The issue of childhood trauma has been a driving force for me throughout my professional career. I was born in Puerto Rico, grew up in Algeria, Chile, and Switzerland. I spent the early part of my career working along the border in Texas, supporting and caring for migrant families and children, many of whom were dealing with unspeakable trauma, poverty, and acculturation. By the time I was 18 years old, I had been living all over the world and knew that I wanted to go into mental health and try to make a difference for families and children.

These experiences demonstrated the importance of integrating mental health into the education system. This inspired me to pursue both a Master of Education degree with a focus in School Counseling and a License in Professional Counseling. This dual focus has allowed me to bridge the gap between clinical work and educational support, engaging with countless families and highlighting the critical importance of strong support systems in a child’s life.

More recently, as President and CEO at Griffith Centers and in my private practice, I work almost exclusively with children removed from their homes due to dependency and neglect. My unwavering goal is family preservation and supporting the family system. As a licensed therapist and educator with a school certification, I seek to maintain stability in homes, prevent child displacement, and support families through trauma. My commitment to family preservation has remained the cornerstone of my practice.

Over the past two decades, my close collaborations with county treatment teams in the dependency and neglect sector has meant serving as an expert witness in numerous court proceedings, particularly for involuntary termination trials. This expertise underlays the strategies informing this book and provides a unique perspective on the relinquishment process.

Reflecting on this journey and the evolution of my approach to relinquishment counseling, I see the unique and impactful difference it has made in the lives of many families. This book encapsulates my bottom line: to provide a trauma-informed, supportive framework that addresses the complex needs of children and families during the relinquishment process. My hope is to contribute to the stability and happiness of children, ensuring they find permanent, loving homes where they can thrive.