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With 28 years of experience as a clinical psychologist specializing in children and adolescents, Jody A. Dean, Ph.D. has dedicated her life to helping families with everything from the transition process of adoption to changes in family dynamic. Also a Senior Clinical Account Executive at United Healthcare and Aetna, Dr. Dean uses her years of experience to help create a simpler dialogue for families going through the process of adoption or the blending of families.
In the award-winning children’s book Roxie the Doxie Finds Her Forever Home, which is based on the author’s own rescue dog’s story, children follow the adventures of a lovable dachshund named Roxie who is looking for her forever home. Using Roxie as an endearing character that children can relate to, Dr. Dean encourages kids to see their own experiences in the book and look to it for inspiration to accept new changes within or additions to their family. Adoption and acceptance play a key role in this story, proving Dean’s expertise in both adolescent psychology and dogs can be used to open doors to new ways of talking about adoption.