Extraordinary Parenting (XP) builds hope and resilience in children with high trauma needs and the families, agencies and communities that serve them. Collectively, XP provides consulting, advocacy, evaluation, intervention and support.

The R.I.S.E. (Relational, Integrative, Supportive, Experiences) Philosophy of Care was created by XP founder Tiffany Sudela-Junker, and is a result of her own parenting transformation, extensive experience and long standing work supporting caregivers, educators, community members and youth as an advocate, educator and coach.

Children who experience early trauma often have very real, trauma-related physiological needs and neurobiological differences resulting in a sensitized nervous system. With the right kind of soothing support, education and tools, they can become empowered with tools for self-regulation, manage big feeling floods and achieve higher function. Regulation & Resilience Coaching offers specialized, focused support for youth in understanding and implementing the science of hope and resilience. By learning and using tools for managing trauma-related behaviors, coaching supports healthy relationships and creates a balanced living structure that supports recovery. Parent and caregiver consultation provides support for parents in understanding and meeting the nuanced needs of their children and empowering them to advocate and build natural supports that also meet the needs of the children they serve.

Polyvagal Theory or the “science of feeling safe,” is a key research advancement that helps us better understand our kids’ challenges and gives us a foundational framework for non-invasive ways to support them. The brain is able to change in response to stimulation, or has neuroplasticity. Safe Sound Protocol is based on this principle, providing gentle and specific audio stimulation in order to activate the neural pathways used in the processing of sensory information, to help change and improve how we feel, think and connect with others.

XP offers specialized assessments catering to the nuanced needs of children whose early experiences have contributed to high levels of toxic stress and resulting challenges related to attachment and trauma. These assessments, combined with the implementation of the R.I.S.E. Philosophy of Care by a community of capable, caring adults provides a “blueprint” for building hope and resilience at home and in community.

For families who are in need of immediate care and support, we have designed a 3-4 day intensive experiential opportunity to remove the stressors of daily life, stop the clock and gain new knowledge, insights and focus on a “new way of being” in relationship with children and youth with trauma-related needs. Designed for either individual families or small groups of families within a community or agency setting, this immersive learning experience gives caregivers and helpers and natural supports the opportunity to learn WHY children who experience early trauma behave differently, provides them practical tools and an easy to follow structure to implement them at home, along with an opportunity to practice the tools on site with the support of experienced professionals.