I first encountered Dr. de Freitas when I took my oldest daughter (step-daughter, actually) to a Healthy Chat Mother-Daughter Seminar with she was 12. Well, that 12-year-old is now 18 and just graduated from high school and we have very open lines of communication re: our bodies and sexual health. Same with my 16 year old. Well, my baby girl, Bella, is now eight and we just had the puberty talk the other night in the feminine product aisle at the grocery store. We'd ventured into the topic before but she was starting to ask more specific questions with more frequency so I decided it was time. Bella is *fascinated* by the entire world of puberty and reproduction and because of the tips I learned from Dr. de Freitas from the Healthy Chat seminar, as well as the Birds and the Bees seminar, I feel very well-equipped and comfortable discussing these topics with all three daughters whenever they have questions. Thank you, Dr. de Freitas, for giving me the tools to normalize this sometimes sensitive subject. I'm confident I'm giving my girls a solid base for a lifetime of healthy sexuality. I'm so glad I discovered you through the Parent Connection and will continue to recommend you as a pediatrician and child sexuality expert.

Heather

My daughter and I really enjoyed the seminar.  As a mother, I knew I should have this conversation with my daughter but struggled with how to do it.  I wondered what she already knew and what she was ready to hear.  The seminar was presented in a very warm, open, non-threatening way that made me and my daughter feel very comfortable.  I know she learned a lot and it was the perfect conversation starter for us to continue the discussion on our drive home.  I would recommend the seminar for anyone with young daughters and plan to return in a couple of years when my 7 year old daughter is a little older. 

Thank you,

Lisa

Thank you so much for teaching the class [Healthy Chats for Boys] last evening... J. had the talk with me before and then saw the 5th grade video last year but I know this will prepare him for the 6th grade talk which is coming up shortly. I am thankful that C. received honest and accurate information so that when he hears things at school or from J. he will have a grasp of the content. You are an excellent instructor.

Thank you again,

Christina M.

Sept. 28, 2009
 
Dra. de Freitas,

Thank you for your work and the knowledge you share with our migrant families. You possess the information and skill to communicate effectively in a very caring and positive manner. You fear not and speak clearly in your soft but powerful voice that leaves the audience with wanting to learn more from you. In our culture, this is a difficult subject to tackle but I must say that you do it better than any other.

Saludos,

Janie
 
 
Sept. 23, 2009
 
Thank you for a great seminar. It really opened the door of communication for me and my daughter. We’ve discussed puberty and sex in the past, but my daughter has always been very shy and closed off to discuss it with me. On the way home from the seminar, I felt like we had a whole new respect for each other and my daughter couldn’t stop talking about it! She was asking me questions and telling me things that she had been thinking and revealing her own fears and excitement about what was yet to come. Thank you for giving us a jump-start on our future conversations.
 
Aimee
 

April 12, 2009
 
Dear Dr. de Freitas
 
I want to thank you for your years of compassion and love that has culminated in this impressively available seminar you now have to share. I have to admit, I felt like I was attuned to what you have been doing for several years. I have always appreciated that you have taken on the effort and heard the feedback from many mothers. (not so much the kids!!). But to see a warm glow in Briana last night, and to see her awake with a new sense of self, understanding and delight for the future was more personal than I perhaps anticipated. We tend to be very analytical and intellectual in our dealings with the world. Your gentleness and humor has conjured up a sweetness, and a delightful appreciation of herself which is a gift I am not sure I would have given her. She carefully packed her purple sachet, and delighted in the bath gel. She was ready for the information, fully engaged in your delivery and now has a special body of knowledge to build on going forward. I believe she feels empowered from having participated. I also have to admit it has opened a new doorway in our communication.
 
A gift of many you have shared to be sure.
 
Thank you,
Diane S.
 

Jan. 14, 2009
 
Dear Dr. de Freitas,

I wanted to thank you so much for the talk you gave to the girls. I felt you covered the topics necessary in just the right manner that informed the girls and answered the questions they did not even know they had. In all my talks with my daughter, I have not been able to make the picture as clear as you did. You left no stone unturned. My daughter went from being completely scared about puberty and her period beginning, to saying that "it won't be so bad, it may even be cool!" You have eased anxiety for her. Thank you.
 
Sincerely,
Kelly
 

Nov. 18, 2008
 
Dear Dr. de Freitas:
No words can express our gratitude to you for this wonderful and informative seminar, and the amazing journey that led our Girl Scouts into the world of becoming a woman. Even though I am a nurse, I could not have done a better job at explaining the topic of menstruation and all that goes along with it. Loved your props; especially the one of the uterus! You captivated us with your engaging and enchanting dialogue and were so gracious in handling our girls' discussions. You made our girls feel very comfortable, special and so loved. My youngest daughter, aged 8, is presently in Brownies, and I intend to have you give her troop this same seminar in a couple of years. Thank you, again

Best Always,
Laine and Elizabeth
 

Nov. 6, 2008
 
Dr. de Freitas,
 
I was so impressed with your seminar and so was my daughter. I cant thank you enough for being there to educate the young girls of today. With puberty coming on at such a surprisingly young age these days, lines of communication must be kept open and you have managed to make the girls feel very comfortable about talking about their changes in their body with their family and their close friends.
 
I am sure that I speak for all of the moms that were lucky enough to have been invited to your seminar, thank you so much from the bottom of my heart for making it possible for us to bond with our daughters.
 
Leslie
 

July 16, 2008
 
Dr. de Freitas has a true gift- the ability to present factual, age-appropriate information in a lighthearted and engaging manner. Loved the message that we are created by nature's wonderful design, would recommend it to all mothers and daughters!Karyn
July 15, 2008
 
Dear Dr. de Freitas,
Thank you so much for your teaching of the 'Healthy Chats' class. Everything was presented in such an easy-to-understand and non-threathening way, I'm sure it put all the girls at ease about the major changes they are about to experience. I really liked how you engaged both girls and mothers into the presentation. I'm glad my daughter got to hear first hand from an expert in detail about the aspects of puberty and womanhood.
It was a great experience and I would recommend it to all mothers with daughters 9, 10 or 11 years old.

Thank you,
Deborah
 
 
July 5, 2008
 
Dear Dr. de Freitas:
We thoroughly enjoyed your seminar...what a wonderful experience and such important information for girls at this age. This is the perfect way to open communication about the coming changes in our girls. You do an amazing job, and we are so glad to have had the opportunity to attend!

Jennifer
 
 
June 18, 2008
  
Tanto para mi hija como para mi tomar esta platica fue una experiencia unica llena de union , crecimiento y sobre todo de preparacion para una nueva etapa en su vida, y quien mejora que una persona preparada y sobre todo madre para ayudarnos en este tema tan importante y maravilloso.
 
Muchas gracias Dr. de Freitas
 
Karla
 
(Editor's note: Although seminars are held in English, Dr. de Freitas is fluent in Spanish and Hispanic mothers are delighted.)
 
 
June 10, 2008
 
Thank you, Dr. de Freitas, for an excellent session with our 4th grade class! As a result of your class, my daughter is much more comfortable speaking with me about her body and its changes and is very interested in learning more. This has resulted in us starting this time of change with a great basis of mutual communication and respect.
 
Kari
 
 
June 4, 2008
 
Dear Dr. de Freitas,
 
I found your seminar very age appropriate and to the point. You covered all of the topics in a friendly home spun manner. It was very helpful for me as a mom to hear what is in store from the parents perspective. I think it would be great if there could be a program like this for boys, too. There is so much “in your face media hype about sex” It is refreshing to see a program that is non threatening and values the innocence of young girls, and refers to sex as a very special passage in life not another magazine cover hype.
 
 -- Jane
 

June 4, 2008

What a wonderful experience. This was a great way to open up the dialogue between parents and children. You have a special ability to put everyone at ease while discussing sensitive topics.
 
Thank you so much.

--- Jean
 

May 13, 2008
 
Dear Dr. de Freitas:
 
I thought the Healthy Chat was fantastic way to teach and prepare our daughters for the amazing metamorphosis they are about to experience.
 
I found myself in awe as I experienced the intimacy, support and caring of our group of mothers. And I delighted at the giggles and wonder of our girls.
 
I even felt a bit of sadness in the fact that I had never had an opportunity to experience somthing like this with my own Mom.
 
Thank you so much, Dr. de Freitas. What you are doing is remarkable!
 
--- Cristina
 
 
May 12, 2008

Hello Dr. de Freitas,
 
I am so pleased to tell you how much Emily and I enjoyed your seminar. The benefits were certainly realized right away and will continue for a lifetime. Emily spoke openly about the experience to me as well as to share it with her Father when we returned home that evening. It seemed that she was able to connect some important dots in her mind. While she and I have had some preliminary discussions about her maturation and I pride myself on being open minded, the methods you employed were so perfect. The PowerPoint slides, the balloon, the beaker for how to use feminine products, all were perfect to help them really understand the message. To provide the girls with visuals and a comforting realization of their maturation, was so beautiful. I was warmed by the experience and believe that it served as another bonding experience for Emily and me. You have perfected your message and I am so grateful that you remain committed to our young daughters to conduct these seminars in your own personal time. Thank you Dr. de Freitas with all of my heart!
 
 -- Colleen
 
 
May 7, 2008
 
I want to thank you for your time this past Sunday. I think the talk was terrific and very well received by both moms and daughters. The way you talked to the girls was very personal. I thought you did a great job in making them feel welcome and non threatened. You allowed them to laught and giggled when they needed to and I think that alleviated the "stress" of having the talk. As a mom, I felt that everything was very age appropriate and that your information was very valuable. It was great to hear first hand what you told them so we know where our daughters stand and maybe when they come with a question we can repeat your message.
 
Once again, thanks so mcuh for your time and it won't be long before I will be bringing my younger one to the talk.
 
Best,
Noemi
 
 
May 6, 2008
 
Dear Dr. de Freitas,
 
Thank you so much for the seminar.

I know both the mothers and daughters got a great deal out of the evening. The information was delivered in such a warm and positive manner. I have received at least 5 thank you’s from moms expressing how grateful they were to you. You have opened so many topics of conversation for us. I wish you were around when I was a young girl.
 
Your daughter is lovely and such a reflection of you.
 
With much gratitude,
 
Leslie
 
(Editor's Note: On occasions, when Dr. de Freitas' daughters are in town visiting, they still attend the seminars to help mom out!)
 
 
April 22, 2008
 
Thank you so much for coming and educating us all! What a great way to spend an evening...we will all remember it!
 
 
Thorough, fun and the true sensitive essence of changing into a woman. Thanks a lot!
 
-- Kim
 
 
April 17, 2008
 
Dr de Freitas,
 
I have now attended two of your healthy chats with my 13 year old 3 years ago and again with my younger 10 year old. I can not say enough about these seminars. I recommend them highly to all moms who have daugthers entering puberty.
 
My daughter thoroughly enjoyed the seminar too - which was not my expectation. She had limited information beforehand, although I had tried numerous times to get her to sit and talk about it. She loved your approach to explaining the information and feels kind of proud that she is so well educated on the topic.
 
Thanks for giving us the opportunity to move down this mother daughter path in such a positive way.
 
-- Barb 
 

Dear Dr. de Freitas,
 
 
It’s worth going to “Healthy Chats for Girls” if only to see how a balloon and salad oil bottle relate to puberty! But what girls and mothers will really learn is that it’s not so scary to talk about puberty together, which will make going through puberty together a lot less scary, too.
 
Thank you for all,
 
Sophy
 
 
 
June 11, 2007
 
Dear Dr. de Freitas,
 
Thank you for saying all the things to my daughter I wish I could about growing up. Your years of experience giving these talks was obvious as you spoke covering more information in two hours than I ever could. My daughter thanked me for bringing her and I couldn't help but think I wish my mother had someone like you when I was a young girl. Please, please continue on your calling as I have another daughter I want you to meet in a couple years!
 
-- Barbara
 
 
Dear Dr. de Freitas,
 
I want to thank you so very much for a great experience for both me and my daughter. You were able to express intimate details of a maturing young lady in an informative but non threatening way. Athena and I enjoyed the seminar very much and it helped open up the line of communicate even further.
 
Thank you again,
 
Kim
 

March 23, 2007
 
Dear Dr. de Freias,
 
I was so pleased for my daughters and I to be a part of the wonderful "Mother-Daughter" evening with you. Every phrase, every word was perfect. I thought I had done a thorough job in communicating these "life lessons" to my girls, but you took it to another level of clarity and deep with the perfect touch. My girls are still commenting of subtle things you spoke of with greater ease than before. I want to thank you for guiding them in this transition time in their lives with such mastery and grace.
 
 Sent with appreciation and admiration,
 
Tish
 


March 14, 2007
 
Dear Dr. de Freitas,
 
I can't thank you enough for the seminar my daughter and I attended. You presented everything in such a loving, beautiful way. I could not have done it better myself. I particularly liked the analogies you use to explain things, very helpful. This seminar has opened up communication for my daughter and I. Before the seminar she was embarrassed to discuss these issues with me and now we have had many conversations on these intimate issues. God bless you!
 
-- Betsy
 
 
March 3, 2007
 
Dear Dr. de Freitas,
 
I was so impressed with all of the information you conveyed in just 2 hours! And how practical the second half was. My daughter came home and said it was "ok" but then I saw her make a bookmark out of the sparkly butterfly that was included in the "Grow Up Bag" and I knew she was still mulling over it all. We've had several great conversations since then and she's clearly very comfortable with the information. She even told her brother that the one thing that girls bodies do that boys don't is have periods. That then opened the door for us to tell him about that topic which I'd not discussed with him yet. It was a good ice breaker. I wish there had been something like this when I was young.
 
Thanks! Amy
 
 
Jan. 25, 2007
 
Hi Dr. de Freitas:
 
My heart was singing for weeks after this seminar. I was so impressed with you and how you are able to say everything with such beauty. My daughter Sarah told me that when her body starts changing and when she hears about this in her 5th grade class that she doesn’t think she will be as embarrassed now. Also, she wrote in her journal and she mentioned that she felt warm and happy inside from spending that day with me. That is enough to make you proud.
 
I will forever be grateful for that very special day.
 
Sincerely,
 
Kim
 
 

October 17, 2006
 
 Hello, Dr. de Freitas,
 
I just wanted to tell you thank you for all the valuable information you gave my daughter and I. She is so excited to know so much about her body. It's amazing. She has been asking questions; the best of all she is taking care of her body (and teeth) without me having to tell her every single step. It was wonderful thank you for being short and clear with your answers. I know we will see you in a year. I have decided that we will take the course again. I think it'll be good just to refresh her memory and so she also gets comfortable with her body. THANK YOU!!!!! again and we'll see you next year. If you would please send us your upcoming events I'll really appreciated.
 
-- Alexandra
 
 

October 10, 2006
 
Well, I must say that your program/presentation exceeded my expectations. Your material was well prepared and you knew how to get down to the girls’ level…..and make them laugh too! The props you used were very creative; the oil and vinegar cruet and the pink balloon were perfect.
 
 Thank you very much for your sincerely delivered presentation to the girls. My daughter and I have been talking about some of the topics covered so it has opened up more communication in that area. She actually wore a “practice pad” to school!
 
Thanks again!
 
-- Amanda, San Diego, CA
 
 
 
May 25, 2006
 
Dear Dr. de Freitas,
 
Thank you for the wonderful seminar last Sunday, May 22. You made the girls feel so comfortable, while teaching them the beauty of their bodies. My daughter loved your relaxed sense of humor and I appreciated your thoroughness. I would highly recommend your seminar to all mothers and daughters at this age.
 
Thank you so much,
 
Julie
 
 
 
May 30, 2006
 
Dear Dr. de Freitas:
 
My daughter and I attended your seminar this past Sunday at the UTC, La Jolla.

Your presence and ease with the girls was so comforting and refreshing. At this point in their lives they are very sensitive to people that they can relate to, and people that turn them off! You were definitely the former!!
 
It really made a difference in the second half of the talk when they all came forward and sat on the floor, and were right there in front of you. All us moms just had our necks cocked forward to see the expressions on their faces. They were captured!!! You are awesome.
 
I had heard about you two years ago from some fellow moms through the girl scouts. It was well worth the wait, and you lived up to your reputation.
 
Thank you so much for the incredible talk. It was just excellent- I wouldn't change a thing!
 
Nancy E., San Diego, CA
 
 
April 10, 2006
 
Dr. de Freitas,
 
Thank you so much for speaking to our girls. I knew that you would be much better at handling the topic of puberty than I have been so far, but you far exceeded my expectations. The way you talked to the girls with such warmth, and of course the unavoidable humor, was so wonderful. Thank you for helping keep the lines of communication open between my daughter and me.
 
Maria
 
 
March 26, 2006
 
Dear Dr. de Freitas:
 
Thank you so much for the wonderful presentation yesterday! We were all so impressed with how comfortable you made the girls and moms feel, and we now feel confidant that we can continue the informative dialogue that you started. Thanks for giving us the language to reach out to our daughters during this important transition in their lives.
 
 Cinda
 Carmel Valley, San Diego
 California
 
 
February 9, 2006
 
"Dr. de Freitas was amazing. She explained everything in a gentle way so that my 9 year old daughter would easily understand and not be scared of the entire process of becoming a women. She also reminded me of how thankful I am to be a woman and how important that is to pass on to our daughters. It was a wonderful afternoon that opened up a door between my daughter and myself. My daughter is much more at ease to ask me questions after this wonderful day."
 
Janeen,
Rancho Santa Fe
 
 
February 1, 2006
 
"The seminar made me feel good about myself and more comfortable with my body. I thought it was really fun and I learned a lot." Isabelle (age 10)

"The Mother Daughter Seminar was informative and extremely well-executed. What I especially loved was that it was also a celebration of the life-giving changes we all share as women. My daughter left fascinated and eager to talk more with me about the wonder of it all." Anne Marie (Isabelle's mom)
 
 
Thank you--we were all so pleased with your seminar. I have forwarded your information to my friends.
 
-- Anne Marie
 
 
Dear Doctor,
 
Thank you so much for the opportunity you provided. It was a great way to show the girls we can be open together as women to have those discussions. (as well as mother/daughter). Your presentation was outstanding. You handled everything that came at you with intelligence, grace and humor!
 
Thank you again,
 
Lynn
 
 
 
January 24, 2006
 
Dr. de Freitas,
 
I just want to thank you for such a wonderful way you share puberty with these girls. Madi didn't want to go because she " just doesn't like talking about it" and it all seemed a bit scary. After your session, she is actually EXCITED about puberty and we've been sharing so much since then. Thank you for opening that door for us...I just didn't have the words like you did to explain things in such a gentle and beautiful way.
 
Thanks!
Sheri Ortiz
 
 
February 1, 2006
 
Dear Dr. de Freitas,
I was going to e-mail you tonight. I wanted to thank you for the wonderful seminar. You have a true gift. It was such a positive experience for all of us. All of the moms in our Girl Scout troop have expressed to me how impressed they were with your presentation. I hope to attend again in the future with my younger daughter. Myself and several other mom wish you had a mother son seminar. Thanks again!
 
-- Robin
 
 
February, 2006
 
Dr. de Freitas,

We so enjoyed the Mother-Daughter Seminar with you. I was so concerned about telling my daughter the right amount of information and your seminar confirmed that I had did it right. Your seminar was phenomenal and I have told all my friends about you. Your comparison of a caterpillar turning into a butterfly is beautiful! I plan to talk to our principal at St. James Academy about having you come to speak.
 
Thank you again,
 
Dana and Samantha Mueller
 
 
February, 2006
 
Dear Dr. de Freitas,
 
Thank you for a fantastic day! For years at Girl Scout Leader Meetings I had heard how wonderful your seminar was. To experience this special seminar first hand with my daughter was memorable. My daughter and I feel more comfortable talking about puberty and the changes ahead because we shared the seminar together. The way you shared the information was just right for girls this age.
 
 
Thank you!
 
Julie U.
 
 
March, 2005
 
Dear Dr. de Freitas
 
Thank you for sharing your gift with my daughter Caroline and I. We have slowly been unfolding the miracles of her abilities and your insights, delivery and information "meshed" so nicely with what we habe benn teaching. I asked Caroline wha her favorite part of the weekend was and she said it was the time we spent together with you. She said she liked learning and hearing what you had to share. Thank you for the snacks and your thoughtful gifts in the bag. I am sure you have helped many families. God bless you and your family.
 
Sincerely,
Alysia, San Diego
 
 
Dear Dr. de Freitas:
 
Thank you so much for the goody bag. I really liked all the treats. Also I learned some cool things. I liked when you showed me how to put a tampon and a pad on.
 
Love, Caroline
 
 
October 17, 2004
 
Thank you for your wonderful presentation. You are clearly gifted and called to do this work and we were truly enriched by the experience.
 
-- Kelley in Scripps Ranch
 
 
September 30, 2004
 
Dear Dr. de Freitas,
 
I want to thank you on behalf of all the moms and daughters that attended your Mother/Daughter Seminar on Sunday, September 26, 2004.
 
Your calming demeanor and fun introductions broke the ice for a wonderful afternoon filled with information.
 
The slides accompanying your presentation were supportive and informative. We so appreciated hearing values and ethics included in your talk especially in this fast-paced era. The information was age appropriate and the anonymous question time was needed. The generous “goody bag” you gave to each girl was filled with essentials and those little extras that girls love to get.
 
I believe we have all talked with our daughters privately, but to do so in a small group of friends and moms, actually made it safe and comfortable to discuss puberty and sex openly. We continued the conversation at the dinner table! Thank you for providing such a wonderful seminar. I am grateful that you care so much about our young girls. You have helped numerous moms launch their daughters off to a positive start on becoming young women. I’ll be contacting you in a few years when my other daughter gets older!
 
With much appreciation,
 
Devon Frager
Girl Scout Leader
Troop #3256
 
 
June, 2004
 
Dear Dr. de Freitas
 
My daughter Zoe and I were at your Mother and Daughter seminars last Sunday at UTC. It was a wonderful experience and I think you expressed yourself beautifully. You struck a perfect balance between the physicil and very difficult moral implications of puberty, for which, I am very grateful.
 
You are obviously a gifted doctor, a wonderful mother and a true humanitarian.
 
Thank you,
Trudi Smith
San Diego, CA