About Us – Meet Our Expert Team

About Family Flourish

Evidence-based parenting guidance from certified experts who are also real parents.

Our Mission

At Family Flourish, we believe every family deserves access to expert parenting guidance that actually works in real life. Founded in 2019, we've helped over 50,000 parents navigate the challenges of raising happy, healthy, resilient children.

Our team of certified professionals—including family educators, licensed therapists, pediatric nurses, and experienced teachers—translates complex research into practical strategies you can use today.


Meet Our Expert Team

Sarah Mitchell, M.S., CFLE - Founder of Family Flourish

Sarah Mitchell, M.S., CFLE

Founder & Lead Editor

Credentials:

  • Master of Science in Human Development and Family Studies — University of Missouri
  • Certified Family Life Educator (CFLE) — National Council on Family Relations

Experience: 15+ years as a parent educator, family counselor, and workshop facilitator. Former Family Programs Director at Kansas City YMCA. Featured expert in Parents Magazine, Good Housekeeping, and on NBC's Today Show.

Personal: Mother of three children (ages 8, 12, and 16). Lives in Kansas City, Missouri with her husband David and two rescue dogs.

Specializations: Child development, positive discipline, family communication, work-life balance, building resilience in children


Dr. Jennifer Chen, Ph.D., LPC - Child Psychology Expert

Dr. Jennifer Chen, Ph.D., LPC

Child Psychology Expert

Credentials:

  • Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology — University of Texas at Austin
  • Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) — Texas State Board of Examiners
  • Registered Play Therapist (RPT) — Association for Play Therapy

Experience: 12+ years specializing in child and adolescent mental health. Clinical residency at Boston Children's Hospital. Author of “The Calm Child: A Parent's Guide to Managing Anxiety in Kids (HarperCollins, 2022). Featured in The New York Times, Washington Post, and Psychology Today.

Personal: Mother of two young children. Maintains a private practice in Austin, Texas.

Specializations: Child anxiety, ADHD, behavioral challenges, family transitions, play therapy


Rachel Torres, MSN, RN, CPNP - Pediatric Health Expert

Rachel Torres, MSN, RN, CPNP

Pediatric Health Expert

Credentials:

  • Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) — Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing
  • Board-Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (CPNP)
  • PALS & NRP Certified

Experience: 10+ years in pediatric medicine at Children's National Hospital, Washington, D.C. Former pediatric ICU nurse at Duke University Hospital. Medical reviewer for Healthline, Verywell Family, and What to Expect.

Personal: Mother of two daughters. Volunteers at her local community health clinic.

Specializations: Child health, developmental milestones, nutrition, sleep, preventive care


Michael Brooks, M.Ed., NBCT - Education Specialist

Michael Brooks, M.Ed., NBCT

Education Specialist

Credentials:

  • Master of Education (M.Ed.) — Vanderbilt University Peabody College
  • National Board Certified Teacher (NBCT)
  • Orton-Gillingham Trained Reading Specialist

Experience: 18 years of classroom teaching experience. Instructional Coach at Metro Nashville Public Schools. Creator of the “Reading Rescue” program (5,000+ students helped). Featured in Education Week, Edutopia, and The Reading Teacher.

Personal: Father of four children (ages 5 to 17).

Specializations: Early literacy, phonics, reading intervention, learning disabilities, gifted education


Our Editorial Standards

Every article on Family Flourish goes through a rigorous editorial process:

  1. Research: We review peer-reviewed studies and authoritative sources
  2. Expert Writing: Content is written by credentialed professionals
  3. Fact-Checking: All claims are verified against original sources
  4. Expert Review: Health articles are reviewed by licensed professionals
  5. Regular Updates: We update content as new research emerges

Trusted Sources We Cite

  • American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)
  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
  • National Institutes of Health (NIH)
  • American Psychological Association (APA)
  • Peer-reviewed journals (Child Development, Pediatrics, etc.)

Contact Us

General Inquiries: hello@family-flourish.com
Editorial: editor@family-flourish.com
Partnerships: partnerships@family-flourish.com


Family Flourish is independently owned. We may earn commissions from affiliate links, but our editorial content is never influenced by advertisers. See our Affiliate Disclosure and Editorial Policy.