A Journey of Understanding, Healing, and Empowering Families
Growing up in the ’70s and ’80s, Tracy and Dawn were raised in a loving home with two devoted parents, much like many families of that time. To us, it felt like our family was like every other family in the world; after all, you only know what’s around you. Our parents did their best to provide a stable and happy life, yet beneath the surface, we were carrying wounds we didn’t yet know how to address.
At a young age, we both went through unresolved trauma from abuse, which we didn’t have the tools to process. Meanwhile, some of the adults around us were facing mental health challenges, ranging from chronic anxiety to severe personality disorders. Without guidance, we developed unhealthy coping mechanisms in response to the stress and trauma, carrying these behaviors into adolescence and, later, into adulthood. Our lives nearly unraveled under the weight of unresolved trauma and ingrained, self-destructive behaviors.
It wasn’t until Tracy’s career as a behavior consultant began that we both started to understand how these coping mechanisms were deeply affecting our lives. Tracy's journey of discovery began while working with inmates. In her efforts to support their mental health journey and make progress, she found greater success by observing and studying their behaviors rather than relying solely on direct communication.
Tracy began recognizing hidden messages within the inmates’ actions, learning how their behaviors were rooted in past trauma and deep-seated pain. Her work became a journey into understanding behavior motivators and the ways unresolved trauma could shape a person’s actions. Through trial and error, Tracy found methods to connect with these individuals, uncovering the “why” behind their behaviors. Her success in making a difference with the inmates not only transformed their lives but also led to her own healing. Every insight she gained provided answers about her own past and became a step toward resolving her trauma.
From Understanding Others to Healing Ourselves:
A Path of Transformation & Connection
After years working with inmates, Tracy transitioned to working with children. She quickly realized that the root motivators of children’s behaviors mirrored those she had observed in her adult clients.
By diving deeply into children’s actions and studying their behaviors, Tracy developed a strategy to identify the subconscious messages in behavior, helping children heal by addressing the underlying cause of their struggles rather than just the symptoms. This approach was so effective that even colleagues began seeking her advice.
Meanwhile, Dawn was on her own challenging path. Turning to her sister for support, Dawn began recognizing the unhealthy behaviors she had developed as coping mechanisms from unresolved childhood trauma. With Tracy’s guidance, she started uncovering the “why” behind her actions, empowering her to make intentional changes and let go of harmful habits. This transformation was life-changing for both of us, bringing us closer and inspiring us to bring these insights to others.
The Birth of behavior & emotion:
Empowering Parents to Foster Resilience & Emotional Health
It was during this period that the idea for behavior & emotion took shape. With over 20 years of experience as a teacher, Dawn realized she could adapt Tracy’s knowledge into a curriculum to empower parents. We launched behavior & emotion to equip parents with tools to help their children understand and manage their emotions, creating a healthy mind-body balance and ultimately growing into their best selves.
Our mission is simple but profound: to guide parents in uncovering the root causes of their children’s behaviors and equip them with the tools to build mental resilience.
We believe every child can learn to navigate their emotions, overcome challenges, and thrive, but they need support to reach that potential. Today’s youth face unique stressors, and unresolved stress can impact mental health and disrupt family relationships. Tracy and I believe that by teaching parents the secret language of behaviors, we can help them intervene early and prevent their children from going down a path of destructive coping mechanisms.
behavior & emotion is our way of making a difference in the lives of families everywhere. Studies reveal parental stress has become a public health issue, we’re committed to being part of the solution, helping parents nurture resilient, self-aware children who are ready to face life’s challenges.
