On Wednesday, February 28^th from 7-9pm, licensed psychologists Dr. Jennifer Sanderson and Dr. Nicole Swaggerty-Valdes will offer a unique lecture on parenting to address the dilemma all parents face: how to balance love and discipline. This first, in a series of parenting workshops, promises to be a lively discussion. The last 30 minutes of the lecture will be reserved for open discussion.

Workshop Objectives:

1. Drawing from Novick and Novick’s Emotional Muscle: Strong Parents, Strong Children and Wake’s The Good Enough Parent, the presenters will discuss the link between developmental stage and behavior and how to respond based on stage of development to promote emotional growth, inner strength, and self-esteem.
2. Parents will learn how to balance discipline and love through the use of positive reinforcement. Specifically, the presenters will present a framework for prioritizing quality time and encouraging positive behavior, as well as teach parents how to determine when to ignore or intervene in negative behavior.
3. For parents who are struggling with behavioral issues, the presenters will provide a list of local agencies and providers who can help.

Fees & Registration:
There is no fee for this presentation. A $10 optional donation can be made to Parent Association (PA) to benefit MSPCS. Parents do not have to have children enrolled at MSPCS to attend. However, seating is limited. Please sign up through this link to ensure your seat.

Dr. Jennifer Sanderson earned a  Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology from Nova Southeastern University. She has specialized experience in behavioral, social, and learning difficulties. Her graduate clinical training included working with children and families through The Children and Family Consortium at Easter Seals, the University of Miami Mailman Center for Child Development, and Achievement & Rehabilitation Centers, Inc. (ARC Broward). Dr. Sanderson completed internship at the UCLA Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, and a two-year psychology fellowship in the highly acclaimed UCLA PEERS® Clinic, providing and developing evidence-based social skills treatments for children, adolescents, and young adults with ASD and other social challenges. She completed a postdoctoral residency at Nova Southeastern University’s Mailman Segal Center. She has taught and developed graduate coursework in developmental disabilities and Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) as an Adjunct Professor at Nova Southeastern University and Florida Atlantic University. In private practice, Dr. Sanderson coaches parents on dealing with behavioral challenges.

Dr. Nicole Swaggerty-Valdes earned a Master’s and Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Nova Southeastern University. She obtained her clinical training at Florida Atlantic University’s Student Counseling Center, Memorial Regional Hospital’s Inpatient Behavioral Health Unit, GeoCare/South Florida State Hospital, and served as a postdoctoral resident at Citrus Health Network’s Statewide Inpatient Psychiatric Program for children and adolescents. Dr. Swaggerty-Valdes was also part of a research team investigating the efficacy of psychotropic medications seeking FDA approval. She has served as an adjunct clinical professor and supervisor for the Center for Psychological Studies’ doctoral program at Nova Southeastern University. Dr. Swaggerty-Valdes holds a specialty in psychodynamic psychotherapy and completed the two-year Psychodynamic Psychotherapy Course (PPC) through the Florida Psychoanalytic Institute. In private practice, she works with children, parents, and teens to help them build stronger family bonds and resolve difficulties.