Trauma-Informed Parenting Intervention
Understanding Trauma’s Impact on Parenting and Exploring Evidence-Based Solutions
Parenting in a military-connected family comes with unique challenges, especially when navigating the effects of trauma and stress. This session uncovers the findings of a recently completed study that highlights the critical link between parental trauma, mental health, and child well-being.
Explore how these findings have shaped Parenting-STAIR (PSTAIR), an evidence-based, trauma-informed intervention specifically designed for military-connected mothers. This 12-16 session program, available for Texans in-person at select clinics and via telehealth, offers an innovative approach to strengthening parent-child relationships and fostering resilience within military families.
About the Speaker
Dr. Kathrine Sullivan is an Associate Professor at the New York University (NYU) Silver School of Social Work. Her research centers on the impact of trauma and other risk factors on family dynamics, particularly in military families. As principal investigator on a National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) funded study, she leads the development of Parenting-STAIR, a trauma-focused parenting intervention tailored for military-connected mothers and their children. Dr. Sullivan’s work is published in leading journals, including Child Maltreatment, Family Process, Journal of Family Psychology, and JAMA Pediatrics. Before earning her PhD at the University of Southern California Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work, she spent six years as a community mental health clinician supporting children and families who had experienced trauma. Dr. Sullivan’s teaching and research are deeply informed by these clinical experiences.
NYU Silver School of Social Work is a premier locus for research and education of professional social workers. Founded in 1960, NYU Silver is renowned for its strong tradition of clinical excellence, dedication to social justice, and innovative teaching, which prepare graduates for careers of meaningful impact. NYU Silver’s faculty are on the leading edge of scholarly research and address society’s most intractable problems with a focus on proactive approaches and preventive interventions that transform lives.
Dr. Sullivan also partners with Cohen Veteran’s Network (CVN), a national not for profit organization serving veterans and military families across the U.S.
What You'll Gain
This Event is Open To
This event is open to all members of the military and veteran-connected community. Eligibility varies by session. View our event calendar for details on other offerings.
About EmpowerEd
EmpowerEd offers expert-led, topic-driven seminars designed to equip military and veteran families and community members with valuable information, practical tools, and trusted resources.
Most sessions are followed by an optional peer support event, Let’s Talk About It—a space to reflect, connect, and share takeaways in a supportive community. While attending the seminar is encouraged, it’s not required to join the discussion. Please note that registration for Let’s Talk About It is separate from the EmpowerEd seminar.
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Looking for one-on-one support? Peer 2 Peer Connect pairs you with a trained VSN Peer Leader for individualized support. For more resources and updates, follow @veteranspousenetwork and subscribe to the VSN Newsletter. Questions or concerns? We’re here to help at vsn@austin.utexas.edu.
