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Kat Scherer, Ph.D., and Elizabeth Sylvester, Ph.D.

About

Kat Scherer, Ph.D., MFT, C-IAYT, is a psychologist, educator and author working in Austin, Texas. She is a co-founder of Austin IN Connection, cohost of Heart and Work blogs on mental health and parenting, and a faculty member at the Practice School of Yoga Therapy.

Elizabeth Sylvester, Ph.D., is a psychologist and Nurtured Heart Approach advanced trainer treating children, teens and families. She specializes in work with emotionally and behaviorally intense children. Additionally, she offers supervision and training to pediatric psychotherapists in Austin, Texas. She is the author with Dr. Kat Scherer of Relationship-Based Treatment of Children and their Parents, Norton, 2022.

Books by Kat Scherer, Ph.D., and Elizabeth Sylvester, Ph.D.
Recent Posts
The Key to Effective Discipline
Children's misbehavior is stressful, and adult emotional reactivity can worsen it. Sometimes, our attempts to discipline children can backfire, escalating upset and acting out.
The Power of Play
The impact of children's play is truly remarkable, nurturing social grace, emotional intelligence, and improving academic and physical abilities—all while having a good time!
The Secret Ingredient to Discipline
There are many reasons why children break the rules or don’t comply with adult wishes, but there is one reason that is easily resolved: behavior problems due to a lack of clarity.
Navigating Parent-Child Conflict
Parent-Child conflict is inevitable; how it's resolved matters. When parents lead in healthy reconnection and repair, children learn powerful lessons and build resilience.
Raising Resilient Children

Emotional resilience fosters a child's success, enabling them to navigate life’s ups and downs—leaning into happy moments and soothing painful ones. It's a remarkable superpower.

Emotional resilience fosters a child's success, enabling them to navigate life’s ups and downs—leaning into happy moments and soothing painful ones. It's a remarkable superpower.

Winning the Long Game in Parenting

When our child is 4 and we are enforcing limits, we are probably not thinking about what our relationship will be when they are 26. But childhood is when it happens.

When our child is 4 and we are enforcing limits, we are probably not thinking about what our relationship will be when they are 26. But childhood is when it happens.

The Parent-Child Match

A mismatch of parent-child personalities can be a hidden gift. Despite the challenges, embracing differences can vitalize family connections and broaden our worldview.

A mismatch of parent-child personalities can be a hidden gift. Despite the challenges, embracing differences can vitalize family connections and broaden our worldview.

Relationship-Based Parenting
The 7 Essential Attachment Needs of Children

Parents want to offer their children the best chance in life. Meeting their foundational needs for social and emotional connection will help them to develop and thrive.

Parents want to offer their children the best chance in life. Meeting their foundational needs for social and emotional connection will help them to develop and thrive.