Trauma Healing Parent Certification
An attachment-based, child focused framework for professionals supporting families in high-conflict separation
Cohort 2 Opening Soon!
When traditional co-parenting advice causes more harm than help
If you work with parents navigating high-conflict separation, post-separation abuse, or ongoing coercive dynamics, you’ve likely noticed something important:
Not all families benefit from traditional co-parenting models.
For children living in chronic stress or relational trauma, well-intentioned advice focused on cooperation, compromise, or fairness can unintentionally:
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overwhelm a child’s nervous system
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ignore attachment injuries
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place unrealistic expectations on protective parents
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increase risk during transitions and contact
This certification was created to address that gap.
A certification designed to shift the lens - from parent-focused
to child-focused
Most professional frameworks in separation and divorce center adult needs:
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adult rights
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adult perspectives
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adult regulation
This program teaches you how to consistently anchor your work in:
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the child’s attachment needs
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nervous system capacity
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developmental stage
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lived experience of conflict and trauma
The guiding question shifts from:
“How do I support this parent?”
to
“What does this child need — and how do we support the parent to provide it?”
What Professionals are Saying...
Professionals from a range of disciplines have described this certification as a transformative shift in how they understand children, trauma, attachment, and coercive dynamics within high-conflict family systems.
"I’ve taken so much from this program and have already started making changes in my facilitation. From sharing more insight around attachment to using more informed, intentional language, this program has really equipped me to show up as the best support I can for parents navigating separation."
Trauma-informed Counsellor
"I thoroughly enjoyed the voyage into the Trauma Healing Parent. It’s expanded my mind and given me a great depth of insight. Particularly, in the work we do with perpetrators."
Co-Parenting Coach
"This has significantly influenced my work as a parenting coordinator, especially in navigating dynamics between safe and high-conflict parents with greater mindfulness and intentionality."
Parenting Coordinator, Mediator
Developed Through Real-World Application
The Trauma Healing Parent Certification was first delivered through an international pilot cohort consisting of parenting coordinators, coaches, counsellors, and family professionals. Participant feedback, case consultation, and practical application informed the evolution of the curriculum now offered in Cohort 2.
But I'm not a parenting coach...
Many divorce coaches hesitate when they hear the word parenting
— and that makes sense.
Most professionals don’t set out to coach parenting.
And yet, parenting guidance is already embedded in the work:
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how parents respond to transitions
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how children’s behavior is interpreted
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how parents talk about the other parent
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how regulation, boundaries, and repair are handled
This certification does not ask you to:
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adopt a prescriptive parenting model
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tell parents “how to parent”
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work outside your professional scope
Instead, it provides a shared, attachment-based foundation so your guidance is informed by:
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trauma science (not personal parenting styles)
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child development (not intuition alone)
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ethical, child-protective decision-making
Who this certification is for...
This program is designed for professionals who:
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work with high-conflict, coercive, or complex separation/divorce cases
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support parents impacted by trauma, toxic stress, or post-separation abuse
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encounter resist–refuse dynamics, alignment, or sudden shifts in parent-child relationships
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want stronger case formulation and clearer boundaries
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feel that traditional co-parenting frameworks fall short
This is not a basic communication or co-parenting course.
It is for professionals who already know the work is more complex.
About AJ Gajjar
Parenting & Trauma Consultant | Child-Centered, Attachment-Based Practice
Your guide, AJ Gajjar is a parenting and trauma consultant who has spent nearly two decades supporting long-term outcomes for children who have experienced early adversity, including high-conflict separation, post-separation abuse, and relational trauma.
Her work is grounded in child development, attachment theory, and trauma science, with a particular focus on how children experience harm — and healing — within family systems over time.
AJ regularly collaborates with parenting coordinators, divorce coaches, family law professionals, and domestic abuse practitioners, helping them apply child-centered, attachment-informed approaches within some of the most complex family systems.
This certification reflects years of observation, professional collaboration, and work alongside families where traditional co-parenting frameworks have proven insufficient — or unsafe — for children.
Professionals internationally have already completed the Trauma Healing Parent Certification, applying the framework within parenting coordination, counselling, mediation, coaching, and family support settings.
Program Overview
A child-focused, attachment-based framework for professionals supporting families in high-conflict separation and divorce.
Over 10 weeks participants learn how to:
✓ Understand coercive and high-conflict family systems
✓ Recognize trauma-driven behavioral adaptations in children
✓ Apply attachment science to real-world cases
✓ Differentiate alienation claims from trauma-informed realities
✓ Support protective parents more effectively
✓ Implement the Trauma Healing Parent model in practice
Module 1: Understanding High-Conflict Family Systems
Learn how to recognize the families this work is designed for by exploring unsafe parenting dynamics, disguised compliance, relational complexity, blocked care, moral injury, and understanding the client's sphere of influence. Participants develop a framework for understanding what can—and cannot—be changed within high-conflict family systems.
Module 2: Understanding Children's Behavior Through the Lens of Stress
Explore how coercive parenting feels from a child's perspective while examining parenting styles, self-regulation, stress responses, toxic stress, and early brain development. Learn how children's behavior often reflects adaptation to their environment rather than intentional defiance.
Module 3: Trauma, Brain Development & Behavioral Adaptation
Examine how trauma shapes the developing brain, influences behavior, impacts executive functioning, and contributes to long-term developmental outcomes. Participants learn to distinguish trauma-related adaptations from symptoms often associated with ADHD, autism, pathological demand avoidance, and other commonly misunderstood presentations.
Module 4: Attachment, Connection & Authenticity
Discover why attachment matters and how connection serves as a primary protective factor for children. Explore bids for connection, the role of oxytocin, the impact of chronic stress on attachment pathways, and the importance of authenticity, belonging, and self-expression in healthy child development.
Module 5: Felt Safety, Attachment Needs & Parenting Myths
Explore attachment styles, the four irreducible needs of children, and the concept of felt safety. Participants critically examine common assumptions about co-parenting, child adjustment, and family functioning through an attachment-informed and trauma-responsive lens.
Module 6: Understanding Alignment, Estrangement & Resist-Refuse Dynamics
Examine why children may align with a coercive parent and learn to distinguish realistic estrangement from parental alienation narratives. Through case examples and practical application, participants develop a more nuanced understanding of children's behavior within high-conflict family systems.
Module 7: Introducing the Trauma Healing Parent Model
Explore the foundational principles of the Trauma Healing Parent Model, including parental adaptability, connection, consistency, stability, and predictability. Participants learn why these factors are critical in helping children recover from chronic stress, trauma, and relational disruption.
Module 8: Pillar One — Relate: Recreating Safety Through Connection
Learn how to help parents rebuild relational and environmental safety through connection, routines, sensory regulation, children's love languages, bridging, and daily experiences of predictability. Participants explore practical strategies that strengthen attachment and support nervous system regulation.
Module 9: Pillar Two — Respond: Building Critical Thinking & Emotional Resilience
Explore how empowering conversations help children develop critical thinking skills, emotional awareness, and resilience. Participants learn strategies for navigating difficult conversations, supporting children through transitions, responding to lying with curiosity, and preparing children to return to challenging environments.
Module 10: Pillar Three — Repair & Reconnect: Healing Through Accountability & Restoration
Learn how rupture and repair strengthen relationships when approached with accountability, empathy, and intention. Participants explore effective repair strategies, the impact of parental trauma, boundaries, spoon theory, and ways to reduce external stressors that interfere with a parent's capacity to show up for their children.
What Professionals Walk Away With...
✓ A deeper understanding of how trauma, attachment, and chronic stress shape children's behavior
✓ Greater confidence distinguishing coercive dynamics from mutual conflict
✓ A framework for understanding resist-refuse dynamics through a child-centered lens
✓ Practical strategies for supporting protective parents without increasing risk
✓ A clearer understanding of how children's nervous systems respond to transitions, conflict, and chronic stress
✓ Tools for facilitating more empowering conversations with parents and children
✓ Greater confidence navigating complex family systems while remaining within professional scope
✓ A practical, attachment-informed framework that can be immediately integrated into existing practice
✓ A community of professionals committed to child-centered, trauma-informed work
Why This Work Matters
Children impacted by trauma, coercive dynamics, and chronic relational stress often adapt in ways that can be easily misunderstood.
The Trauma Healing Parent Certification was developed to help professionals look beyond behavior and better understand the needs, experiences, and adaptations that exist underneath it.
More than teaching new strategies, this certification is designed to change how professionals see.
As our legal, mental health, and family-serving systems continue to evolve in their understanding of trauma, coercive control, and relational harm, professionals are increasingly being asked to navigate dynamics that extend far beyond traditional models of conflict and co-parenting.
Understanding how these dynamics impact children and families is becoming increasingly important for professionals working in this space.
Because when we see children, families, and complex dynamics through a different lens, we are better equipped to support meaningful and lasting change.
Format and Investment
• Live online sessions • Engaging discussions and practical learning
• Opportunity for questions, reflection, and integration • Certification awarded upon completion
• Ongoing Monthly Professional Case Consultation & Reflective Practice Calls
(Payment plans available)
If this speaks to you, we invite you to join us early.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is this a parenting certification?
No. This is a professional certification grounded in attachment theory and trauma science. It supports the work you already do with parents — without requiring you to “coach parenting” or adopt a prescriptive model.
Is this within my scope of practice as a coach? Yes. The focus is on understanding child development, trauma responses, and attachment dynamics so that your existing guidance is better informed and more child-protective. Is this appropriate if I already have other certifications? Absolutely. This certification complements existing training by deepening understanding of attachment, trauma, and child-focused formulation in high-conflict systems. Is this evidence-informed? Yes. The certification integrates research and established theory from attachment, trauma, child development, neuroscience, family systems, and domestic abuse literature, while translating these concepts into practical application for professionals working with children and families. Will this teach me how to handle resist-refuse or alignment cases? Yes — through an attachment-based lens that differentiates realistic estrangement from alienation narratives and prioritizes child safety and nervous system capacity. Are the sessions live or pre-recorded? The certification is delivered through live weekly Zoom sessions. While the curriculum provides a strong foundation, many participants find that the discussion, reflection, and exchange of perspectives with other professionals adds significant value to the learning experience. Are the sessions live or pre-recorded? All sessions are recorded and made available to registered participants, allowing you to revisit the material or catch up if you are unable to attend live. How much time should I expect to commit between sessions? In addition to the weekly live session, participants should anticipate approximately 1–2 hours per week for reflection, optional readings, and integration of the material. Many participants find themselves naturally reflecting on and applying the concepts within their existing work. What professional backgrounds attend? The certification is designed for professionals who support children and families impacted by separation, trauma, and complex family dynamics. Past participants have included parenting coordinators, counsellors, therapists, coaches, mediators, family support professionals, and professionals working within the domestic abuse sector. Is this only for professionals working in high-conflict divorce? No. While many participants work with separation and divorce, the concepts explored throughout the certification are relevant to any professional supporting children and families impacted by trauma, attachment disruption, coercive dynamics, chronic stress, or relational harm. Who should not take this program? This certification is not intended for professionals seeking a quick fix, generic parenting strategies, or a one-size-fits-all co-parenting model. Is there ongoing support after the certification ends? Yes. Graduates will have the option to participate in monthly professional consultation and integration calls to support continued learning, ethical case reflection, and application in complex family systems.
Professionals working with children and families are often asked to navigate some of the most complex dynamics imaginable.
The Trauma Healing Parent Certification offers a child-centered, attachment-informed framework for understanding trauma, coercive dynamics, adaptation, and relational safety within complex family systems.
If you're ready to deepen your understanding, expand your lens, and strengthen your ability to support children and families more effectively, we'd love to have you join us.
The next cohort begins in September 2026 and runs for 10 weeks. All live sessions are recorded and available to registered participants.
Not ready to register yet? Have questions about fit, applicability, or whether this certification aligns with your professional role?