Linda Downey, MSW, LCSW

Linda has a passion for supporting and empowering parents. She received her Master’s in Social Work from the University of Missouri, St. Louis in 2014 and is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). Linda is the owner of Downey Parent Coaching and Counseling, which provides online coaching services to help families learn what strategies, resources, and changes will make a difference in their homes.

 

When not empowering families, Linda enjoys spending her time with her husband and daughter. Her hobbies include being outside with nature, mid-century modern antiquing, reading, and warm cups of coffee. You can find more about her here.

Linda Downey, MSW, LCSW
Autistic child bite card expressing negative emotions and throwing tantrums.

Behavior

Understanding Intermittent Explosive Disorder in Children

Are you worried about your child’s unexpected aggression and explosive behaviors? Learn how to support a child with intermittent explosive disorder.

Autistic boy playing with colorful dice being watched by a psychotherapist sitting in the background.

Autism, Behavior

OCD vs Autism in Children: How To Tell the Difference

OCD and ASD are fundamentally different, but their symptoms are very similar. Learn how to tell the difference to support your child.

Young parents comfort their cute daughter.

Behavior

How To Help Your Child’s Dysregulated Nervous System

Frequent meltdowns, irritability, or easily being triggered can indicate a dysregulated nervous system. Learn ways to help regulate your child’s nervous system.

Child daughter congratulates mom and gives her flowers tulips and postcard.

Special Needs

Mother’s Day Self-Care: Recognizing and Addressing Maternal Mental Health Needs

It may feel impossible to practice mom self-care, but these simple strategies can help you to prioritize yourself at the top of your to-do list.

Doctor giving the child new glasses for her vision.

Eye Conditions and Syndromes, Support, Visual Impairment

Coping with a Diagnosis: Emotional Support for Families with Visually Impaired Children

Families with emotional support are more resilient. Learn how to establish emotional support with peers, professionals, and the community to help your family thrive.

Mother obsessed with control practicing helicopter parenting style.

Development, Parenting

Distal and Proximal Parenting: Understanding the Difference

Understanding the history, differences, and strengths of proximal and distal parenting will help you decide what parenting approaches work best for your family.

Mother and authistic daughter sleeping together on a sofa in living room at home.

Autism, Sleep

Autism and Sleep: Strategies to Improve Bedtime for Your Child

Autism and sleep problems often go together. Improving sleep can help your child be less irritable and learn better and reduce stress in your home.

Mom and her daughter child girl are playing, smiling and hugging at home.

Development, Parenting

Responsive Parenting: Building Strong Bonds with Your Child

Responsive parenting raises well-adjusted kids by combining appropriate expectations with high levels of emotional support. Learn how to be a responsive parent.

Closeup male kid hands drawing by fingers funny car character on sand wooden table therapy.

Behavior

What is a Sensory Diet?

For kids that struggle with overstimulation or understimulation, a sensory diet can be a helpful to help them feel more calm and in control of their bodies.

A girl with EEG leads on her head.

Special Needs

5 Coping Strategies for Parents of Kids With Epilepsy

Coping with childhood epilepsy can be stressful, but focusing on strategies to support you and your family can positively impact your child’s well-being.

Adoptive family meeting with social worker.

Adoption and Foster Care

Are You Qualified to Be a Foster or Adoptive Parent?

Foster parents support children in need of a safe and caring temporary home. Find out if you’re qualified or what disqualifies you from being a foster parent.

Asian disability boy learning color Painting in classroom with Autism girl in special school with female teacher.

Development

Speech Delay vs Autism: How to Recognize the Difference

Some children with speech delays are diagnosed with autism. Understand the difference between speech delays and autism to help your child get the right support.

Mother and daughter consueling baby crying at kindergarten.

Behavior

Toddler Crying? 6 Reasons Why and How to Handle Them

Toddler crying is exhausting and unpredictable. Learn ways to understand and support your child through this emotional and normal stage of development.

Cute little toddler girl sitting on the ground after falling at summer park.

Sensory Activities

Sensory Seeking Behavior in Children: What to Know

Is your child constantly moving, jumping, in your face, or touching things? These sensory-seeking behaviors are stressful. Learn ways you can help your child.

Speech and language development for babies producing babbling sounds.

Development

The Babbling Stage in Childhood Language Acquisition

Babbling is cute and silly, but it also plays an important role in your infant’s language development. Learn how you can encourage your child to babble more.