Meet Dr. Barbara Stroud | Child Psychologist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Dr. Barbara Stroud and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Dr. Barbara, other than deciding to work for yourself, what was the single most important decision you made that contributed to your success?
Trusting myself and my voice. Understanding that I have a powerful message and vision. I offer compassion, acceptance, validation of diversity and joy, in all that I do. We have a population that is hungry for authentic connection, validation of their truth, and the need for deeper self-understanding in a nation where a new concept, best practice, or App, is released daily. I remind people that they have the tools they need. This moment in time and the colonizer’s model, has led us to believe that we are less than we truly are. I help to reawaken the unique gifting within each individual.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I work in the field of Infant Mental Health. Which in short means that I support parents and caregivers to fall in love with the child they have, which may not be the child they dreamed of. Our science informs us that relationships support all development across the lifespan. As a result, I currently assist professionals in approaching all areas of early development, (emotional health, motor development, language, physical health, school readiness, and self-esteem) from a relationship-based lens. We also have greater knowledge of how brain system availability can help or hamper learning. In my work, I assist professionals that work with children, preschool teachers, nurses, occupational therapist, mental health providers, parents and more, to understand the importance of their emotional health as it supports the child’s development. Emotional connection fuels relational health, supports social emotional development, and prepares children for both school and life. All relationships are embedded in culture. Whenever we are working with families, we intentionally hold space to listen and learn about the complexity of each family’s unique cultural story.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
As I currently live in Northern Cal, I think I would fly down to Southern Cal and begin at the Santa Monica Pier, followed by horseback riding in the Hollywood Hills, and maybe even Pinks for dinner. A very So Cal tourist day. Next, I would plan a trip up the coast. First stop Hearst Castle, perhaps 2 days in Paso Robles for some wine tasting. Then back on the road and up to Pebble Beach for the view, Monterey Bay for the aquarium, and Capitola for beachside dining and live music. If we had enough time, end the visit with a tour of Muir Woods, visit the Golden Gate Bridge, and some local dining in San Francisco.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My staff and team at the Los Angeles Child Guidance Clinic, Early Intervention & Training Institute 2002 – 2008

The ZERO TO THREE Fellowship Program of which I am a graduate

All of the families that have allowed me into their homes to work with their children and to learn together how to support individual success from a lens that embraces family culture and each child’s unique gifts

Website: drbarbarastroud.com

Instagram: dr.stroud

Linkedin: Dr. Barbara Stroud

Facebook: Barbara Stroud Training

Youtube: Dr. Barbara Stroud

Other: Amazon Best Seller – Intentional Living: finding the inner peace to create successful relationships https://www.amazon.com/Intentional-Living-finding-successful-relationships/dp/150071836X/ref=sr_1_9?crid=8AO4T2562FW7&keywords=intentional+living&qid=1705535079&sprefix=intentioanl+living+%2Caps%2C142&sr=8-9