I’m a researcher and author, and I offer one-on-one consultations, speaking and writing on how our experiences shape us.
Sometimes we recognize patterns in our lives without knowing how they formed—or what to do next.
I didn’t build this work on my experience alone. The deeper I went into the study of developmental psychology, the more I recognized those patterns, so I expanded the work to adoptees across the globe and to survivors of trauma. Our stories don’t need to match.
Where we begin
I don’t believe in a hierarchy of trauma, where one experience outranks another. What matters is understanding the research, undiluted by individual accounts, while holding space for each unique story as a study in itself.
We may find words for our experiences without finding the understanding we need. Labels can name a pattern, but they cannot hold the whole of our lives.
I bring research into everyday language so we can explore it alongside your experience. We make room for context, relationships, culture, and the questions that matter to you.
We can be curious about our patterns without making them the whole story of who we are.
Doctoral-level research in human development, guided by dynamic systems theory.
Adopted internationally from Korea at age 12, and the adoptive and biological parent of four young adults.
Scholarly ideas in everyday language, through consultation, speaking, writing and short-form video.
The framework
Retrain Your Brain™
Retrain Your Brain™ is a developmental psychology-informed framework built on the belief that understanding creates possibility.
Retrain Your Brain™ focuses on understanding first.
Development remains possible.
Explore Retrain Your Brain™Work together
Choose the starting point that best fits your needs. Each offering is grounded in developmental psychology, attachment theory, trauma research, adoption studies, and lived experience.
For everyone. Start here.
Not sure where to begin? This brief conversation helps us determine the best next step for your situation. No pressure and no scripts, just an honest discussion about your goals and whether one of my services is the right fit.
For adoptees
Explore identity, reunion, belonging, grief, cultural identity, family relationships, and life transitions through an adoptee-informed lens grounded in developmental psychology and lived experience.
For individuals seeking understanding
Gain a deeper understanding of attachment, trauma, resilience, developmental pathways, and behavior through research-informed education and discussion.
For parents and families
Attachment-informed guidance for adoptive parents, foster parents, kinship caregivers, and families navigating complex developmental and behavioral challenges.
For helping professionals
For therapists, educators, social workers, advocates, researchers, agencies, and nonprofit organizations seeking insight informed by developmental psychology, attachment theory, trauma research, adoption studies, and lived experience.
For organizations, professionals and readers
For organizations, agencies, universities, nonprofits, podcasts, conferences, helping professionals, book clubs, and reader groups seeking adoption-competent and attachment-informed education.
Consultations are educational and for adults aged 18 and over. They are not therapy, diagnosis or crisis care. Payment is required at booking. Appointments may be rescheduled with at least 24 hours’ notice. Scope and safety
Speaking & workshops
Keynotes, workshops and professional training on identity, attachment, adoption and lifelong development, in plain language.
The book
The first book in a memoir trilogy: present-day reflections woven with the psychology of adoption, attachment, and coming home to yourself.
Shop the collection
Research & writing
Explore how our experiences shape us, with research in everyday language and room for questions of your own.
Research brief4 min read
Three published studies follow adopted people beyond childhood. A plain-language summary of what each one measured, what it found, and what the numbers can and cannot tell us.
You’ll receive honest reflections on adoption, attachment, trauma, identity, developmental psychology, research, writing, and the work I am building — no fluff and no constant sales pitch.
You don’t need to have the right words or a clear plan. We can begin with what brings you here and explore whether working together feels right.
