Hi, I’m Dr. Hilary Mandzik! I’m so glad you’re here!
If you’re struggling right now, you’ve landed in the right place. Parenting your highly sensitive child doesn’t have to be this hard. It really is possible to end the constant meltdowns, stop walking on eggshells, ditch the frustration & overwhelm and get to a place where you actually enjoy parenting your highly sensitive child — even in the challenging moments.
I help parents of highly sensitive kids go from barely surviving to feeling good about parenting, even on the hard days.
And I’m not just another parenting “expert” (I actually hate that term!) sharing my opinions on the internet. I’ve got:
a private therapy practice where I specialize in parents’ mental health (so while I care about your child’s well-being, I also care deeply about yours!)
a certificate in perinatal mental health from Postpartum Support International (which means that I’ve got specialized knowledge in parents’ mental health & the transition to parenthood)
3 kids of my own (one is most definitely highly sensitive, and the more I learn about sensitive kids, the more I believe that all three are highly sensitive) … so I really get it. I’m right here in the trenches with you.
a BA in Psychology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (go Heels!)
a Masters of Education from Harvard University
a Doctorate of Psychology from the George Washington University
15 years of experience as a child therapist (so I have lots of experience supporting highly sensitive kids & their parents!)
specialized training in attachment & infant mental health (& I’m a certified Circle of Security Parenting facilitator)
When I’m not working with clients or creating awesome content to support parents of highly sensitive kids, you can find me hanging with my family, practicing yoga, lifting weights, singing along with my favorite Broadway songs, spending time in nature, or relaxing with Netflix or a good book. I’ve also been re-learning French on Duo Lingo (where I unofficially compete with my husband … even though he always wins).
A few fun facts about me
01
I went to a different school every year from kindergarten until 5th grade. I had to get comfortable outside my comfort zone & learn to make new friends quickly, which wasn’t easy as a highly sensitive kid myself! – but these are two skills I’m really glad I have now as an adult!
03
Three months into dating, my now-husband – who ran college track – asked me to run a marathon with him. I thought he was joking; I was at best a casual runner (thanks, high school track). But he helped me train, and we ran the whole thing & even finished holding hands.
04
I genuinely feel good about how I’m parenting now, but it wasn’t always this way. Despite my training & experience, I struggled as a first-time mom to a highly sensitive child. In fact, my struggle is what inspired me to help YOU! You can listen to my story here.
02
I spent 2 years living in New England, where I worked at a residential treatment center for kids who struggled emotionally. I went skiing every morning & walked to work on snowshoes. It was awesome (minus the days where it didn’t get above zero)!