Leadership in trauma consultation for children and parents focuses on understanding how trauma affects emotional and psychological health. Key principles include effective communication, involving parents, and using trauma-informed care, which emphasizes empathy and support. Leaders should provide unconditional support for children while also advocating for improvements in family law and public health systems to address trauma effectively. By creating a safe and supportive environment, leaders can greatly enhance the recovery and resilience of traumatized children and their families.
AJ Gajjar, the founder and owner of The Trauma Healing Parent, is a mother, a parenting and trauma consultant, a child development specialist, and an advocate for children. AJ supports and educates professionals in areas such as domestic violence, family law, children’s mental health, and child protection. Her goal is to help them understand the harmful effects of coercive parenting and ongoing trauma on children involved in high-conflict divorces. Additionally, she empowers parents whose children are affected by coercive parenting, Okotoks, Alberta, Canadahelping them build stronger bonds and increase their children’s resilience.
Protecting Kids in Tough Times
Throughout AJ’s career, she has focused on improving outcomes for children, whether by helping preschoolers with developmental delays or those from difficult home environments. Recently, her attention has shifted to the impact of divorce on children.
As she researched this issue, she became increasingly interested in the dynamics of high-conflict divorce and the coercive parenting that often comes with it. She discovered that these situations can lead to serious long-term effects for children, including anxiety, depression, self-harm, risky behaviors, mental and physical health problems, and even suicide. The research highlighted a troubling path for children facing coercive parenting, resulting in relational and developmental trauma with grim outcomes.
Protective parents encounter additional challenges because there is a significant lack of resources available to support these children. Furthermore, there is a general unawareness within family law systems about the effects of high-conflict divorce and coercive parenting.
This prompted her to combine her educational, professional, and lived experiences to create a model aimed at reducing the negative impacts of coercive parenting on children—one that heals their trauma and provides resilience against future challenges.
“I am committed to educating professionals responsible for protecting these children and empowering parents to adopt parenting strategies that prioritize their children’s well-being, regardless of the shortcomings of the system,” she says.
Building a Better Future for Kids
The Trauma Healing Parent was created to fill a major gap in services for children affected by high-conflict divorce, domestic violence, and post-separation abuse. Understanding that there is not enough support for these children, the organization aims to provide important resources that help them heal their trauma and build resilience.
The vision of The Trauma Healing Parent is to assist parents in nurturing their children effectively, enabling them to thrive despite any trauma they may have experienced. By focusing on the well-being of children in high-conflict situations, the organization aims to reduce the negative effects on their growth and development.
The mission is to improve long-term outcomes for children facing early challenges, such as attachment trauma and developmental trauma caused by high-conflict divorce and domestic abuse. The Trauma Healing Parent is committed to empowering parents to create a supportive environment that encourages healing and resilience in their children.
Tools and Resources for Healing
- Group Programming: Offers group sessions for parents to equip them with tools to support their children.
- One-on-One Consulting: Provides personalized consulting for parents in intense situations, addressing their specific needs.
- Community Collaboration: Works with family law, domestic violence sectors, and child advocacy organizations to raise awareness about children’s trauma.
- Adaptable Services: Prioritizes group and individualized support to ensure all parents have access to necessary resources.
The Trauma Healing Parent operates at the intersection of a traditional business and social service, providing a variety of services aimed at helping families affected by trauma.
One of its key offerings is Group Programming, where the organization hosts group sessions for parents. These sessions guide parents through the Trauma Healing Parent program, equipping them with the tools they need to support their children effectively.
For parents facing particularly intense situations, the organization offers One-on-One Consulting. This personalized support addresses specific needs, ensuring that parents receive the attention and guidance required for their unique circumstances.
Additionally, AJ Gajjar collaborates closely with the family law community, domestic violence sector, and child advocacy organizations. This collaboration aims to raise awareness about the trauma experienced by children and the implications of decisions made by these professionals. These services are designed to adapt to the changing needs of families by prioritizing group and individualized support. This ensures that parents have access to the resources they need, regardless of the intensity of their situations.
Overcoming Challenges
One of the main challenges AJ encountered when starting The Trauma Healing Parent was raising awareness about the organization and its mission. It was important to let people know that the organization exists and how vital its services are.
Another challenge was changing the focus of parents involved in high-conflict divorces. While it’s essential to address the issues between the parents, children’s needs often get overlooked during this process. AJ Gajjar found it difficult to encourage parents to prioritize their children’s well-being amidst the conflict. Recognizing and addressing these needs is crucial, as neglecting them can negatively impact children’s long-term health and happiness.
Client-Centered Care
As AJ looks to the future of The Trauma Healing Parent, her focus remains on adapting services to meet the changing needs of clients. Understanding that the organization operates at the intersection of social impact and service provision, AJ is dedicated to responding to the challenges families face.
AJ Gajjar takes a client-centric approach by engaging with clients to learn about their experiences and difficulties within the family law system and court processes. This feedback is invaluable in shaping the programs offered, ensuring they align with the specific needs of those seeking support. AJ is committed to creating systemic change in the family law sector, aiming to ensure that decisions are made in the best interest of children, leading to better outcomes for them.
By prioritizing responsiveness, AJ seeks to tailor services based on the current challenges clients encounter. This approach reflects the core philosophy of meeting clients where they are, a principle that is also taught to parents to support their children.
Roles and Responsibilities in Every Aspect of the Business
As the founder and owner of The Trauma Healing Parent, AJ Gajjar takes on responsibilities that cover nearly every aspect of the business. From managing client bookings and marketing to increasing the company’s visibility and building a strong client base, AJ is actively involved in all operations.
AJ’s journey has been influenced by her background in developmental psychology, which has guided her work with parents and children to improve outcomes for those facing various challenges. Early in her career, she managed several preschools, where she focused on helping children with developmental delays and those from difficult home environments. This experience highlighted the importance of building a team that understands the struggles these children face while also developing long-term support strategies to prevent these challenges from hindering their lives.
One of AJ’s proudest accomplishments is developing a parenting approach specifically designed to help children dealing with ongoing trauma. This approach addresses the systemic issues within the family law system, where custody arrangements may not always prioritize the child’s well-being. AJ’s vision is to ensure that the trauma these children experience does not cause long-term harm, creating a supportive framework based on her education, professional experience, and personal insights. This blend of knowledge and experience has allowed AJ Gajjar to make a meaningful impact on the lives of children and families.
Making Healing Accessible Globally
AJ Gajjar has successfully used technology to improve the services offered by The Trauma Healing Parent, allowing for a wider and more global reach. Most sessions, including group programs and one-on-one coaching, are conducted via Zoom. This flexibility enables AJ to connect with clients from anywhere in the world, removing the need for in-person meetings.
In addition, training for professionals can also be delivered through Zoom or in person, which further expands the network and client base beyond the local community. By incorporating technology, The Trauma Healing Parent can reach a larger audience—ensuring that support and resources are accessible to families in need, no matter where they are located.
Inspiration from Single Mothers
AJ Gajjar finds inspiration from all single mothers. She admires their incredible perseverance and determination, especially as they navigate systems that often do not provide enough support for children or the mothers working hard to protect them. The commitment of single moms, who never give up on their efforts to keep their children safe, deeply inspires AJ.
She appreciates their creativity in problem-solving and their relentless pursuit of different ways to ensure the best outcomes for their kids. While AJ doesn’t point to a single individual as her inspiration, her admiration for single mothers has only grown since she started her work in this field. “Having seen their struggles firsthand, I understand the immense challenges they face and am continually inspired by their resilience and determination.” She says. Their dedication toward their children serves as a powerful motivation for AJ Gajjar in her own work.
AJ’s View on Feminism
“To me, feminism is fundamentally about empowerment, choice, and voice. It involves ensuring that individuals have their choices recognized and their voices heard,” Even in 2025, society remains deeply male-dominated. This is clear in enduring patriarchal institutions like family law, deeply ingrained cultural beliefs and values, and even political systems — all of which continue to place significant obstacles in the path of women.
A key part of AJ’s work in feminism is empowering young girls. She believes in helping children, especially girls, find their voices and feel comfortable expressing themselves from an early age. This practice is important as it prepares them for the challenges they will face in the future. While their voices may not always be welcomed, it is vital for them to understand their right to be heard and for their choices to be respected. By building this confidence early on, AJ hopes to make it easier for future generations of women as they navigate the complexities of the world.
Skills for Successful Female Leaders
According to AJ, an ideal woman leader should have several important qualities. First and foremost, tenacity and perseverance are essential because challenges are bound to arise, and a strong determination to overcome them is crucial. A leader must also possess self-confidence and courage to face these obstacles directly.
Being a female leader involves setting an example for others, particularly those who may be in similar situations. “It’s important to manage oneself effectively and present a composed demeanor, even when faced with difficulties,” she says. Leadership is not always easy, and during tough times, qualities like resilience and the ability to adapt become extremely important.
Adaptability to changing market conditions and the evolving needs of clients is also vital. A successful leader must be able to adjust their services to best meet these needs.
Finding Balance
AJ Gajjar maintains a healthy work-life balance by setting clear boundaries between her professional and personal life. When she spends time with her child, she minimizes work-related tasks to ensure her focus remains on her family. On the other hand, when her child is not with her, AJ uses that time to concentrate on her work.
Her main priority is to achieve the best outcomes for her child, which requires her to be disciplined about her working hours. If her child needs anything, that need always comes first. AJ manages to catch up on other tasks when she is not parenting, allowing her to meet her responsibilities as a founder and single mom. Ultimately, she is a strong believer in “walking the talk” and uses the same strategies and approaches that she teaches parents – prioritize the relationship with your children, everything else comes after.
Advice for Aspiring Leaders
AJ Gajjar stresses the importance of finding something you truly believe in as a crucial first step for aspiring leaders and entrepreneurs, especially women. Her main piece of advice is simple yet powerful: just don’t give up.
‘The journey will definitely be tough and filled with challenges, and there will be days when the urge to quit feels overwhelming. However, having a strong belief in your mission will help you get through those difficult times. Trusting yourself and your vision is vital, as that belief will help you overcome the obstacles and setbacks you may face along the way.’
5 Key Takeaways from AJ Gajjar’s Inspiring Career Journey
- AJ’s work highlights how damaging high-conflict divorces and coercive parenting can be for children. These kids often experience trauma that leads to serious long-term problems, showing the need for specific resources and understanding.
- AJ empowers parents with tools and strategies to support their children through trauma. By teaching parents how to create a safe and supportive environment, she helps children build resilience and heal from their experiences.
- AJ’s work goes beyond individual support. She advocates for changes in the family law system to better protect children and ensure their well-being is prioritized. This involves raising awareness about the impact of trauma and influencing decision-making processes.
- AJ’s journey as a single mother and entrepreneur demonstrates the importance of perseverance. She emphasizes the need to believe in your mission and not give up, even when faced with challenges.
- AJ uses online platforms like Zoom to reach a wider audience, making her services accessible to families globally. This shows how technology can break down barriers and provide support to those who need it, no matter where they live.
