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About Ceara
Hi! I’m Dr. Ceara Deno. I’m a mom to 2 teen boys, a parent coach and a practicing newborn medicine pediatrician.
Why do I support parents of highly sensitive kids? I do this work because I understand the challenges first hand. That’s because I'm a parent of a sensitive child, and growing up, I was a highly sensitive child myself.
Yup.
So I’ve been studying sensitivity firsthand in my own life for almost 50 years now.
Because of my own sensitivity, I understand what the world feels like when you are walking around with a more sensitive nervous system, one that reacts extra strongly to both the physical and emotional environment. I know the amazing joys and the stresses that brings.
I understand when kids gets overstimulated and overwhelmed easily, because it happens to me, too. I understand when kids are intensely sensitive to criticism, because it happens to me, too. I understand when kids hate to lose, because it happens to me, too. And I understand what it’s like to need a lot of downtime to recover from stimulation or emotional upset, because it happens to me, too.
But I didn’t always understand how to parent a highly sensitive child, or how to thrive as a parent with sensitivity.
I started needing help.
Before becoming a parent coach 8 years ago, I wanted a close, connected relationship with my children, but I was struggled with “being the boss.”
I didn’t know how to set limits, or what to do when my kids got upset about the limits. I didn’t understand how to stay peaceful when my kids were angry with me. Sometimes I would give in. Sometimes I would get angry with myself for my inconsistency, and becoming exceedingly harsh.
When my kids got upset when I told them “no," I would get upset too, which made them more upset, which made me upset. Then the whole situation would just get worse. I knew I needed help. I knew there must be a better way.
Dr. Ceara Deno
Hi! I’m Dr. Ceara Deno. I support parents who feel stuck in constant power struggles or arguments with their child, and guide them to feel more confident and competent as parents.
Most of us didn’t learn these skills, so we are parenting without instructions
Luckily, in 2017, I found the Jai Institute for Parenting. At Jai, I trained and became certified as a Parent Coach.
At Jai, I learned to show up as the emotional leader of my family. I learned I could show up peacefully, even when my children were angry, and hold boundaries without having to use power or manipulation. I learned ways to communicate that increased compassion, empathy and cooperation. I learned to be self-forgiving and self-compassionate.
Today, I have a dream relationship with my children, and a peaceful (occasionally loud) home. I’m not a perfect parent, but I know I can get through any challenge with my children.
Our relationship is based on mutual trust, respect, love and authentic communication. It’s also based on the idea that we can make mistakes, and apologize and take accountability. We are not required to have all the answers, or to always know what to do, and that’s OK.
What do I love most about being a parent coach? I love making people’s lives better!! Is there anything in the world better than that? I don’t think so.
What are my unique gifts as a coach?
1.) I am a pediatrician. After 18 years working as a newborn medicine physician in the stressful environment of the neonatal intensive care unit, I am calm under pressure. I understand child development, health and the lives of parents in a deep way. I understand why self-care is critical for parents. I am skilled at creating quick rapport with parents and communicating in ways that are gentle and direct. I can hold the big picture in my mind and not get lost in the details of the moment.
2.) I have a gift of natural empathy. My natural empathy allows me to quickly and intuitively see under a child’s behavior to their underlying feelings and intentions. This allows the families I work with to feel seen, heard and understood on a deep level. This understanding helps us create powerful transformations for children and parents. One of my favorite ways to use my gifts of empathy is to help couples who may not be on the same page with parenting to become a unified, supportive parenting team.
3.) I create confidence in others. After working with me, I’ve been told, everyone feels more confident and competent.
4.) I bring humor, silliness, light-heartedness and playfulness to my coaching. Life is stressful. But when we can find moments of joy during chaos, moments of connection in stress, we are naturally more resilient and optimistic. Also, play allows us to connect with our children, and our own inner child.
