FRequently asked questions
What is a Third Culture Kid?
Simply put, a Third Culture Kid (TCK) is someone who grows up
outside of their parents' culture.
Here's a test: If you point to more than one place on a map when answering the question 'where are you from?', you are probably a TCK.
“A TCK is an individual who, having spent a significant part of the developmental years in a culture other than the parents’ culture, develops a sense of relationship to all of the cultures while not having a full ownership in any." -David C. Polluck and Ruth van Reken
why do tcks need care?
All Third Culture Kids will, at one point or another, experience difficulties that accompany growing up amidst transition and cross-cultural changes.
These difficulties result from experiences of loss, culture shock,
frequent readjustments, and unique experiences of identity or belonging. Potential outcomes for TCKs, especially for those who do not receive care, can include clinical depression, self-destructive impulses, social dysfunction, and attachment disorders (Lois J. Bushong, MS, LMFT).
Many TCKs only receive care when they start showing signs of struggle or when they eventually repatriate. It is crucial for TCKs to be provided with proactive care and services of support throughout their TCK experiences.
what makes G.I.F.T. LLC a crucial resource for families in Transition?
My work is crucial because it changes potential outcomes.
I provide proactive and consistent resourcing for families before, during, and after international transitions. My approach is holistic. I seek to normalize the TCK experience to enhance my client's cross-cultural capacities.
I provide core emphases and methodologies that support the paths that my clients feel will be life-giving for them.
My assessment based programs care uniquely for each client,
facilitating ongoing connection and engagement that is formed by what
each client has experienced.
"Resilience is, therefore, both a characteristic of the individual child and a quality of that child’s environment which provides resources necessary for positive development despite adverse circumstances.” -Dr. Michael Ungar
WHAT MADE YOU CHOOSE THE 5 CATEGORIES for tools?
First, here they are again: security, identity, belonging, purpose, & competence.
I chose the five categories* because I believe each one outlines needs that everyone has, regardless of where they are raised.
I think these areas are especially relevant to families in transition because each category...
- shifts during transition
- is interconnected with the other areas
- is met differently in different people
If you're interested in learning more, check out my assessment packages.
*adapted from Dr. Maslow and Dr. Koch
could you share some photos of your puppies?
Of course! I thought you'd never ask.
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