Learn research-backed tools that are both kind and firm — non-punitive and non-permissive — to use in group classes, client sessions, or educational settings.
For Professionals
Professional Trainings
Equipping Austin area therapists, educators, and caregivers with evidence based tools to support families and transform how they work.
Positive Discipline Certification
Become a Certified Positive Discipline Parent Educator
Positive Discipline (PD) is an Adlerian-based, trauma-informed approach that focuses on building connection, mutual respect, and long-term social-emotional development. Developed by Lynn Lott and Dr. Jane Nelsen, the Teaching Parenting the Positive Discipline Way curriculum offers a step-by-step, experiential method for leading parenting groups and working with families.
Unlike approaches that rely on punishment, praise, or control, PD emphasizes encouragement, belonging, and shared responsibility—without relying on rewards, permissiveness, or even logical consequences (at least, hardly ever).
What you'll learn
In our workshops, participants will:
Gain confidence leading parenting groups and workshops using a structured, step-by-step experiential curriculum.
Practice experiential activities to "get into the child's world" and understand the belief behind the behavior
Shift from trying to control others' behavior to influencing it through emotional regulation, encouragement, and connection.
Research has shown that social and emotional learning has a stronger impact on long-term success than academic skills alone. PD equips professionals to support those skills with confidence and compassion.
What participants say
Hear from past training attendees
Meet the Facilitator
Led by Austin's Own Lora Ferguson, MA, LPC-S
She/Her
Lora Ferguson
Founder, MA, LPC-S
Certified Positive Discipline Trainer and Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor
As a mom to two teenagers, I have found parenting to be both the most rewarding and the most challenging part of my life journey. I love my kids with every part of my being, and yet sometimes I can’t wait to get away from them for a quiet moment to myself (or a week-long vacation if I’m lucky). If you are a parent reading this, I understand this polarity you experience and I have been there many times! We need the support of other parents to truly feel that we aren’t alone.
I found my way to Positive Discipline first as a Licensed Professional Counselor working with teens and their parents back in 2008. I love using the tools and concepts of PD to help families grow closer through encouragement, contribution, and mutual respect. I find that helping parents and educators focus on the long term goals they have for their children (that they are kind, generous, thoughtful, resilient, balanced, and so on) allow them to relax and breathe into the process of nurturing their relationship with their child. And most importantly, they are able to slowly let go of controlling their child’s behavior and refocusing on controlling their own behavior so they can be a powerful influence.
I use PD in both a private counseling setting in my work at Austin Family Counseling, and through workshops with parents, educators, and caregivers in the community. I have done PD workshops in preschools, elementary schools, churches, non-profit agencies, and correctional institutes. I love sharing PD with parents and caregivers, educators, business leaders, direct care workers, and anyone who wants to be better at relationships. Please contact me if you want to learn more about bringing Positive Discipline to your group or family!
Credentials:
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Certified Positive Discipline Parent Educator
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Certified Positive Discipline Classroom Educator
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Certified Positive Discipline Parent Educator Trainer
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Certified Positive Discipline Early Childhood Educator Trainer
Lora Ferguson, LPC-S
AFC Founder
