Luisa Bakhoum (She/her)

Parents in families that are multiracial and/or multicultural have additional stressors due to systematic oppression and discrimination. In addition, making decisions for the family can be more complicated when caretakers have different backgrounds and lived experiences. Raising a child in a multiracial and multicultural family involves ongoing conversations about what this means for your child, their identity, the way they will see the world, and the way the world will see them.

Parenting is a big responsibility full of many moments of joy, doubt, love, fear, and more. Many questions about who we want to be as a parent, who we will become in the process, and how our child will ultimately perceive their relationship with us swirl in an expecting parent's mind. I offer a space for expecting parents to share and process all the feelings both positive and negative that come up as they adjust to this impactful transition.

Parents of children who are disabled need much more support than they receive. Often when these parents are navigating these systems in order to access resources for their children, they have experiences that are confusing and/or harmful. They need a place to sort through these experience and feelings so that as they move forward in parenting they feel confident about their parenting choices and are able to find moments of joy in their day-to-day.

In recognizing that it will take time to change systems in our world that oppress people, I find it important to find ways to find joy in day-to-day experiences in order to balance the suffering these systems cause. I will never ask a client to just accept their suffering therefore I practice ACT with cultural considerations and modifications, with the ultimate goal of helping my clients find joy in their life, despite the systems that are harmful.

I have worked with BIPOC families entering parenthood for several years. During that time I have learned how important is to consider the ways in which race and culture inform a person's stressors, protective factors, and parenting styles. As a woman of color, I also understand from a personal perspective the importance of recognizing the influence culture and race having in our experiences.

I work with an identity-first model which recognizes that the world is set up for people who meet a very specific set of standards. This can create shame and stigma about anything that is outside of the norm. Because my approach is holistic, meaning I recognize that each area of a person’s life affects all areas of their life, when working with clients I prioritize all parts of the person equally.

Taking care of all the necessities of a family can lead to stress and burnout. Caregivers often don't have time to process their own experiences, sort their thoughts, and make decisions that are in alignment with their values because their day-to-day is consumed with responsibilities. When caregivers have space for themselves, they are able to choose paths for themselves and their families that are more authentic and therefore sustainable. Caregivers' will-being is essential.

When there is conflict in the parent-child relationship levels of stress for anyone in the family increase. It is important for parents to be able to have a space to process and sort through the experiences they are having with their child, so they can choose a path that leads to less distress and more enjoyment. The work can be to learn new tools to navigate parenting, and to learn new concepts to understand the child better. Parents need a safe space to explore their experiences in parenting.

Family dynamics are complex. Independent of what family has looked like for you in the past or in the present, one thing that is true is that how we were raised is an essential part of who we are. If as an adult now you are evaluating the ways in which you were raised and how that impacts your relationship with yourself and others, you may be feeling like you need a safe space to explore who you are and why, as well as what is authentic to you and what you are ready to unlearn.

Relationships are complex because the individuals within have been shaped by their life experiences. For some relationships this means navigating cultural and/or racial differences that impact how each person sees the world, and how the world sees them. I want to offer a culturally responsive space where talking about those differences and how they impact the relationship can be done in a way that ultimately leads the people in the relationship feeling seen and validated.

Growth is a constant in life. As you are evaluating what has shaped you into the person you are today, you are also evaluating what parts of you are true to you and are in true alignment with who you want to be, and what parts of you no longer serve you and you are ready to release. This process of growth can be gentle and supportive. I want to offer a space for you to explore your growth and development so that you can live the life you want, and deserve, to live.