You Don’t Have to Do This Alone.
If you’ve found your way here, chances are you’re feeling overwhelmed, exhausted, or just plain stuck—and you want real help from someone who gets it. Someone with decades of experience who can step into your chaos and gently but confidently show you a new way forward. That’s where I come in.
I’m Cinda Chatfield—child development specialist, behavior intervention expert, mom, grandmother, and founder of The Behavior Guru.
With over 20 years of experience supporting families, educators, and neurodivergent children, I’ve seen it all. And I still believe—wholeheartedly—in the potential of every child and the power of calm, compassionate parenting.
What Sets Me Apart
Cinda Chatfield
Behavioral Assessment Expert
Recognized authority in child development and behavior, specializing in precise assessment and effective intervention strategies
Over the past three decades, I’ve supported hundreds of families and professionals, from early childhood through end-of-life transitions. I specialize in working with children on the autism spectrum, high-sensitivity kids, and families navigating behavioral, emotional, and educational challenges.
Here’s what I bring to the table:
Crisis Management Specialist
Certified Behavior Intervention Manager. I have the innate ability to maintain composure during escalations while creating clear action plans for families and educators
Education System Navigator
Experienced district trainer equipping teachers with specialized knowledge for working with children with autism creating socialization programs gave her intervention strategies and more
Transition Support Provider
Trusted resource for private schools supporting families through difficult developmental transitions
Natural Connector
Unique talent for forming immediate, meaningful relationships with both children and adults during times of crisis
Credentials & Collaborations
Ready to feel supported?
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B.A. in Psychology and Child Development – CSUN
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Certified Behavior Intervention Case Manager (BICM)
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State of California Autism Certification
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Trained with Dr. Mitch Taubman & Dr. Sandy Slater (Autism Partnership)
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Regional Center Developmental Testing Professional
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Early Intervention Columnist – MomLifeTV
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Path4Ability Partner (in collaboration with Dr. Jasna Haller)
What We Can Work On — Together
Parenting on Demand
No judgment. No overwhelm. Just real help, right when you need it.
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Here are some of the most common challenges I support families with—
often within 24 hours:
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Bedtime struggles & restless nights
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Mealtime battles & picky eating
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Big emotions, outbursts & aggression
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Tantrums, defiance & power struggles
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Sibling rivalry & constant fighting
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Morning chaos & homework resistance
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School refusal & academic anxiety
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Screen time limits (that actually stick)
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Separation anxiety & tough goodbyes
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Sensory overload & emotional dysregulation
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Social skills, shyness & self-confidence
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Difficult transitions & routine changes
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Co-parenting challenges & mixed messages
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Discipline that feels firm and kind
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Safety concerns like self-injury or elopement
Every family is different. That’s why I don’t offer one-size-fits-all solutions—just thoughtful, custom strategies built for your home, your kids, and your pace.
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Not sure where to start? Just tell me what’s feeling hardest right now, and we’ll take it from there.
Some of my
favorites
Morning Must-Have
Hot coffee, time outdoors, and my journal — often with Mel Robbins playing in the background for a dose of insight & alignment.
Daily Joy
Unwinding with my dog by my side (I am a huge animal lover), soft music on, and a candle lit — a simple ritual that brings me back to center.
Cause Close to My Heart
Supporting children in foster care and women’s shelters — because healing starts with safety, dignity, and a little extra love.
What sparked my journey into
Child Development
My journey began during a heartfelt lunch with my father when I admitted my successful hair salon wasn't satisfying my deeper calling. His straightforward wisdom to “Follow my heart and just do it,” empowered me to sell my business and pursue education in child development.
While my own children were beginning preschool, I found a part-time position at a local elementary school, where I was assigned to work one-on-one with Melissa, a six-year-old with autism. Though the school improperly tasked me, someone without training, to manage her elopement, tantrums, and aggressive behaviors, I discovered my true purpose in those challenging days. Each exhausting shift left me paradoxically fulfilled in ways my previous career never had.
This awakening led me to specialized training, collaboration with leading UCLA doctors, and ultimately, creating my own practice where I could make decisions that truly served children and supported families through difficult times. After two decades, my passion remains undiminished, every interaction brings joy and purpose, confirming I found exactly where I belong.
My Approach to
Supporting families
My approach centers on creating peaceful environments through proactive strategies rather than reactive solutions, incorporating meditation and centering components in every session whether family consultations, teacher trainings, or parent workshops.
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I develop customized solutions that honor each family's unique dynamics instead of offering generic advice. My practice is built on the fundamental belief that our surroundings shape who we are, and by creating the right environment, we can bring calm, happiness, and security to the entire family.
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This combination of immediate accessibility, professional expertise, and natural empathy makes my service truly distinctive in supporting families through their parenting journey.
