Tisha W. Gaynor, MSSA, LISW-S, LCSW, RPT-S™

I am a licensed independent social worker-supervisor and Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor™ with a clinical focus on trauma-informed care for adoptees and their families. At Cincinnati Children’s International Adoption Center, I lead our mental health team in supporting families across their child’s development. My therapeutic approach integrates evidence-based modalities such as EMDR, DBT, Theraplay, PCIT, and CBT to support children and families navigating challenges including attachment, adjustment, anxiety, and executive functioning. I utilize the Neurosequential Model of Therapeutics (NMT) as a foundation to guide assessment, treatment planning, and intervention strategies that are developmentally informed and trauma-sensitive.

I enjoy working with adoptees across the lifespan, and I have a particular interest in supporting teens and young adults. Adoption is complex, and these stages of development often present with increased questions and emotions tied to grief, loss, and identity formation. In 2022 I completed the Summer Adoption Research Institute in the Rudd Adoption Research Program at UMass Amherst to continue to grow my understanding of the lived experiences of adoptees to better inform my clinical practice. I am passionate about empowering families through psychoeducation, advocacy, and individualized care, and I regularly present at educational seminars and national conferences to share best practices in adoption and trauma-informed therapy.