Meet the Therapists – Cindy Smolkin

I was born and raised in Montreal. I have been living in Toronto since 1994. I completed my Bachelor of Social Work at McGill and then pursued my Master of Social Work at U of T. I live with my husband and two children; a boy aged 5 and girl aged 3.

When I am stumped in my own parenting-I either pick up my Connected Parenting book (otherwise referred to in our home as the bible) or call Jennifer Kolari for advice. I am never steered wrong and have always found that when I get back on track with my own connected parenting, so too does the overall climate in my home and well-being of my kids.

I have worked at Jewish Family and Child Service, where I was the social worker for youth and special needs children who were living in foster or group care. I worked predominantly with high needs and at-risk children and adolescents.

I wanted to further expand my clinical and therapy skills so I then worked at Integra, a children’s mental health centre for children and youth with learning disabilities. This is where I had the great fortune of meeting Jennifer Kolari and where my Connected Parenting journey all started.

After Integra I worked at the TDSB (Toronto District School Board) and again worked with at-risk children and youth and their families. It was during my time at the TDSB that I also began my own family. After having my second child I decided to join Jennifer Kolari on a full-time basis at Connected Parenting where I have been ever since.

I love the work that I do: the Connected Parenting model inspires me and does not cease to excite and amaze me. I feel passionate about it and, from both first hand as well as through clients’ experiences, know how important and helpful a model it is.

When I am not working I spend a lot of time with my family; enjoying my children and sharing countless “moments” with my husband and kids. We love the city we live in and often explore and take advantage of many of the fun things to do in Toronto. We love being outdoors and also spend a lot of time playing at the park, collecting bugs and worms and other things from nature.

"Connected Parenting advises us not just how to parent, but—far more important—who to be as parents. The therapeutic methods suggested by Jennifer Kolari are based not on simple-minded behavioural solutions, but on building warm, nurturing relationships with our children, with insight and compassion not only for their little flaws, but also for our own larger ones."
—Gabor Maté, M.D.

"A must read for parents, educators, and any other adults who want to connect in a deeply caring and positive way with the children in their lives."
—Barbara Coloroso