KC:DT was founded on a bold belief:
We See Individual Differences as the Norm, Not the Exception
After completing our graduate and doctorate degrees in the early 2000s, we both found ourselves in Chicago, unknowingly beginning parallel journeys that would eventually transform how we understood child development. We didn't know each other then, but we shared something profound: a growing awareness that the behavior-based therapeutic approaches we saw weren't honoring the whole child.
Our Story
Building Something Different in Kansas City
By 2007, fate brought us both to Kansas City, where we worked at a nonprofit developmental preschool. Together, we created what we called a "relationship-based classroom" a space where DIR® principles guided every interaction.
Our commitment to this approach led us to apply for the ICDL DIR® certificate program, housed at "the bunker" in Washington DC. This intensive training deepened our understanding and solidified our conviction that development, individual differences, and relationships must remain at the center of all therapeutic support.
KC:DT is Born from Conviction
In 2009, KC:DT was founded with a clear mission, to give families a choice about the kind of evidenced-based services they could receive. We built something unprecedented in our community: a practice where neurodiversity affirmation wasn't just a buzzword, it was our foundation.
We knew the research: cognitive development flourishes when children build upon their own ideas and interests. We understood that families needed to be true partners, not passive observers. Most importantly, we recognized that shared joy isn't just pleasant, it's therapeutic.
What Makes Us Different
Becoming Leaders in Our Field
In 2022, we embarked on the demanding journey to achieve DIR® Expert Training Leader certification, the highest level possible. This wasn't just about credentials; it was about deepening our ability to support families and train the next generation of relationship-based therapists.
Today, we teach DIR® certification courses to therapists and physicians worldwide through the International Council on Development and Learning. In 2024, we achieved DIR® Certified Organization status, ensuring that every KC:DT therapist receives comprehensive DIR® training and ongoing mentorship.
Why This Matters for Your Family
We're the only private practice in the greater Kansas City area with DIR® accreditation and built-in mentorship and one of only 44 practices worldwide. But credentials aren't what make us different, our unwavering commitment to your child's individual differences is.
We've seen what happens when children are met where they are, celebrated for who they are, and supported through genuine relationships. We've witnessed the transformative power of choosing connection over compliance, joy over conformity.
Your child doesn't need to be fixed. They need to be understood, supported, and celebrated on their unique journey to thriving. That's exactly what we're here to provide.
Our Values in Action
Shared Joy drives everything we do. When a child experiences genuine joy in connection with another person, powerful developmental pathways become accessible. You'll see it in the gleam in their eye during sessions.
Self-Compassion is how we sustain our capacity for caring. We model the kindness and reflection we want to see in the world, understanding that growth happens through relationship, not perfection.
Development never stops. We're committed to continuous learning, whether we're taking courses from autistic adults, diving into the latest research, or stretching ourselves like a rubber band—growing without breaking.
We're Not Here to Change Who Your Child Is
We're here to support your whole family on the journey to thriving, whatever that means for you. Because in a world where individual differences are truly supported, everyone has the opportunity to flourish.
