Denaye Barahona, PhD, LCSW, is a child and family therapist specializing in supporting children and the parents who raise them. With a Ph.D. in Child Development and a Master’s in Clinical Social Work, she brings a grounded, research-informed approach to emotional wellness in families.

In her clinical work, Denaye supports children with emotional and behavioral challenges such as anxiety, perfectionism, rigid thinking, low self-esteem, social difficulties, and school-related stress. She frequently works with highly sensitive or neurodivergent kids who struggle with emotional regulation—and the parents who want to support them more effectively.

Her areas of focus include:

• Reducing the mental load of parenthood

• Addressing childhood behavioral challenges

• Supporting anxiety, ADHD, and social-emotional development

• Improving family relationships

• Managing physical + mental clutter

• Implementing effective parenting strategies

• Enhancing executive functioning in families

Denaye is the author of Simple Happy Parenting: The Secret of Less for Calmer Parents and Happier Kids (2019) and the upcoming book The Mental Unload: A Step-by-Step Guide for Those Who Try to Do It All (2027). She has reached millions through the Simple Families Podcast, where she offers expert advice on parenting, mental health, and child development with both compassion and evidence-based insight.

Her expertise has been featured by The Today Show, Netflix, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, Real Simple, NPR and Forbes, establishing her as a trusted voice in parenting and child development.

Denaye is on faculty at Hunter College in New York City, where she prepares future social workers and therapists with a focus on developmental theory and clinical practice. Her academic and clinical background uniquely equip her to support modern families facing behavioral challenges and emotional growth.

Denaye believes nurturing parents is key to helping children thrive. She’s known for turning clinical tools into practical, relatable strategies families can use at home. Whether in the therapy office, classroom, or behind the mic, she’s dedicated to helping families build stronger relationships and more peaceful homes.