Warm and empathic communication with children increases understanding and decreases frustration between children and parents, improves relationships, and reinforces attachments needed for healthy development.
Facilitators:
Dr. Mitchell Shaffer, PhD, LMFT
Sara Soria, MSW
Time:
3-4pm (PST) 6-7pm (EST) Via Zoom
Please maintain confidentiality and refrain from sharing personal information during zoom Parent workshops. Discussions are to remain within the group. All content during the Zoom Parent Workshops session, including audio, video, and chat, belongs to Stepping Forward Counseling Center, LLC (SFCC) and cannot be shared without consent from SFCC. Thank you.Dr. Mitchell Shaffer, PhD, LMFT
Dr. Shaffer brings 30 years of IOP and PCP experience working with teens and young adults. Dr. Shaffer is Canadian born and has been a resident of Southern California for most of his adult life. Mitch and his wife are very proud of their son and two daughters, all in their late teens. An active community member Dr. Shaffer has the insight to the needs of our clients. He will be developing new programs and assisting with the clinical and family treatment at SFCC. Dr. Shaffer has worked with many different modalities like DBT and Dateianhänge CBT in his IOP and PCP programs. Dr. Shaffer is part of SFCC’s DBT team.
Sara Soria, MSW
Sara Soria, MSW is a bilingual clinician originally from Colombia with a strong passion for supporting children and families through compassionate and culturally responsive care. Soria’s journey into the mental health field has been driven by a deep desire to help others heal, grow, and build meaningful connections. She holds a Master’s degree in Social Work and Family Therapy, and is continually seeking opportunities to strengthen her clinical skills and make a positive impact in the lives of those she serves.
Growing up in a multicultural environment shaped her understanding of the importance of identity, language, and community in mental health. Being fluent in both Spanish and English allows Soria to connect with clients from diverse backgrounds and provide services that are inclusive and respectful of their lived experiences.
Outside of her professional life, she finds balance and joy in simple, grounding activities. She enjoys reading, taking walks, practicing yoga, and spending quality time with friends. These hobbies help her stay centered and bring a sense of calm and mindfulness to both her personal and professional life. Soria is committed to continued growth as a clinician and to being a supportive presence in the lives of the individuals and families she works with.