Our Team
Laurence Heller, PhD (He / Him)
NARM Founder
Dr. Laurence Heller is a clinical psychologist, international trainer, and author with over four decades of experience in the field of trauma healing. He is the creator of the NeuroAffective Relational Model® (NARM®), a clinical approach specifically designed for working with complex and developmental trauma. Dr. Heller holds a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology and, after years of working with treatment modalities such as Gestalt, Somatic Experiencing®, and psychodynamic psychotherapy, recognized a significant gap in models addressing early developmental trauma. It was out of this recognition—and the growing need in the field—that he developed NARM.
He is the founder and director of the NARM Training Institute and a Senior Fellow at The Meadows Treatment Centers. Dr. Heller regularly teaches advanced NARM trainings across the U.S. and Europe, leads immersive clinical consultations, and is a sought-after speaker at trauma-focused conferences worldwide. His groundbreaking book Healing Developmental Trauma, co-authored with Aline LaPierre, has been translated into 15 languages. His more recent book, The Practical Guide for Healing Developmental Trauma, was published in 2022 by North Atlantic Books.
Dr. Heller continues to write, teach, and present internationally, and remains deeply committed to re-humanizing and de-pathologizing the mental health and helping professions. Dr. Heller is a proud father, grandfather, polyglot, skier, and traveler.
Angie Farynnyk (She / Her)
Executive Assistant
Angie Farynnyk is the Executive and Personal Assistant to Dr. Laurence Heller at the NARM®️ Training Institute. With over 20 years of executive support experience and a passion to serving visionary leaders, Angie brings organizational precision, discretion, and a warm, deeply people-centered approach to everything she touches.
Angie has always been drawn to human development and healing work. Throughout her career, she has intentionally chosen to support leaders and organizations committed to growth, connection, and transformation—making her role at NTI a natural extension of both her professional strengths and her personal values. Backed by years spent building the systems and structures that allow organizations to thrive, she has a gift for creating calm and clarity behind the scenes, so the important work can move forward with ease.
Working closely with the NTI administrative team, Angie keeps the day-to-day running smoothly, and takes genuine joy in the connection and care that sit at the heart of NARM.
Angie lives in Rancho Cucamonga, California, with her beloved rescue dog, Maggie Mae.
Tue Kjær (He / Him)
Fractional CEO
Tue Kjær is the Fractional CEO of the NARM Training Institute. He brings nearly two decades of experience in leadership, personal development, coaching, and psychotherapy, combined with an extensive background in marketing, business development, and organizational management. A NARM practitioner, Tue has led NARM Nordic since 2019, supporting the growth of the NARM model across the Nordic countries and internationally. Based in Copenhagen, Denmark, he also works as a registered psychotherapist and coach, integrating his deep understanding of human development into both his clinical and leadership practice.
Before stepping into his current roles, Tue began his professional journey in the Danish Armed Forces, where he completed officer training and spent over ten years leading various units and teaching pedagogy, leadership, and personal development. His career has consistently been guided by a passion for fostering growth—whether in therapy, education, or business. Driven by curiosity and a profound respect for human connection, Tue’s approach centers on values, relationships, and the belief that personal resources form the foundation for meaningful and sustainable change.
Outside of work, Tue is the proud father of two daughters and remains actively engaged in both the personal development and business communities.
Olga Piontkowski (She / Her)
Director of Operations
Olga Piontkowski is the Director of Operations at the NARM® Training Institute. With a graduate degree in psychology and a background in conflict resolution and organizational leadership, Olga is passionate about building strong relationships and creating systems that serve people. She brings over a decade of experience leading operational and strategic initiatives across education, consulting, and engineering fields.
At NTI, Olga works closely with trainers, training participants, and the internal team to ensure that the Institute’s systems and processes are aligned with its mission of supporting healing and connection. Her people-centered approach helps foster a supportive environment for the growing NARM community.
Originally from Ukraine, Olga now lives in Connecticut with her husband, son, and two dogs. She is honored to support the growing global NARM community and the powerful work of helping professionals dedicated to healing trauma.
Emily Scott (She / Her)
Manager of Engagement, CEs, & Research
Emily Scott is the Manager of Engagement, Continuing Education (CEs), and Research for the NARM Training Institute. She comes to NARM as a former licensed mental health counselor who primarily worked with clients navigating developmental and spiritual trauma. Emily also has a professional background in higher education administration and accreditation, which directly informs her current work supporting NARM’s continuing education programming and organizational strategy.
In her role, Emily coordinates with external research collaborations, facilitates global engagement with the NARM model, and integrates CE accreditation and compliance procedures into the Institute’s broader systems. She collaborates closely with leadership, curriculum developers, and administrative teams, as well as CE accrediting bodies and partner organizations. With a deep belief in trauma-informed work and person-centered systems, Emily is committed to helping bring NARM to a wider audience of helping professionals while supporting the sustainable growth of the NARM Training Institute.
Emily is a proud Nashvillian and lives in her dog JoJo’s house. She and her husband have one small human child named Rohry and one slightly larger dog child named JoJo.
Lindsey Smith (She / Her)
Customer Support & Training Coordinator
Lindsey Smith is the Customer Support & Training Coordinator at the NARM® Training Institute, where she provides dedicated support to students and contributes to the seamless delivery of trauma-informed education. With a professional background in meetings, events, and digital learning, Lindsey ensures participants have a smooth and engaging experience and brings a high level of professionalism and care to every interaction. Lindsey holds a Bachelor of Business Administration with a concentration in Hospitality & Tourism Management and a minor in Exceptional Education. Her previous credentials as a Certified Meeting Planner (CMP) and Digital Event Specialist (DES) continue to inform her approach to organizing and supporting high-quality online learning environments.
Lindsey is passionate about creating welcoming, responsive spaces where learners feel supported and connected and values the mission of NARM to support healing from developmental trauma. She currently resides in the Dallas–Fort Worth area of Texas and enjoys spending time with her beloved dogs, who are her constant companions and source of joy.
Start Your Journey Toward Trauma-Informed Care with NARM Today
The NARM® Training Institute offers professional training for those working with developmental and complex trauma. Our mission—to humanize and depathologize the mental health field and other helping professions—is at the heart of our trainings.