Kate Kent Counseling

I am a PDA-affirming clinician. I am also the mom of a PDAer.  One of my passions is working with other PDA families.  When you live this life, it can be hard to find people who actually understand.  I promise, I will not recommend sticker charts.

I am not a coach.  In truth, we are all figuring it out together.  But I have been doing this for quite some time now, and I may be able to fast-track you to some interventions that are more helpful or advise you to skip others that are less likely to provide positive outcomes.

I always say that PDA is like a rollercoaster.  When you are headed downhill, you are going downhill fast, and you know it.  When you aren’t heading downhill, you’re still waiting for the drop.  And maybe, if you’re like me, when things are going smoothly, you sometimes forget there are more loops ahead and they catch you by surprise. Whether you are new to PDA or you’ve been doing this for a while – it’s a wild ride.

I work with parents of PDAers. For parents who are just beginning to explore PDA, I provide education about how it functions. As you begin your research, I can help you work through the paradigm shift that you see spoken about in PDA circles online. For those who are interested in moving to a low demand parenting approach, but struggling with some of the pieces, I can help you with that. I work with PDA parents together to help get on the same page with parenting and consider new strategies.  I also often work with PDA parents individually who are working on their own issues but want to work with someone who understands the dynamics in their home. I work with teen and adult PDAers to help find balance and peace. Finally, I have found that PDA involvement can drive a wedge into the relationship between parents, and some of the most meaningful work I have done is to support the relationship at these times.

In addition to my clinical work, I am active in the mental health community, working with other clinicians and prescribers to expand awareness of PDA.  As a former school counselor with over a decade of experience in public schools, I can help you think about and advocate for accommodations that may help your PDAer be better able to access the school environment.

Finally, I run a FREE Houston-area virtual support group.  We meet on Wednesdays at noon, and if you would like to participate, just drop me a note on the Contact page.