Dr. Kaufman Walker was born in Kitchener, Ontario, Canada, and moved to Alexandria, Virginia, as a child. She attended TC Williams High School and received a Bachelor of Science in Psychology at Lynchburg College (now The University of Lynchburg), a Master of Arts in Community Counseling at Marymount University, and her PhD in Counseling with an emphasis in trauma, crisis, and substance use from George Washington University. Dr. Kaufman Walker is a licensed counselor in Virginia, West Virginia, DC, Maryland, and Florida. She works with children and adults and specializes in trauma, crisis, and grief and loss in Middleburg, Virginia. She currently lives in Bluemont, VA, on Chance Farm with her husband, two children, and a menagerie of animal friends. She found inspiration to write What Is Family? through her experiences with children in foster care and the dearth of resources discussing the concept of family. Her vision materialized when she welcomed Bubs, an orphaned deer, into her home, nurturing her until she was prepared to venture out on her own.