Healing is Possible
Therapy for Individuals and Families
Especially Foster and Adoptive Families
In-person in Philadelphia &
Online Statewide in Pennsylvania
Scared and Alone
“He just got kicked out of his second preschool program.”
“She threw a chair at the teacher.”
“He kicked a little girl.”
“It’s not just at school. Even when he’s home with us, he is often out of control. He even peed in his closet, on purpose!”
Exhausted and Filled with Regret
“This kid has traumatized me, and now I feel broken and resentful.”
“I didn’t think foster care was going to be this hard, but now I’m all committed. I don’t want to reject them again, but I want them out of my house.”
“When I am restraining my child, I look like a bad parent – but this child is broken. I had to hold him, and I got bruised. Then, he has marks on his arms that Social services will be mad at me over. But what was I supposed to do? They were hurting each other because they were triggered!”
Unheard and Unsupported
“All we do is fight.”
“My mother thinks I should be just like her.”
“My mother just doesn’t understand things are different now.”
“I don’t know what my daughter wants from me.”
A Calm Partner to Help You Regain Your Confidence in Parenting
Sometimes, it is difficult to be aware of what is going on with your child in a highly stressful situation.
I help you slow down and notice your child’s body language, facial expression, and tone of voice before you assume what the behavior means or how to stop it.
Together, we will identify and try new strategies aimed at fostering connection as I encourage and better equip parents and caregivers meeting the everyday needs of children impacted by adoption or foster care.
When allowed to express themselves in their own way, children and teens can self-correct and self-heal the challenges they are facing. This learning leads to a healthier and happier adulthood.
I believe all children deserve happiness and a safe space to grow and learn. Let me help you provide that opportunity to your child – while continuing to practice self-care.
I know the path we need to take to get you to a secure attachment.
Hi, I’m Alva.
I see you. I hear you. And I will walk this journey with you without judgment.
Parenting is one of the most beautiful experiences ever, but it can also be called one of the most challenging and frustrating, too! Every day comes with brand new parenting challenges, whether talking back, tantrums, or disrespect.
Mainly as a parent, you try to smile and work around those behaviors, but there are times when you can’t keep your cool.
Foster parenting can be an isolating experience. There is a lot of trial and error – and learning on the fly. Being a foster parent is hard but good. It stretches you and changes you. It can be painful.
The days can be frustrating, the nights long, and there are more than a few tears. Being a parent is not very easy, and being an adoptive parent is, at times, beyond difficult.
All of us struggle from time to time. Together, we will find boundaries and solutions. Your child will feel secure. You will feel empowered. And everyone will feel heard.