03/15/2026
About the Expert: Dr. Franklin Edward Shoemaker- PhD | LMHC-QS | TF-CBT | ADOPTION COMPETENT
Dr. Franklin Edward Shoemaker is a practitioner‑scholar whose expertise is grounded in more than 33 years of national experience serving at‑risk, traumatized children, vulnerable families, and complex systems of care. Since 1992, he has worked across residential treatment, community‑based programs, therapeutic foster care, clinical practice, educational systems, and statewide coalition leadership. His work is distinguished by the rare integration of doctoral‑level scholarship, frontline clinical practice, forensic specialization, and lived experience as an adoptive and therapeutic foster parent.
As a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and Qualified Supervisor (LMHC‑QS), Dr. Shoemaker trains and mentors emerging clinicians in trauma‑informed, evidence‑based practice. His national credentials include recognition as a Nationally Certified Trauma‑Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapist (TF‑CBT) and a Nationally Accredited Adoption Clinician, reflecting advanced expertise in trauma, attachment, and the unique needs of adoptive and foster families. These credentials complement his personal experience as an adoptive parent of three (now adults) and former therapeutic foster parent, giving him a depth of insight that bridges theory, practice, and lived reality.
Clinical, Forensic, and Trauma‑Informed Expertise
Dr. Shoemaker’s doctoral training spans forensic psychology, trauma science, sexual behavior, and advanced assessment. His coursework includes:
The Treatment of S*xual Offenders
Interviewing & Assessing S*xual Offenders
Paraphilias and S*x Offender Typologies
Victimology
Criminal Profiling
Introduction to Forensic Psychology
Theories of Crime and Justice
Psychology, Public Policy, and Law
Administrative Law
Trauma and Child RSC
Psychology of Trauma
Child and Adolescent Psychology
Child Abuse Assessment and Reporting
Adult Psychopathology
Psychology of Stress and Stress‑Related Disorders: Theory, Assessment, and Intervention
S*xual Issues, S*xuality, S*xual Problems and S*x Therapy
Treating Infidelity and S*x Addiction
This academic foundation equips him to evaluate high‑risk behaviors, understand the intersection of trauma and offending, and guide practitioners and policymakers through complex clinical and legal landscapes.
His doctoral dissertation, “Examining the Relationship Between Child Maltreatment and Severity of Attachment Difficulties Among Children Ages Five and Older,” examined how early adversity shapes attachment systems and long‑term developmental outcomes.
Educational Leadership and Systems‑Level Practice
From 2005 to 2010, Dr. Shoemaker served as a Florida Certified Professional Educator in Exceptional Student Education (ESE K–12) and Middle School Curriculum within Polk County Public Schools. This experience provided firsthand insight into how trauma, disability, and behavioral challenges manifest in classrooms and how schools can become trauma‑informed, attachment‑sensitive environments.
His doctoral coursework in:
Measurement & Assessment in Education
Philosophy of Education
Leadership in Educational Organizations
strengthens his ability to design assessments, train educators, and lead organizational change across child‑serving systems.
Research Contributions and Published Scholarship
Dr. Shoemaker is the author of a growing body of original research, expert commentary, and trauma‑informed educational series published on his professional platform, DrRADAttachmentCodeBreaker.Substack.com. His work synthesizes:
Empirical research on trauma, attachment, and child maltreatment
Forensic insights into sexual offending and sexually reactive behavior
Clinical frameworks for treating attachment‑impacted children and families
Policy analysis on child welfare, education, and mental health systems
Practitioner‑focused guidance for educators, clinicians, and caregivers
Lived‑experience‑based perspectives on adoption, foster care, and family healing
His writing reflects a commitment to bridging research, practice, and public understanding.
Integrated Expertise Across Domains
Dr. Shoemaker’s professional identity is defined by the integration of:
Three decades of national frontline experience
Doctoral‑level academic scholarship
LMHC Qualified Supervisor leadership
National certification in TF‑CBT
National accreditation in adoption competency
Adoptive and therapeutic foster parenting
Classroom teaching and educational leadership
Published research and public scholarship
This combination positions him as a trusted expert capable of translating complex psychological, forensic, and educational concepts into clear, actionable guidance for practitioners, families, agencies, and policymakers.
His work continues to influence trauma‑informed care, attachment‑focused interventions, forensic evaluation, and systems‑level reform across the country.
