As a middle-schooler, I learned of a 5-year-old being held at our local juvenile detention center for trying to kill his parent. For years, I tried to make sense of that. At 19, I began my work in an orphanage. Since then, much of my work has involved children and families with developmental trauma and very challenging behavior. Continually seeking information, I could not figure out how to reliably help children to be sad, though I knew that this was an important aspect of their healing. Then, in 2013, I attended a lecture by Dan Hughes on DDP . . . Bingo. I am a clinical psychologist, licensed counselor, and clinical supervisor who, for the past 15 years, has helped grow and lead a behavioral health agency in Virginia serving children and families in their homes. I have extensive training in family therapy and recently completed the DDP Practicum with the help of Hannah Sun-Reid and Dan Hughes. I am currently active in Virginia State advocacy policy and regulation efforts where, among other things, I work to promote attachment-focused approaches such as DDP to help children and caretakers heal within safe relationships.