CF-Certified Parent Coaches | Connected Families

Welcome to the directory of Connected Families Certified Parent Coaches! All of these coaches have gone through extensive training and preparation to be able to serve you now as parent coaches trained in the Connected Families framework.

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I was introduced to Connected Families during a traumatic season of my life, and it absolutely transformed both me and my children. As a single mom and an abuse survivor, I found the Framework to be a solid foundation and a grace-filled guide to break generational cycles and bring hope and emotional safety to my struggling family. As a homeschool mom and an adoptive mom, I also have experience navigating ADHD, anxiety, sensory issues, learning difficulties, attachment, abuse, and trauma. I would love to walk alongside you, to help equip you to experience emotional safety, connection, and joy in your family. I want you to know that the grace of God absolutely can meet you and your child in whatever you are facing and that you don’t have to walk alone in your parenting journey. 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…

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…

After saying “Yes” to Jesus to move to Belize as a missionary from 2008-2018, our family was never the same. Since we became parents, we have grown in having biological, foster, and adopted children and experience with traumas, abuse, ADHD, fetal alcohol syndrome, self-harm, and sensory and intense behaviors. Because I have learned and read so much over the years, the Lord has taught me how to be a better parent and how to walk as a child of God as well. I want to serve other families with compassion, biblical truth, practical suggestions, equipping, and a listening ear in crisis. Connected Families gave us space to heal, grow, and truly live in grace and truth- how Christ has called us. Parent Coaching was a lifeline in a time of need, and in turn, I want to provide hope for others. I am currently accepting new families. Email me at julie@anchoredpc.com to schedule a free 30-minute phone call to discover how I can best serve you. Read more…

Certified Parent Coach Since: 2021

I am a pediatric nurse practitioner and mom of four adolescents through birth and adoption with nearly a decade of experience using Connected Families resources. Trained in SPACE (Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions), I love empowering parents with a confident plan to support their children in overcoming anxiety. I have expertise in neuroscience and child development, which I love to incorporate into help you understand your child’s needs and behaviors. Faith is still foremost, however, so the ultimate hope I hold is in God’s faithfulness to guide you in all the good work he has prepared for you and your family. I have been using the Connected Families Framework for a decade in my home and nursing profession, growing in navigating these powerful questions through all kinds of ages, stages, and challenges. My experience as a nurse, but even more so as a mom, has helped me understand the unique challenges parents face with their child’s special needs. Learn more through my website, social media, or podcast episodes listed on my page (many of those are Connected Families episodes). You might also recognize me from my time moderating online courses or hosting Q&As. I look forward to working together! Read more…

I am a wife, a mom of two strong-willed and doubly gifted teenage girls, and have worked in Kids Ministry for over 15 years. I know that kids are a gift from God. I also know that their behaviors can be challenging and can lead to parent reactions that we don’t intend. I have been there! When I was introduced to Connected Families, I felt like I finally had language, tools, and hope to help me parent well and lead ministry well. One of my greatest joys is connecting with and supporting parents and ministry leaders. We all want to see our kids know Jesus deeply and follow Him with all their hearts. I believe that Connected Families gives us the resources we need to partner with God as He reaches the next generation. Read more…

I knew I wanted a shift in my parenting, but I didn’t know what else to do. I read the books, did classes, etc. and yet figuring it out with my family makeup felt elusive, that is until we began receiving coaching. I came into coaching (on the receiving end) ready to start at the top of the framework, and it has been such a beautiful journey to recognize how much more impactful, helpful, and wise it is when I start with the foundation. Parent coaching gave skin to the framework and walked us through our need for grace so that we could pass that on to our boys. As a mama of 4 boys, my husband and I have a busy household, yet when things go sideways (yes they still do!) I’m not at a loss. I know the questions to ask myself and strategies to use to get us through situations, and when I mess up, there’s grace to meet me and a second chance. The shift from behavior modification to heart transformation and building wisdom was both a challenge and a welcome relief. Jesus is still showing me toxic beliefs and grace-filled truths with which to combat them. I wouldn’t trade this journey, and I’d be delighted to join you and your family on your own journey of hope. I consider it an honor to walk alongside parents on their path with all its ups and downs. I am driven by the grace I have received in my own parenting and look forward to pointing others to that grace that can transform how they view everyday challenges in their own homes. We can connect virtually or in person. As a Connected Families Certified Parent Coach, I bring 13 years of parenting experience to coaching, and also a degree in early childhood and elementary education. I have experience homeschooling and have a passion for helping families dig into spiritual formation (kid-friendly!). Read more…

Having benefited so much from Connected Families courses and materials myself, I’m excited to support other parents in ministry who are also seeking to build healthy connections with their children, and to guide them, with love and grace, towards wisdom and responsibility. I’m originally from the UK, where I trained as a primary school teacher. For most of my adult life, though, I’ve been supporting missionaries and their children in the South Pacific. My roles have included teacher, school leader, and missionary care worker. In addition to completing Connected Families courses, I’ve received training in coaching, missionary care, conflict resolution, debriefing, and trauma-informed classrooms. By marrying Andrew (an American who grew up in Peru) and becoming a parent to our three children, I’ve gained experience in cross-cultural marriage and raising Third Culture Kids! Read more…

Certified Parent Coach Since: 2022

Many parents feel overwhelmed and stuck in patterns that aren’t working. I help them confidently implement a grace-filled parenting strategy so they can relax and enjoy their family. My greatest joy is seeing parents who have struggled in their relationship with their kids experience HOPE because of the new skills, perspectives, and mindset they have gained through coaching in one-on-one, small group, and large group meetings. I am a mom of two young adult children and “like a mom” to two young adults who have experienced extensive developmental trauma. I have had many ups and downs as a parent. I wish I had learned the Connected Families framework when my kids were young- it would have made parenting easier and my connection with my kids stronger. But I am thankful that today I enjoy connected, although not perfect, relationships with my kids. In addition to being a parent, I am a licensed Family and Early Childhood Educator with more than 25 years of experience working with young children and their parents. I have also supported and trained teachers both in the US and in Haiti. And I’ve recently taught the Connected Families framework to teachers at a school in Haiti and to teachers at a Minnesota early childhood conference. Because of my education and experiences, I especially enjoy encouraging and supporting parents of young children, parents of young adult children, parents of kids from hard places, and teachers. Read more…

I came to Connected Families as a seasoned teacher turned homeschool mom (with a sensitive and intense child) at the end of my parenting rope. Now as a CF coach I want to help other struggling families dive into this whole-Bible, whole-brain approach that helps us make the Christ centered change we want to see. I believe there is so much grace available for parents who, like me, desire to help their children grow in wisdom when they struggle. Our challenges are an opportunity to see God move, to let the Holy Spirit guide us, and to live in more of the fullness of what God has for our families. I love to get practical with tools and resources to help families apply the CF framework to their unique families. I live in Madison, WI with my husband and 3 young kids, a “teddy bear” dog, and 3 ridiculous chickens. I hold a master’s degree in Education, and have a special passion for helping families with toddlers. I would love to come alongside you on the parenting journey. Read more…