"You cannot lead a child to a place of healing if you do not know the way yourself."
Dr. Karyn Purvis
I'm Peta Kerr
I coach parents that need support during difficult times. I hope to share strategies with you that will improve reliability, consistency, and predictability in your home. All factors that help enhance a safe, nurturing environment for you and your family.
Passcode to Parenting was created by me, Peta Kerr, a Behavioral Specialist from Canada in June 2018. Years after moving to the States and reentering the workforce, I quickly realized that advocating and offering support to families facing crisis was different for each family unit, and I wanted to reach more families with less limitations. Creating my own practice allowed me to do just that!
Collaborate with service providers for a full wraparound support team.
Stay up-to-date with social issues that directly affect those we serve.
Teach new communication styles and break cycles.
We are responsive.
We believe in collaboration.
We truly care about our clients and making a difference.
I was born and raised in Canada. Growing up, my family consisted of the most adoring parents, two sisters, and they were all educators. My mom was a special education teacher, my dad was a high school math teacher, and then went on to teach at the local college where I went to school, my sister is a principal and was previously a kindergarten teacher, and my other sister was a biology teacher. My parents highly encouraged the education profession.
I always loved working with kids. I worked as a camp counselor for years. I then worked within families’ homes, providing respite care for children with special needs. I knew I wanted to work with families but did not want to be a classroom teacher.
After many years of working with families within different roles, such as a Behavior Consultant on the school board, an Applied Behavior Analyst Consultant within a clinical setting, and an Intensive Behavior Interventionist within a segregated preschool setting, I began the next chapter of starting my own family.
After 14 moves internationally and birthing three children in three different countries, I decided it was time to go back to work. Starting back in my career in a different country and being a single mom of three came with challenges. Licensing in Ohio looked completely different from Canada. I quickly realized that my post-graduate studies in Canada did not count in America. As I began re-training myself to learn the differences between the Canadian and American systems, I was hired as an Early Childhood Mental Health Specialist. I emersed myself in any training I could find. I became licensed as an Ohio Certified Prevention Specialist Assistant with the Ohio Chemical Dependency Board. I received certification as a Certified Trauma Practitioner – Clinical. I became certified as an Ohio Infant Family Practioner – II with Ohio Mental Health and Addiction Services, a Certified Family and Divorce Mediator through the Supreme Court of Ohio and recently became licensed with the High Conflict Institute as a New Ways for Families – Coach. Most importantly, I realized I could make a difference.
In 2017, I received my first referral for “Parent Coaching.” There was no defined role within this title. I showed up at my first Parent/Child visit and left knowing this is what I wanted to do. I wanted to create this role and continue working with parents and supporting them within their family unit.
I was born and raised in Canada. Growing up, my family consisted of the most adoring parents, two sisters, and they were all educators. My mom was a special education teacher, my dad was a high school math teacher, and then went on to teach at the local college where I went to school, my sister is a principal and was previously a kindergarten teacher, and my other sister was a biology teacher. My parents highly encouraged the education profession...
Kaitlin is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and holds a bachelor's degree in psychology from Slippery Rock University and a master's degree in social work from Cleveland State University.
After graduating from Slippery Rock, she interned at the Lake Erie Correctional Institute and worked at a residential treatment facility, where she was a Mental Health Specialist in the...READ MORE
Kaitlin Kushan
licensed clinical social worker
outpatient trauma and attachment therapist
Specializes in Early Childhood Mental Health
MSW, LISW,
Reunification Interventionist
Leah has over 15 years of experience supporting students with developmental differences and their families. She started her career working as an Applied Behavior Analysis Therapist at the Cleveland Clinic Center of Autism, where she realized her passion for helping families learn how to best support their students with challenging behaviors both in the home and school environment so they can feel successful and reach independence. She focused her career on becoming a School Psychologist at the Chicago School of Professional Psychology while also starting her work toward becoming a...READ MORE
ED.S, BCBA
Leah Kirkpatrick
Board Certified Behavior Analyst
School Psychologist
Behavior Therapist
Peta is originally from Canada and holds a Bachelor's degree in Child Psychology/ Sociology from Brock University.
After graduating, she worked for the Western Quebec School Board in a behavioral unit as a Behavior Technician. She wrote the behavioral programs for children within the classroom and collaboratively developed IEP/504 goals with the educational team in the district and the families. Her focus and passion shifted to working with children needing severe behavioral, sensory, social, and communication support...READ MORE
COACH, OWNER
Peta Kerr
Parent & Co-Parent Coach
Certified Clinical Trauma Practitioner
OH Supreme Court Family & Divorce Mediator
Parent Coordinator
Kaitlin is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and holds a bachelor's degree in psychology from Slippery Rock University and a master's degree in social work from Cleveland State University.
After graduating from Slippery Rock, she interned at the Lake Erie Correctional Institute and worked at a residential treatment facility, where she was a Mental Health Specialist in the intensive treatment unit. While at the residential facility, she worked with children ages 6-17, all diagnosed with severe behavioral and attachment disorders. She learned to work collaboratively with providers, families, and manage significant behavioral challenges in various environments. Working in the residential treatment setting helped Kaitlin realize her passion for working with children and families struggling with complex developmental trauma.
She then went to graduate school to pursue her passion for helping children and families, where she focused her studies on trauma, attachment, criminal justice involvement in the mental health field, and clinical interventions that can be used to support individuals and families. She left Cleveland State knowing that she wanted to use her degree in the social work field to support the healing, growth, and prevention of complex developmental trauma in children and families...
MSW, LISW,
Reunification Interventionist
Kaitlin Kushan
licensed clinical social worker
outpatient trauma and attachment therapist
Specializes in Early Childhood Mental Health
For the past five years, Kaitlin has been working as an Outpatient Trauma and Attachment Therapist. Kaitlin specializes in early childhood mental health, and currently works with children ages 2-16. As a therapist, she has been conducting psychotherapy for children and their families, facilitating groups on attachment disorders and parent burnout, consulting in classrooms providing behavior planning/management support, and facilitating attachment assessments.
Kaitlin works closely with case workers, support staff, education staff, attorneys, GALs, foster, and kinship families to better support her clients and families. Her experiences working with families with many barriers, such as developmental trauma, mental health concerns, domestic violence, etc., have led her to support each family with a non-judgemental and strengths-based attitude. Kaitlin tailors her support to each family and is respectful of cultural diversity. Kaitlin believes that no one should face life's challenges alone and that working as a part of a cohesive team that meets a person "where they are at" is the best way to help support lifelong changes.
Facilitates groups on attachment disorders and parent burnout, consulting in classrooms providing behavior planning/management support, and facilitating attachment assessments.
MSW, LISW,
Reunification Interventionist
Kaitlin Kushan
Leah has over 15 years of experience supporting students with developmental differences and their families. She started her career working as an Applied Behavior Analysis Therapist at the Cleveland Clinic Center of Autism, where she realized her passion for helping families learn how to best support their students with challenging behaviors both in the home and school environment so they can feel successful and reach independence. She focused her career on becoming a School Psychologist at the Chicago School of Professional Psychology while also starting her work toward becoming a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. Leah's role as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) is pivotal in promoting positive behavior change and improving the lives of individuals with behavioral challenges. She is highly trained to utilize the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) to assess, design, implement, and evaluate behavior change programs and supports.
Leah has worked for ten years as both a school psychologist and BCBA in the Chicago and Cleveland areas in private and public school settings. She has provided behavior modification therapy in the home, school, and clinical settings, placing emphasis on the importance of collaboration with families and school staff. Her experience and knowledge regarding school systems and special education law make her a valuable resource when examining...
ED.S, BCBA
Leah Kirkpatrick
Board Certified Behavior Analyst
School Psychologist
Behavior Therapist
...the best possible supports and environments for student learning. She specializes in restorative practices and behavior modification that is designed to be flexible and meet each individual's lifestyle and needs.
When she isn't working, Leah enjoys spending time with her two little boys, Jacob (5 years old) and Lucas (2.5 years old). Through her role as both a practitioner and a parent, Leah deeply understands the challenges parents face daily with difficult behaviors! Knowing the importance of self-care, Leah takes time to walk her dog, read non-work related books, and spend time hiking with her family in the Cleveland Metroparks.
ED.S, BCBA
Leah Kirkpatrick
Specializes in restorative practices and behavior modification, student support (in-school and at home), and highly trained to utilize the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA).
Peta is originally from Canada and holds a Bachelor's degree in Child Psychology/Sociology from Brock University.
After graduating, she worked for the Western Quebec School Board in a behavioral unit as a Behavior Technician. She wrote the behavioral programs for children within the classroom and collaboratively developed IEP/504 goals with the educational team in the district and the families. Her focus and passion shifted to working with children needing severe behavioral, sensory, social, and communication support.
She then became certified to be an Autism Intervenor and an ABA (Applied Behavioral Analyst) Therapist and worked in various educational and clinical settings, including the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario and the Andrew Fleck Childcare Center in the Autism preschool. Peta obtained her postgraduate certification in Intensive Behavior Intervention through the Behavior Institute of Canada in Ontario. She also furthered her education in verbal behavior, PECS (Picture Exchange Communication System), social skills training for children with Autism, sign language, as well as many additional trainings.
Throughout all of her work experiences and training, her love for working with families as a whole unit continued to grow...
COACH, OWNER
Peta Kerr
Parent & Co-Parent Coach
Certified Clinical Trauma Practitioner
Ohio Supreme Court Family & Divorce Mediator
Parent Coordinator
Peta took some time off to create a family of her own and later moved to Ohio. She has three beautiful children of her own and is part of a blended family in which she is very proud of.
After taking time off to raise her own children, Peta started working as an Early Childhood Mental Health Specialist. She provided social and emotional support to many schools and families throughout the county she works in.
Quite quickly, she started taking referrals for Parent Coaching in this new role. From her first referral, she successfully supported many families throughout Geauga, Lake, and Cuyahoga Counties. She has been dedicating her career path and focusing on bringing her previous experiences together.
Peta is also an active Parent Coordinator and helps to support families with conflict resolution. Peta is licensed to coach high-conflict parents with the New Ways for Families, a court-approved course.
As well as Peta's private practice, Passcode to Parenting, Peta is also a National Master Trainer with PAXIS. She trains Human Service Professionals in PAX TOOLS for Human Services and Community Educators (evidence-based and trauma-informed)...
Specializes in Early Childhood Mental Health, Autism, Behavioral Support, Certified GAL, and Conflict Resolution.
COACH, OWNER
Peta Kerr
Peta works closely with case workers, support staff, education staff, court staff, attorneys, GALs, foster, and kinship families to better support the primary families. Her experiences working with families with many barriers, such as substance abuse, mental health concerns, high-conflict divorce, domestic violence, etc., have led her to support each family with a non-judgemental attitude.
Peta supports each family uniquely and is respectful of cultural diversity. She collaborates as a team member and works as a strength-based focused professional. She continues to learn from each of these families she works with and shares her personal life experiences to build relationships, teach, and grow.
Experience working with families with many barriers such as abuse, mental health concerns, high-conflict divorce, and domestic violence.
COACH, OWNER
Peta Kerr
Maple is the Passcode to Parenting therapy dog certified by Therapy Dog International. She is a hypoallergenic Labradoodle and is available upon request to attend appointments. Maple is specially trained to be calm, gentle, and friendly and loves to bring joy and companionship to those feeling lonely and anxious.
meet maple
if you're facing...
difficulties in parenting
family stress
mental health concerns
high-conflict divorce
trauma
crisis
"Passcode to Parenting is unmatched in the industry. A licensed foster/adoptive parent since 2013, I've been lucky to work with them in their roles as educators, parent coaches, and as support to the families of children in our care. Passcode provides dedicated, compassionate, and objective trauma-informed advice to all clients and truly makes a difference..."
Marlena P.
"Peta is seriously amazing! She has no idea how much she has helped my kids and I and our situation. She is one of the people who saved my life, helped me heal, helped me realize my worth, helped me grow and help me have inner peace! She is truly an amazing soul! Thank you Peta for being you and coming into my life. God sent you to me for a reason and I'm so grateful he did."
Randi A.
"Passcode to Parenting is absolutely amazing! They have been my parent coach and my right hand through a very difficult time. I know other people who also used them, and we have talked about how wonderful it is! An absolute godsend! They know so much and are so helpful and upbeat. I don't know where I'd be without them. 10 out of 10, would recommend!"
David G.
"Peta has been an unbelievable asset to us. She has made me a better parent...Peta has the ability to care for everyone that she wants to help. Thanks, Peta, for being a great person."
Michael I.
"Passcode to Parenting is knowledgeable, friendly, and professional. They have patience and compassion for the families they work with and go above and beyond to accommodate their needs."
H.M.
"Peta is truly an AMAZING person!! She is unbelievably great with children; it's like magic! I'm a first-time single mom, and she has coached me for over a year, and it has helped me SOO much with my 4-year-old toddler boy!"
Kendra T.
Peta is a gem. She makes being a mom a bit easier and is my go-to-lady as things come up. Peta can recognize strengths in both the parent (caretaker) and child and build on those. She offers practical suggestions/solutions... I'm lucky to have her in our life and am forever grateful.
From surviving to thriving. Thank you, Peta!
Halle R.
