Meet Our Team

Dr. Shanna Alvarez

Dr. Shanna Alvarez is a co-founder of HFT, licensed psychologist, and mother of 3. She received her Ph.D in Psychology at the University of Washington and completed an APA- accredited internship in Clinical Psychology at UNC School of Medicine- Chapel Hill. She then completed her Post-Doctoral Fellowship in Clinical Psychology at the University of Washington’s Center for Human Development and Disability. Dr. Alvarez has worked in a wide array of clinical, educational, and research settings across the U.S and internationally. Her clinical and research focus has included Autism Spectrum Disorders, parental well-being, challenging behaviors, and Acceptance Commitment Therapy. Her greatest passions are evidence-based, systems-focused interventions. By addressing the familial and educational systems that surround each child she truly embraces the complexity of individual growth and change.

Dr. Alvarez is part of the team at the Seattle Clinic. She is based in White Rock, BC and is establishing the Canadian branch of Helping Families Thrive.

When not working with families and combating misinformation, Dr. Alvarez is spending time with her husband and 3 children. She is a passionate parent of all stripes (foster, adoptive, biological, kinship) and knows the power and challenges of using science-based strategies in everyday parenting. Dr. Alvarez is also a long-time fitness instructor who loves dance, family mud-races, and all things hip-hop and reggaeton.

Dr. Alvarez believes in creating warm and authentic connections through which she can bring evidence-based practices into the realities of her clients’ daily lives.

Dr. Jenna Elgin

Dr. Jenna Elgin is a co-founder of HFT, mother of 3 and received her Ph.D in Psychology at the University of Washington and completed an APA- accredited internship at Primary Children’s Hospital. She then completed her Post-Doctoral Fellowship in Clinical Psychology at Seattle Children’s Hospital (Autism Center).

Dr. Elgin has worked in various clinical, educational, research, and corporate settings. She has authored research articles on a variety of topics including attachment, eating disorders, substance use, and autism. Dr. Elgin leads the Helping Families Thrive social media outreach from the Seattle Branch of HFT, where she provides evidence-based strategies in an easy to digest format along with snippets of her own life raising three kids. Areas of focus for Dr. Elgin include challenging behaviors, attachment, anxiety, autism, and maternal mental health. In addition to social media, she focuses on leading groups, workshops and training. When not bridging the gap between the research world and the everyday parent, Jenna spends time with her husband and 3 children. Her family enjoys spending time outdoors skiing, hiking, and climbing trees.

Dr. Elgin is dedicated to providing parenting tools parents can trust by relying on truly evidence-based practices backed by research.

Dr. Heather Davis

Dr. Heather Davis is a licensed pediatric neuropsychologist. She received her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology at Seattle Pacific University and completed an APA- accredited internship in Pediatric Neuropsychology at the University of Minnesota Medical School and Children’s Hospital. She then completed her Post-Doctoral Fellowship in Neuropsychology at Brooks Powers Group where she also continues to complete neuropsychological evaluations for neurodiverse and medically complex families. In addition, Heather is trained and certified in evaluating for the presence of an Autism Spectrum Disorder and is a Center of Excellence (COE) provider through the Washington State Department of Health.

Dr. Davis has worked in a wide array of clinical, medical and research settings across the U.S. Her clinical and research focus has included Autism Spectrum Disorders, complex learning and behavioral disorders, both neurological and neurodevelopmental in etiology, and mental health diagnoses.

Dr. Davis co-directs the Incredible Years Program with Dr. Alvarez and leads the child side of the IY program (known as “Dinosaur school”) from the Seattle Branch of HFT. Dr. Davis is also part of the team at Brooks Powers Group.

When not leading Dinosaur school, Dr. Davis is spending time with her husband and two little girls. Dr. Davis and her family love exploring the Pacific Northwest. Dr. Davis is also an organizational wizard and design enthusiast.

Dr. Davis’ greatest passions are supporting children with complex mental health needs, engaging children, building strong therapeutic relationships, and focusing on the entire system is at the center of Dr. Davis’ work with patients.,

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