Speaking Engagements, Publications & Press

Topics Dr. Upshur speaks on

  • Divorce is a significant transition for families, often bringing emotional, relational, and practical challenges for both parents and children. In this talk, Dr. Emily Upshur explores how parents can support their children’s emotional well-being during and after divorce, with attention to developmental needs, attachment, and the realities of co-parenting.

    Drawing on research and clinical experience, Dr. Upshur offers guidance on communicating with children about separation, reducing conflict, and fostering stability and resilience during times of change. This presentation is designed for parents, caregivers, and professionals seeking a thoughtful, developmentally informed approach to parenting through divorce.

  • Parenting plans are more than schedules and legal agreements. They are living documents that shape a child’s daily experience, relationships, and sense of stability over time. In this presentation, Dr. Emily Upshur explores how parenting plans can be developed and implemented in ways that are developmentally informed, adaptable, and responsive to the evolving needs of children and families.

    Drawing on her clinical expertise and experience consulting within the divorce process, Dr. Upshur discusses key considerations in creating effective parenting plans, including custody schedules across developmental stages, communication strategies, and anticipating future decision-making challenges.

    This talk is designed for parents, attorneys, mediators, and other professionals seeking a psychologically sound, practical framework for developing, refining, or implementing parenting plans that reduce conflict and support long-term family functioning.

  • Divorce can be deeply challenging for families, both during the process itself and in the years that follow. Even after a parenting plan is in place, disagreements about medical decisions, school choices, schedules, and children’s changing developmental needs can arise and leave parents unsure where to turn.

    In this presentation, Dr. Emily Upshur explores how parents and professionals can approach post-divorce conflict in ways that prioritize children’s well-being while reducing escalation and impasse. Drawing on developmental psychology and trauma-informed practice, she offers frameworks for decision-making, communication, and problem-solving when parents disagree, including how and when to seek consultation outside of litigation.

    This talk is designed for parents, attorneys, mediators, and mental health professionals seeking practical, psychologically sound strategies for navigating ongoing co-parenting challenges after divorce.

  • Raising a neurodiverse child can bring both meaningful strengths and unique challenges for families. Parents often navigate questions about emotional regulation, school support, behavior, and how to best understand and advocate for their child’s needs within everyday life.

    In this presentation, Dr. Emily Upshur offers a developmentally informed, strengths-based approach to supporting neurodiverse children and the families who care for them. Drawing on clinical experience and evidence-based practice, she explores how differences in attention, learning, sensory processing, and emotional regulation can be understood within a relational and family-centered framework.

    This talk is designed for parents, caregivers, educators, and professionals seeking practical, compassionate guidance for supporting neurodiverse children while fostering connection, resilience, and well-being across the family system.

  • Many parents find themselves navigating intense emotions, behavioral challenges, and moments of disconnection with their children, often while wondering what is developmentally typical and how best to respond. These experiences can feel overwhelming, especially without clear guidance or support.

    In this presentation, Dr. Emily Upshur offers a developmentally informed approach to understanding children’s emotional expression and behavior within the context of relationships, stress, and everyday life. Drawing on evidence-based practice and clinical experience, she helps parents make sense of big feelings, build emotional regulation skills, and strengthen connection without relying on rigid techniques or one-size-fits-all solutions.

    This talk is designed for parents, caregivers, and professionals seeking practical, compassionate guidance for supporting children’s emotional well-being while fostering resilience, confidence, and healthy family relationships.

  • If your organization has specific goals or areas of interest, Dr. Upshur is happy to collaborate with you to design a presentation tailored to your audience. Whether addressing parents, professionals, or interdisciplinary teams, she brings clinical insight and a collaborative approach to create presentations that are relevant, practical, and meaningful.

For speaking engagements, media appearances, or publication inquiries, please get in touch.

Publications and Featured Research

Publications | Sep 2012 - Sep 2016

Expanding the Impact of the BI-SLR HEARTS Program in New York City

This funding supports expansion of clinical services and training to local community agencies targeting traumatized children, youth and families involved in juvenile justice, child welfare, and military families.


Role: Clinical Director & Supervising Psychologist

Publications | Sep 2009 - Sep 2012

Integrating Trauma Practices into the Child and Family Clinic Plus Program

Integrating Trauma Practices into the Child and Family Clinic Plus Program
Emily D. Upshur 5
Beth Israel Medical Center and St. Luke’s-Roosevelt Hospital Center program for Healing Emotions and Achieving
Resilience to Traumatic Stress (BI-SLR HEARTS)


Role: Post-Doctoral Fellow

Publications | Nov 2010 - Nov 2011

Developmental Trauma Disorder Field Trial for DSM V

Spinazzola & van der Kolk (PI)
Trauma Center at Justice Resource Institute (sponsoring institution)


Role: Site-Coordinator

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