manners Time

Body Positivity

Brontorina

Shapesville

Your Body is Awesome: Body Respect for Children

Body Boundaries

No Trespassing- This is MY Body!

Miles is the Boss of his Body

Don't Hug Doug

Yes! No! A First Conversation about Consent

Super Duper Safety School: Safety Rules for Kids & Grownups

Social Emotional Development Books

Julia Cook

Elizabeth Crary Problem Solving Books

Social Skills

Have You Filled A Bucket Today?

Hunter's Best Friend at School

Waiting Is Not Easy

My Way Or The Highway

Talking about Differences

Whoever You Are

We're All Wonders

Zero

Perfectly Norman

Potty Learning

Once Upon A Potty

We Poop On the Potty

Bloop Bloop Goes the Poop

I Can't I Won't No Way

It Hurts When I Poop

Challenging Princess Archetype

The Princess Knight

Do Princesses Wear Hiking Boots?

Princesses Wear Pants

The Paper Bag Princess

The Princess and the Pizza

Prince Cinders

Princess Penelope’s Parrot

Halloween (3-5yrs)

Dia de Los Muertos

Room on the Broom

Winnie the Witch

Pumpkin Jack

Big Pumpkin

RESOURCES

Personalized Books to Ease Transitions
Artifact Uprising

Common Sense Media

Parenting Consultation Group

preschoolers/TK (4-5 yrs)

1sT Mondays from 9:30-11am PST

6-MONTH SERIES

RECURRING ZOOM LINK


A 90-minute virtual group experience where parents learn and grow through interactive and participatory exchange, while gaining monthly insight, guidance and support in all aspects of the parenting journey. Parents continue to expand their parenting foundation with new perspective, self-understanding, tools and effective strategies, allowing you to parent more intentionally and responsively to your child’s unique needs.

This is a supportive community, and space that has been created for parents to pause together, allowing you to approach your parenting struggles with curiosity to deepen your understanding and compassion for your child and yourself.

The opportunity to be a part of this gives you access to my years of experience and knowledge as both a therapist and a mother, as well as my history as a group facilitator and ability to expand the conversation, keeping it focused and fruitful. It leaves us in a unique and valued position where we are raising our children “together”, using my expertise combined with all of your experiences to enrich the discussion, to not feel alone, and to learn from one another.

You come away from this experience with a road map to navigate parenthood with clarity, confidence and purpose…along with the inspiration to cultivate resilience and foster skill-building in our children, with the vision of creating lifelong and joyful relationships and children who thrive.

I am passionate and honored to be a part of your parenting journey and making meaningful impact on generations to come!


Please use this page as a resource for your group. I’ll be including relevant information and links from our discussions here. This page is password-protected and the information is meant for the group members only.


DETAILS

Group Time: 9:30-11am PST

Dates: 1st Mondays (except June & September)

Enrollment: Group size is limited and all spaces are filled.
If you know someone who is interested in joining a private parenting group, please have them contact me via email.

2025-2026 Series dates:

  • June 23*

  • JULY/AUGUST BREAK

  • Sept 8*

  • Oct 6

  • Nov 3

  • Dec 1

  • Jan 5

  • Feb 2  (makeup if needed)


REGISTRATION

Please UPDATE the following registration form and submit payment no later than Thursday, May 15th


PAYMENT

Please click on the button below to pay for the series.


RECURRING MEETING LINK:

Virtual groups are great way to meet, as there is a lot of flexibility with location, no commute or parking. To facilitate our community of support with personal engagement, please join with video on whenever possible, and avoid multi-tasking. It’s valuable to protect the time and think of it as an in-person meeting…and then show up wherever you are, and fully participate. 

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86136517000?pwd=ZUo0V2NBSGprOWQvU1VlMWMrK2NnZz09

Meeting ID: 861 3651 7000
Passcode: 488057

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One tap mobile
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+16699009128,,86136517000#,,,,*488057# US (San Jose)

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Dial by your location

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• +1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose)
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Meeting ID: 861 3651 7000
Passcode: 488057

Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kwEehFuRA


PARENTING GROUP POLICIES

These dates are firm and cannot be changed. Prorated fees are not available for missed groups, and your session fees are non-refundable. However, if I have to cancel a session due to an unforeseen circumstance, such as sickness, I will hold group on the makeup date indicated above. 

With unanimous agreement our group zoom sessions are recorded to watch at your convenience, and you have access to the meeting for 90 days. If you do have to miss group, you can submit a question or raise an issue ahead of time to be addressed.

Discussion in this group first focuses on issues with the child the group has in common, and any sibling issues related to this child. Issues related to your older or younger child, are addressed if/when time permits.

For information about private parent consultation or parent psychotherapy, visit this link or email me directly.