About Loving Parents
Loving Parents is a 501(c)(3) non profit organization focused on supporting Austin parents. Loving Parents envisions a community of connected, loving, and resourced families in Austin. We see a community where parents are cared for and have what they need to be healthy, and we see the beautiful impact that loving parenting has on multiple generations of children.
We seek to uplift families by meeting parents where they are, by supporting them in a way that is holistic, trauma-informed, and connected, and by creating communities where parents find real belonging.
Our Core Beliefs
• How parents are doing is how their kids are doing. Children experience positive outcomes when parents are supported and nurtured.
• Trauma is a part of being human. All of our practices include a trauma-informed approach, and our staff and volunteers are all prepared to show up in a compassionate way for other humans.
• We are holistic and body-centered. We believe our bodies hold the stories of our lives as well as the keys to healing.
• Parents need and deserve deep and compassionate support throughout the different ages and stages of their children. Raising a teenager can be just as challenging as the first days as a new parent. Parenting is not easy, but it can be the most rewarding job any of us get to do. True and deep support helps parents show up as their best selves. Support is vital!
• Building resilience is key to navigating our best lives as humans. All our programs are built around supporting our clients as they build up their resilience and emotional capacity.
• We offer loving, compassionate care to people –including our people. For those of us at Loving Parents to do this important work, we need to care for ourselves deeply. This is a daily practice.
• Connected community is vital to the health of humans. A Connected Community is one where we are showing up as authentic humans and expect others to do the same. A Connected Community is a group of people who feel they belong with each other.
Loving Parents Board of Directors
Active Board Members
Sarah Stasica
Hava Kane
Maria Curley
Former Board Members
Kareshma Pooran
Leigh Gatlin
Stephanie Bazan
Rachel Fratto
Claire Gloria
Heather McKenzie
Katie Schooner
Loving Parents Origin
Sarah Stasica and Peter Norris met in the Fall of 2021 as they were beginning their studies at the University of Houston's Graduate College of Social Work. Their shared experience in raising children, and their interest in changing the landscape of how parents are supported, resulted in the creation of Loving Parents. They focused their studies on the development of an organization that could reflect the values of the profession of social work and meet parents where they are in the long journey that is parenting. Along the way, they have found others who believe in the power of supporting parents and a special group of those amazing people are the Loving Parents board members. They all share in the desire to bring a trauma-informed approach and deep compassion to supporting parents, and they are excited about empowering parents in Austin, TX.
Loving Parents Team
Ann Gilbert, LCSW — Executive Director, Clinical Therapist
Hi, and welcome! I'm a therapist who helps parents in recovery reconnect with themselves during seasons of change. You might be rediscovering who you are after getting sober or navigating the ongoing identity shifts of parenthood. I’m in recovery myself, and I understand how getting sober changed every facet of my life. Together, we'll explore what matters most to you and build a life that feels aligned with who you're becoming.
My approach is warm, collaborative, and grounded in creating a space where you can be fully yourself. We'll explore your story with curiosity and learn how your experiences have impacted you, while weaving in tangible skills to help you through day-to-day challenges.
I use evidence-based approaches without losing sight of the connection at the heart of therapy. Our first session is will help us better understand what brings you in and name the most helpful next steps.
I am honored and overjoyed to serve as a the Executive Director at Loving Parents and drive our next steps towards supporting families impacted by addiction.
If you would like to schedule a free 15 minute consultation with Ann, please contact us here.
Texas LCSW License #105976