Deborah MacNamara, PhD is on Faculty at the Neufeld Institute, author of Rest, Play, Grow: Making Sense of Preschoolers (or anyone who acts like one), and operates a counselling practice supporting families. She is a dynamic teacher and experienced counsellor who makes developmental science come to life in the everyday context of home and classroom.

Deborah travels nationally and internationally, speaking on child and adolescent development issues, with past groups including the United Nations and the Dalai Lama Center for Peace and Education. With over 60 presentations a year to parents, educators, child care professionals, social workers, foster and adopt community, and health care professionals, Deborah shares her insight and passion for making sense of kids. Her articles also appear regularly in parenting magazines, websites, and newsletters across Canada and internationally including Australia’s “Nurture-Natural Parenting Magazine” where she is a regular contributor. She is also a regular guest on radio and television programs dealing with developmental issues. Deborah is a developmentalist at heart who is continually fascinated by the mysteries and beauty inherent in human maturation.