Parenting can be profoundly rewarding, but for many it also brings stress, self-doubt, and old wounds to the surface. This is especially true for parents with histories of trauma, depression, or anxiety—who often find themselves working hard to break cycles of intergenerational pain while carrying heavy responsibilities in the present.

Dr. Pearson brings both clinical expertise and research leadership to her work with parents. She is an investigator on a Department of Defense–funded trial studying the most effective ways to support trauma-exposed parents. This research reflects her deep commitment to helping families build resilience, improve communication, and strengthen connections even in the face of stress and adversity.

Her approach integrates an extensive knowledge base in family communication and the biological effects of trauma with evidence-based therapies such as Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), Prolonged Exposure (PE), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). This allows her to help parents not only manage symptoms of PTSD, depression, or anxiety, but also develop practical strategies for responding to stress in ways that foster healthier parent–child relationships.

Parents who work with Dr. Pearson gain tools to:

• Recognize and interrupt patterns that keep them “stuck” in cycles of stress or trauma.

• Strengthen communication within the family.

• Improve emotional regulation and stress response.

• Build a parenting style grounded in compassion, flexibility, and values.

Through this work, parents can feel more confident and present, while creating a more supportive and connected foundation for their families.