CF-Certified Parent Coaches

Based in Malvern, Worcestershire, I am the first Connected Families Certified Coach in the UK. My background is in primary school teaching, I work part-time for a local charity supporting people with autism, and I am a mum of five. For twelve years I worked alongside my husband as we looked after 60 teenage boys in an English boarding school. I am passionate about parenting with grace and unconditional love. The Connected Families framework has united my husband and me in the challenge of simultaneously raising our teenagers and toddlers. I have loved seeing the benefits of connected parenting shape each of our children to become more confident, happy, and emotionally secure. I would love to connect with you.

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We help parents have peace and a plan for living the intentional life they deeply desire with their kids. We knew we wanted to disciple our kids to know and love Jesus, but the daily chaos of homeschooling four kids and running a business, along with sensitive and intense temperaments among us all, left us feeling reactive, angry, controlling, and disconnected from our kids. Connected Families parent coaching brought the peace and plan we needed to be the kind of parents we wanted to be – ones who do not find our identity in perfect parenting but who receive God’s grace and truth for ourselves and then pass that on to our children. As Connected Families certified coaches since 2021, we help parents become more confident in who they are in Christ, and from this foundation, begin to enjoy close, connected relationships while discipling their children to grow in wisdom. We are the hosts of the Building Wise Families Podcast, and our heart for parents as they disciple their kids comes from Proverbs 24:3-4: “By wisdom, a house is built, and through understanding it is established; through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures.” It would be an honor to walk alongside you in parent coaching as you grow in knowing you are treasured by God and equipped to build your family with wisdom. Corrie is a homeschool mom of 4 with a Masters Degree in Marriage and Family Counseling. Alan works from home and started his own architecture firm in 2015 after coming back to the States from overseas. We also have the privilege of training new Connected Families Certified Parent Coaches and seeing discipleship happen all over the world. To reach us, please email. It would be a joy to connect! Read more…

Welcome to the Connected Families community. We belong together. Please relax and make yourself at home! “Hybrid Educator” describes my journey through Christian education, home education, and public education. My seven children are my favorite teachers! Our current educational landscape includes a university graduate, home school graduate, home school senior, and four public school students (in kindergarten, grade 2, grade 4, and grade 7.) Attending a tiny Christian college in Texas prepared me to teach at Christian schools in the United States and Africa before home-schooling my own children in New Brunswick, Canada. My husband, Michael, and I promoted curriculum at Home School Conventions across the country. Visions of family learning kept me dancing among blissfully harmonious expectations. Reality brought dissonance, overwhelm, and collapse. What was going on in me? What was going on in my children? My husband? Not the slightest clue! Just increasing pressure that I had to keep everyone happy, along with heaps of shame for failing so short of that goal. Without a wisp of awareness. A different question taunted, “What’s wrong with me?” My first encounter with Connected Families was hearing a radio interview that echoed the longing of my heart for true peace in my family. Healing and wholeness are possible! Relief flooded me, and hope carried me forward. Through grace-filled truth in courses, kindness, coaching, prayer, humor, and community, I continue to try again. Connected Families family members help me focus more on Jesus and His wonderful grace every day. How thankful I am for appreciative inquirers! Childlike wonder and curiosity are returning to my heart and home. Connected Families Parent Coaching is a transformational way to share the love I receive. Where are you in your parenting journey? Coaching empowers every parent to discover a unique next step for their divinely and intricately designed family. Let’s learn and grow together! Many of my “dance steps” remain awkward (and embarrassing for my children). Practicing to the music of God’s mercy is a delight. Connected Family resources are a gift from heaven. You don’t have to take my word for it! Where do you want to start? Linger on the Connected Families website discovering beautiful eternal harmonies. You might even find yourself dancing. “Lord, You are my true strength and my glory song, my champion, my Saviour! Songs of joy and victory are sung in the camp of the godly. The strong right arm of the Lord has done glorious things!” Psalm 118:14-15 Read more…

Josh has been caring for, coaching, and inspiring people for two decades. He is a graduate of The Arrow Leadership Program, has studied family ministry at Briercrest College and Seminary, is a certified Parent Coach through Connected Families, and is trained in church trauma care through Crown College. He was a youth pastor and care pastor for 19 years and is currently the Spiritual Life and Advancement Director at Community Christian School in Willmar, MN. He is a 2 on the Enneagram and a High i on the DiSC profile. He believes deeply that everyone’s life has a unique purpose and loves helping people answer some of their biggest questions about God, family, and life. The Connected Families framework transformed the Keller’s parenting, and Josh loves helping others discover a new “baseline” and “framework”! Josh is the co-founder of The Freedom Center MN (freedomcentermn.com) in Willmar, MN with his wife Rachel and has been married to her for over 16 years. They have three kids- Elijah (15), Eden (11), and Zion (8). In their spare time, they love spending time playing four square, going on mountain drives/hikes, walking/relaxing on Siesta Key Beach, watching America’s Got Talent, Next Level Chef, & Lego Masters, and spoiling their English teddybear golden doodle Rocket! Read more…

A grandmother of five, ages 3-8, I have been involved with Connected Families for three years. As a result of seeking a Christ-centered and better way to discipline, I took the Discipline that Connects course, followed by parent coaching, and then became a Certified Parent Coach. My husband Steve and I, are blessed to have full days, 2-3 times a week, with our grandkids. My desire is to continually grow, little by little, as I implement the Connected Families Framework with my children, their spouses, and grandkids. I live in Charleston, West Virginia, where I am a full-time CRNA at Women and Children’s Hospital. Read more…

I am a mom of three amazing and energetic kids. My own journey of parent coaching began when the busyness of life was interfering with the joy I desired to experience in my family. I was frustrated. I needed God’s grace and unconditional love in my life. The Connected Families framework helped me turn from managing behavior to connecting and mentoring my children. I would love to come alongside you on an intentional parenting journey to discover your child’s unique gifts and guide them toward their purpose. Learn tools to communicate and connect with your child. Build a more connected and peaceful home. Read more…

As an adoptive mama of sensitive and intense kiddos, I found Connected Families while searching for resources to help my family thrive. The Connected families framework is practical without being prescriptive. I love how it takes God’s Word and our relationship with Him and integrates the latest brain science to guide our relationships. When I feel stuck in a situation, I can use the framework to process the next steps. Since becoming a parent, I have learned how uniquely and wonderfully each child is made. What “works” on one child doesn’t necessarily “work” on the next. This framework takes the “what” and makes it personal for each kid. I have 3 very different children and find that my interaction with each one is unique, yet the principles behind them remain the same. I can help you apply the framework for your family. I understand the family dynamics of children with mental health issues, ADHD, and intense feelings/behaviors. And, after the loss of my husband to cancer, I know what it is like to be a solo parent. God’s grace is enough. He says that He has given us everything we need for life and Godliness. I believe the framework is one of those gifts. I am excited to help you unpack it! Read more…

Marlee Thomsen, LCSWA, has been working with children and parents as a mental health therapist since 2019 at Cornerstone Counseling and Wellness. Marlee is passionate about supporting parents and children as they connect through play, the events of ordinary days, and discipline scenarios that arise. In 2021, Marlee became a Connected Families Certified Parent Coach which has helped her both personally and professionally in approaching children as God approaches us with unconditional love, safety, empathy, and loving discipline. Marlee lives in Durham, NC with her husband and two precious sons, who continue to provide opportunities for her to grow as a parent and follower of Jesus. Outside of the office, you might find Marlee wearing beloved athleisure clothing while exploring a park with her family, drinking coffee, and/or reading on her Kindle Read more…

I am a registered nurse by trade and work in a Mom/Baby Unit – the best unit in the hospital. As much of an honor as it is to welcome new life into the world, it is an even greater honor to be a parent coach! I have three beautiful, unique, and passionate children. As they grew from babies into tiny humans, I quickly realized that all the books I had read on parenting weren’t enough. I didn’t have a practical plan for the way I felt God was calling me to raise my children. When my husband and I went through coaching, our perceptions changed. We now have hope and a God-honoring plan for parenting that combines my love for science with the grace and love of the Gospel. Coaching gave me the gift of connecting with my children in the most challenging moments. I feel I have been blessed to now be a blessing to others. It would be a joy and honor to support you in your parenting journey. Read more…

I’ve spent over twenty years helping the next generation respond to God as a pastor and ministry leader. I’m passionate about equipping leaders of kids with grace-infused perspectives and practices that cultivate faith in families. As a CF Certified Parent Coach, I get to come alongside parents and church leaders to not only tell kids they’re loved by God, but show them! On the hardest days, the Connected Families framework helps me stay rooted in God’s love and offer his love to my kids, too. I’d love to help you steward the privilege of leading the kids in your family or church, especially in the messy parts. Read more…

My name is Heather Benjamin. I have a passion for the way Connected Families has combined brain science, and early childhood development with a biblical foundation creating a unique parenting framework. I am a mom to six kiddos – with one special angel awaiting me in Heaven. After losing my precious son Matthew at just 11 months old in 2022 due to complications with Dandy-Walker Syndrome & simultaneously going through a divorce, I was shattered. Dealing with my own grief and heartache was one thing, but trying to help my children figure out their own was another. My other son Alex, was struggling tremendously. He struggled with intense anger. My other kiddos struggled with ADHD, high energy, and anxiety. I was desperate and needed help. Connected families turned my life around. The tools and resources gave me the ability to help each one of my children in a unique way. Almost three years later I have now become a coach myself and my husband Kevin and I are implementing the framework daily. It’s not perfect nor will it ever be, however, I have learned to have grace with myself and with them and we are in a better place because of it. Our other five kiddos range from the age of one and a half all the way to eleven. I have experience with trauma, grief, anger, ADHD, divorce, sensitive and intense kids, special needs, and more. Through this coaching journey, I have also learned that I am sensitive and intense myself. I feel that God has used this in a way to allow me to be able to speak to parents who also struggle with things such as perfectionism, OCD, over-stimulation, stress-cycles, fight/flight, and more. I chose Connected Families because I knew, deep in my spirit, that there was a better way. A healthier and more biblical way to parent. I wanted to break toxic generational patterns, and ineffective discipline and see the transformation to being a healthy family. It would be my privilege to support and guide you through your own unique transforming journey. Read more…

I have a master’s degree in early childhood special education and over 11 years of experience as an educator in special education, preschool, and early elementary. I spent several years as a stay-at-home mom when my children were young and currently teach kindergarten at a Christian school. I have special interests in both children’s and parents’ mental health and working with parents of children with disabilities, neurodivergence, and giftedness. I was honored to help adapt the CF Discipline that Connects course to a professional development workshop for educators and to pilot this program with over 30 kindergarten-8th grade teachers at my current school. I was also a guest on the CF podcast episode 202, “Practical Classroom Management Strategies that Work”. My mission as a Connected Families parent coach is to empower parents and educators with the tools, strategies, and mindset needed to navigate the challenges of raising and educating children in today’s world. My husband and I came to Connected Families as clients in 2019 looking for a better way to parent our two sensitive and intense neurodivergent children. I was immediately impressed by how seamlessly the Connected Families Framework marries current brain research with Biblical truth. Connected Families has transformed not only how I parent but my professional work as an educator and teacher trainer, as well as my personal faith in Jesus. It would be my joy to partner with you as a parenting coach for your family or as a speaker and trainer for your church or school. I am available to coach clients in person in the Twin Cities metro area of Minnesota and worldwide via Zoom. I am available as a workshop speaker for churches and schools in the upper midwest. My prayer for all of my clients is that they will feel equipped to meet the children in their care with true unconditional love while also developing capability, wisdom, and responsibility. Read more…