A Little About Me
Let me share a bit more about myself. I have been a Licensed Clinical Social Worker for over 30 years and I am also a parent of three adult 2e daughters, so I know the road you are walking. Throughout my career, I have helped countless families navigate meltdowns, emotional storms, school challenges, and deep moments of hopelessness.
My practice blends interpersonal neurobiology, cognitive-behavioral therapy, trauma-informed principles, and polyvagal-informed safety work to support the entire family. For example, one family I worked with had a gifted son who could solve math equations in minutes but collapsed in tears over putting on socks.
Together, we built a plan to co-regulate his nervous system and develop sensory strategies so he could get to school calm and confident. If you choose to work with me, the first three sessions will help us build trust, understand your child's developmental profile, and begin practicing tools that help you become a calming presence at home. These early sessions lay the groundwork for profound change.
Book your free discovery call. Chick here
Common Parent Struggles
Parenting a 2e child often means managing not only their incredible gifts but also intense dysregulation, social struggles, and perfectionism. Many parents share that they feel like they’re walking on eggshells, trying to prevent the next meltdown while advocating for their child at school.
In our work together, you’ll learn how your child’s nervous system may be stuck in survival mode and how to co-regulate so they can feel safe, learn, and connect. These approaches are drawn from the latest science in brain-based relational therapy. By weaving in these methods, we’ll help your child thrive at home and beyond while building your confidence as a parent.
2e Out in the World
At Welcome Home Family Therapy, I also recognize how exhausting it can be to constantly explain your child to the world. Teachers may see a bright, talkative kid but miss their anxiety and overwhelm. Friends and family might not understand why your child melts down after a birthday party or resists seemingly simple tasks.
Together, we will look beneath behaviors to see the story the nervous system is telling, and help you respond in ways that build trust and safety. This is about empowering you with tools to support your child’s emotional growth while respecting their twice-exceptional brilliance.
Asynchronous Development: The Challenges of Being 2e
One of the most difficult aspects of parenting a 2e child is the reality of asynchronous development. Your child might be highly advanced in certain areas, but their emotional regulation, social skills, or ability to manage day-to-day tasks might be underdeveloped. You may find yourself wondering why your brilliant child can’t seem to control their anger, focus in school, or make and maintain friendships. This gap between cognitive ability and emotional maturity is common in 2e children and can create intense frustration—for both the child and the parent.
You may feel like you’re constantly putting out fires—whether it’s an emotional meltdown over something seemingly small or struggling with teachers who just don’t understand why your child’s academic performance doesn’t match their intellectual potential. It can feel as though no one is really seeing your child for who they truly are.
Why Choose Family Counseling for 2e Children?
As the parent of a 2e child, you are no stranger to the feelings of isolation, confusion, and helplessness that often come with raising a child who is both gifted and challenged. Traditional parenting advice or educational models often fall short, leaving you without the tools to support your child’s emotional, social, and academic needs in a way that feels effective. You might be constantly questioning whether you’re doing enough, if your child is going to get the support they need, and whether they’ll ever feel truly understood.
Family counseling specifically designed for 2e children can offer the emotional support and therapeutic interventions necessary to understand your child’s unique development. It’s not about “fixing” your child; it’s about meeting them where they are, helping them regulate their emotions, and creating a safe and supportive environment for them to thrive.
Book your free discovery call. Chick here
Interpersonal Neurobiology and Polyvagal Therapy for 2e Families
In my work with families of 2e children, I focus on integrating interpersonal neurobiology and polyvagal theory to help support both the child’s cognitive development and emotional regulation. These approaches are grounded in the understanding that a child’s nervous system plays a significant role in how they respond to the world around them. For many 2e children, heightened stress and anxiety can create emotional and behavioral challenges that often go unnoticed or misunderstood.
Interpersonal neurobiology (IPNB) emphasizes the importance of attuned, nurturing relationships in the development of the brain and nervous system. For your 2e child, this means creating a safe, consistent, and emotionally secure environment where they can develop emotional resilience and regulation skills. When parents are supported in creating such an environment, it helps to reduce stress and support healthier brain development.
Polyvagal theory, developed by Dr. Stephen Porges, focuses on how our body’s autonomic nervous system (ANS) responds to stress and social engagement. For 2e children, who often have heightened fight, flight, or freeze responses, understanding how to regulate the nervous system is essential. Using techniques grounded in polyvagal theory, therapy can help children calm their nervous system, improve emotional control, and engage more effectively in social situations. This approach is invaluable when traditional strategies often fail to address the root causes of behavior and emotional dysregulation.
Connect with Abby – Find the Support Your Family Needs
Parenting a 2e child is hard. You’re constantly managing your child’s complex needs while also navigating the emotional toll of trying to support them in a world that doesn’t fully understand their uniqueness. You might feel exhausted from constantly trying to make sure that they’re getting the right help or wondering if there’s even a way to bridge the gap between your child’s potential and their struggles.
If you are looking for specialized support that recognizes the unique challenges and strengths of 2e children, I am here to help.
We will have a brief screening phone call and if it feels right, we will schedule an hour-long, free phone consultation to see if we are a good match for therapy. This is my offering to you, at a time when you are struggling the most.
Book a free Discovery Call: Click here
My Motto: I help parents become the healers in the home.
Looking for a different kind of support? I also offer:
Parent Coaching Grounded in Brain Science
Post-Adoption Services: Online Therapy to Support Adoptive Parents
Co-parenting Therapy Near Me: Online Support for Adoptive Parents in California
No matter your family’s story, there’s a way forward.
FAQs: What Parents Like You Want to Know
How is this different from traditional therapy?
Instead of focusing on behavior modification, this approach is rooted in nervous system regulation, connection, and co-regulation. When a child feels truly safe and connected, their ability to manage emotions and behaviors improves naturally.
Why does my 2e child have such big emotional reactions?
2e children experience the world with deep sensitivity. Their nervous systems often operate in fight, flight, or freeze mode, making emotional regulation difficult. Rather than seeing their reactions as over-the-top, we focus on understanding their stress response and building co-regulation strategies that help them feel safe and supported.
Why do traditional discipline techniques not work for my child?
Because 2e kids often function from a state of heightened stress, punitive measures or traditional discipline approaches can make things worse. Instead of “correcting” behavior, we focus on creating connection, understanding sensory triggers, and building skills for self-regulation.
How can I help my child manage school-related stress and frustration?
Many 2e children feel misunderstood in school environments. We’ll explore strategies for self-advocacy, executive function support, and emotional regulation to help them navigate the challenges of a traditional academic setting.
Do you offer virtual sessions?
Yes! I work with families across California through secure online sessions, making it easier for busy parents to access expert support without additional stress.
What happens in the free consultation?
This is a no-pressure, hour-long conversation where we talk about your biggest challenges, what’s worked (or hasn’t), and what kind of support would make the biggest difference for your family. You’ll walk away with clarity on next steps—whether that’s working with me or finding another resource.
What can I do while waiting for therapy to start?
Check out the podcast by my mentor, Robyn Gobbel. She will give you a taste of how we will work together to better understand you and your child's nervous system and how I will help you learn to parent your child's nervous system. To find her podcast, click here.
You Deserve Support: Contact Abby
We will have a brief screening phone call and if it feels right, we will schedule an hour-long, free phone consultation to see if we are a good match for therapy. This is my offering to you, at a time when you are struggling the most.
Book a free Discovery Call: Click here
Life as the Mother of a Gifted Daughter