Program Director & Founder
Karen Poitras is a respite provider, parent coach, and therapeutic course instructor who is dedicated to helping children and families heal from the effects of Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD), Developmental Trauma Disorder (DTD), and other attachment-related issues.
She has been working with children with RAD and their families since 2012 and began providing respite care full-time in 2014. Since 2012, Karen has volunteered at over 25 family bonding camps and has worked with over 350 children and families.
Karen holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in counselling psychology to becoming a family-based trauma and attachment therapist.
“I have made it my life’s mission to help children and families to heal from childhood trauma, to educate families and professionals about RAD, and to help stop the cycle of early childhood trauma and its life-long effects.”
Karen lives in the town of Mariapolis, Manitoba and runs the on-site and online programs for The RADish Ranch. She provides in-home respite care and coaching for families and is a Team Leader for Camp Attach.
“Karen is a wealth of information – she really understands supporting families and working with RAD. I attended one of her 3 day seminars [in-person Therapeutic Parenting Course] and it was so helpful.“ – Parenting course participant
“Karen is a true light in the darkness!“ – Parent of a child with RAD
“Karen helped us with [our child] years ago when we were new to the diagnosis of RAD. She is one of the few who has never dismissed anything I’ve had to say or share as a RAD parent. She understands!“ – Camp parent
“How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world” Anne Frank