Who is Kate Brinker from A Shining Affliction: A Story of Harm and Healing in Psychotherapy and what is their importance?

Ben's adoptive mother, Kate Brinker, was married to Charles Brinker. Early in Annie's experience with Ben, she met Kate, who filled her in on the details of Ben's young life. Ben had been living with the Brinkers since he was eighteen-months-old.