Foundations of Our Approach

At The Hero Makers, we believe families do well when they are supported with understanding, practical tools, and compassion. Our approach is grounded in well-established research and practices that emphasize safety, connection, and skill-building over compliance or punishment.

What Guides Our Work

Our programs and resources are informed by a blend of research and practice across multiple disciplines, including:

  • Neuroscience & Brain Development
    Understanding how stress, safety, and regulation impact the brain and body—especially under adversity—helps us prioritize regulation before reasoning and connection before correction. Influences include the work of DR. Bruce Perry, whose research highlights how the brain responds to stress and trauma.

  • Attachment & Relational Safety
    We emphasize the importance of safe, responsive relationships as the foundation for learning, healing, and growth.

  • Interpersonal Neurobiology & Mindful Awareness
    Our work reflects principles from DR. Daniel Siegel, including the integration of brain, body, and relationships, and the role of awareness and reflection in regulation and resilience.

  • Collaborative and Skill-Building Approaches
    We focus on collaboration, curiosity, and shared problem-solving—recognizing that challenging behaviors signal unmet needs or lagging skills, not a lack of motivation.

  • Collaborative Problem Solving®

    The Collaborative Problem Solving® approach, owned and developed by Think:Kids (www.thinkkids.org)

    in the Department of Psychiatry at Massachusetts General Hospital, starts with the philosophy that all

    kids want to do well and will do well if they can-that kids lack skill, not will

How We Use This Research

We translate research into:

  • Simple, usable language

  • Visual tools for adults and children

  • Trauma-responsive strategies that work in real life

  • Practices that honor dignity, nervous system safety, and relationship repair

Our goal is not to overwhelm families with theory, but to empower them with tools that help in the moment—and build skills over time.