CF-Certified Parent Coaches

As an adoptive parent, I understand the parenting challenges unique to families formed through adoption. In addition to parenting, I have had the privilege of working as the Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) Coordinator for my county since 2018, with children in foster care who have experienced the trauma of neglect and abuse. I bring encouragement for strengthening families through virtual one-on-one coaching, small group coaching, and in-person workshops. I accept clients from any location, as I do all my parent coaching sessions virtually. I would love to come alongside you in your adoptive/foster parenting journey.

In November of 2023, I attended an adoption conference in Des Moines, IA. I saw a picture with the Connected Families Framework, which drew me in to take a closer look. When I saw that this was Biblically based, I wanted to learn more, and I became a certified Parent Coach in November 2024. I am continually learning and applying the Framework, so that I can encourage and equip parents on how to help their children find their unique identity and beliefs about themselves. In my own Connected Families coaching sessions, it was revealed to me that I wasn’t as “safe” a parent as I thought I was. I am now looking at myself first and trying to be a better listener. It is never too late to change!

I have four children, six years apart. My oldest two are biological, and my youngest two were adopted internationally from Taiwan, making us a multiracial family. They are all young adults now, so I have experienced every age and stage from preschool through high school and beyond. Family is sacred, and over the decades, my faith has grown into a closer union with God. I seek comfort in the Lord to be patient as I wait upon the Holy Spirit to lead my husband (and high school sweetheart) to put his faith in Jesus. Luke 1:45 Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill His promises to her. This is why I chose to name my coaching business, She Believed. What are you believing God for in your journey?

“Mandy’s coaching was truly impactful. She didn’t rush through the areas where I needed more support, and she was consistently encouraging. One of the most meaningful aspects was how she ended every session with prayer, which left me feeling uplifted and strengthened.” Becky, client in summer 2024

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As a mother to 5 kids (ages 17 to 7), I understand the unique challenges and joy parents face, especially parenting children with ADHD, autism, anxiety, depression, gifted, dyslexia, developmental delays, mental health challenges and adoption trauma. Before finding Connected Families I searched everywhere for resources and read book after book about methods that were short lived. That is where I hit the wall of desperation and sought parent coaching through Connected Families. I ultimately became a coach through their training program to help others like me. I have seen transformation in our home through working with a framework that not only has changed our children’s behavior, but transformed our hearts as well. You are not alone on this parenting journey. There is hope and you can enjoy your children, building lasting relationships with your children and deep connection that lasts a lifetime. And I’m here to help. Read more…

Whether you’re a parent grappling with discipline dilemmas or a grandparent taking on a pivotal caregiving role, I’m here to share a little hope and help. My journey as a mother of eight and grandma has equipped me with a deep understanding of the unique struggles faced by parents and grandparents alike. For the past 35 years, I’ve mentored families as a teacher, homeschool consultant, speech coach, and now as a Connected Families Certified Parent Coach. My business – Room4Hope Coaching – was born out of my prayer for God to “make room for hope” in my own family. I combine my professional training and personal experience to help families communicate and connect. It is my great joy to be a trusted mentor to my own children, grandchildren, and to YOU.

For more information, visit www.Room4HopeCoaching.com or email [email protected]

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As a home educator, I understand the lifestyle and parenting challenges unique to homeschooling. I have experience with adoption, ADHD, sensory processing, primitive reflex integration, and highly sensitive children. I am a Connected Families parent coach trainer and work as a mentor and parent coach in the Thive Homeschool community. I also serve parents in my private coaching practice through one-on-one coaching, small group coaching, workshops, and a monthly newsletter. In 2015, our three sensitive and intense boys were 10, 8, and 5. My husband and I were in the same boat as you, struggling with parenting and knowing we needed better tools. We tried many approaches that relied heavily on behavior modification, but those philosophies felt unnatural and manipulative. We may have been getting some results, but they weren’t long-lasting and didn’t help build the family culture we longed for. When we discovered the Connected Families Framework, we found it clear, purposeful, and aligned with our values. It helped us grow wisdom in our kids and build a more connected family. Parent Coaching was the best investment we could have made for our family. It was a transformative experience that gave us a new perspective, helping us connect with our boys before jumping in to correct their behavior. It provided us with accountability and guided us through our unique parenting challenges. Not only has it brought more confidence and clarity to our parenting, but it has also brought more peace to our home. Now that we have two college-age kids and one finishing up homeschooling high school, I see the fruit of the Framework! That’s why I’m so deeply passionate about sharing these tools with families. We have experienced such an amazing transformation, and I am confident I can help your family experience this, too. What a blessing to see how God is equipping parents to disciple their children, who will one day pass this blessing on to their children. God is in the business of redeeming families. It would be an honor to walk alongside you on your journey! If you’re ready to bring more peace and connection to your home, I invite you to visit my website and book a free consultation. Read more…

I found Connected Families at a time of desperation with my children, and I received the tools, instruction, and hope to forge a new path with them. After taking the DTC online course and receiving one-on-one coaching, there was an amazing trajectory shift in our family. I am a wife and mother of three young adults, each of which is so different than the next! It is my desire to come alongside families that are looking for a better way to parent and help them make lasting changes. I want to extend the same hope that I received to those who are just starting the parenting journey as well as to those who, like me, found themselves in a broken place. I have experience working with ASD, ADHD, sensory processing, and strong-willed kiddos! I am currently not accepting coaching clients outside of Kenmore Alliance Church. Read more…

When my daughters were first born, my husband worked out of town every weekday and I was struggling with post-partum depression. As a mom desiring to do everything perfectly, I was drowning under a sea of unmet expectations. I had goals and didn’t have a plan for how to make them a reality. From my time as a counselor, I knew I wanted our girls to know their value, but I struggled to enforce consequences. When I found the Connected Families material, I found the tools to apply the principles that were most important to me in counseling. It was like someone had written a how-to manual on being a wholehearted parent. I was thrilled and spent the next 6 years applying the framework in my home and reading The Discipline that Connects book with as many friends as would meet me for coffee. So when I learned that Connected Families was training coaches I knew that I wanted to become a coach. And share this life-giving framework with others. I am passionate about empowering parents as they build a home where everyone feels valued and connected. Using my experience as a school counselor and a parent coach, I would love to walk alongside you as you learn new strategies and apply the Connected Families framework in your home. 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…

We are passionate about introducing parents who are tired of trying harder to a way of trying differently through the Connected Families Framework. Grounded in the Gospel and up to date with research in neuroscience, Connected Families teaches how to connect with your children with both messages of grace and accountability. We desire to walk with families as they cast a vision for building wisdom in their children over time. Tara is a middle school teacher turned stay-at-home mom and home educator to our 5 kids ages 0-11. In addition to being a busy dad and husband, David is an actuary and a lay pastor. He is available to coach with Tara upon request. His passion includes walking with other dads in their parenting journey. We are so grateful for Connected Families’ impact on our own family as it has strengthened our relationship with God, each other, and our children. Read more…

Dr. Douglas Kowieski is a compassionate parent coach, counselor, and educator dedicated to helping families build strong, faith-centered relationships rooted in grace, wisdom, and connection. With a background in pastoral counseling, trauma-informed care, and family systems development, Dr. Kowieski brings over two decades of experience walking alongside parents as they navigate the joys and challenges of raising children in today’s complex world. As the founder of Hope for the Family, Dr. Kowieski’s mission is to equip parents with the tools and insight to foster emotional resilience, spiritual growth, and Christ-centered communication within their families. His coaching philosophy emphasizes the value of using the Connected Families Framework to disciple children and teens, while helping parents move from reactive patterns to intentional, heart-centered guidance that reflects God’s love and truth. Dr. Kowieski has served as a ministry leader, counselor, and educator, developing programs for churches, schools, and community organizations. His experience with adoptive and foster families, first responders, and those in ministry uniquely positions him to understand the intersection of stress, calling, and family dynamics. He is also a frequent speaker and writer on topics such as faith-based parenting, boundaries, and emotional health in Christian homes. When he’s not teaching or coaching, Dr. Kowieski enjoys spending time with his family, mentoring leaders, and developing resources that empower others to live out their faith authentically within the home. Areas of Focus: Faith-based parent coaching Emotional and spiritual development in families Foster and adoptive parenting support Biblical boundaries and communication Marriage and family enrichment Pastoral and ministry-family dynamics Read more…

Mary Trego with Moving Forward Parent Coaching As an experienced coach, mom, and yaya, I would love to join you in your parenting journey, to encourage and help you move forward. You will learn ways to connect with and guide your child, as well as give yourself grace. This will result in more joy and satisfaction in your parenting. About my coaching: I have been a parent coach for about 10 years since completing a year-long course with the Parent Coaching Institute. I choose to continue my training with Connected Families, feeling that there were gaps in my ability to really help parents. I was attracted to CF by the Biblically grounded and research-informed teaching. Connected Families is rich with the knowledge, tools, and encouragement that parents need. While we all know that parenting can be fun and rewarding, it doesn’t take long to realize that raising a little human can also be challenging and exhausting. Sometimes we get stuck, trying the same techniques and getting the same frustrating results. Parent coaching is a way to get out of that rut. I chose a business name of “Moving Forward Parent Coaching” to help parents know that there is a way forward and with God’s help, find more joy and peace for yourself and your family. I love to encourage parents through their everyday challenges, especially those with children ages 2 to 10. I am also passionate about supporting single parents with the extra responsibilities they carry. As a coach, I am by your side to help you become more competent, confident, calm, and Christ-like. I look forward to encouraging you on your hope-filled journey. About me: My husband, Jason, and I both grew up in Kansas and lived there until 2000 when his job change moved our family to Athens, Greece. In all, we lived in 5 locations in Europe, Africa and Latin America. I understand the challenges of living and raising children overseas, and I love to encourage these parents who are far from their home country and family. We now live in NW Montana and also spend several months each year close to family in Denver. In addition to encouraging parents, I enjoy gardening and traveling with Jason, the love of my life for over 45 years. And of course, I cherish spending quality time and making memories with our 5 children and their families, including the 5 cute and smart grands! To find out more about parent coaching, contact me at: [email protected]. Briefly tell me about your family and your top parenting challenges. The next step will be a complimentary 15-minute phone conversation to see if coaching together is a good fit for both of us. An email will follow to explain the coaching process. Read more…

I am a youth pastor, a dedicated husband to one, and a father of three. I understand the intricacies of parenthood from both a personal and professional perspective. With a heart filled with compassion and a deep commitment to the Church family, I hope to bring a unique blend of faith-based guidance and practical wisdom to parent coaching. I have served in youth ministry for over a decade and have experienced firsthand and alongside others many of the challenges and joys that families encounter on the windy and wonderful journey of doing life together. I’m a Barnabas. I am wired to uplift and encourage. In addition to working with students, I’ve expanded our church ministry to include parent coaching to support discipleship that happens at home. where he offers a holistic approach that integrates faith, love, and compassion into every aspect of parenting. Read more…

Hello, I am Ms. Jen and I believe we are all different by design. I love to partner with families, like yours, to help parents of children who may be struggling with issues commonly associated with ADHD, Autism, Sensory Processing Differences, PANS/PANDAS, mood disorders, and trauma. As a Connected Families Certified Parent Coach, I help parents grow wisdom in their sensitive and intense kiddos using the Connected Families Framework. I am a parent of three sensitive and intense daughters, who are grown now and have children of their own, who are also sensitive and intense. I wish I had Connected Families parent coaching while raising my girls! I have found it helpful with my grandkids and in my pediatric mental health practice, where I work with neurodivergent kiddos and their families. I am excited to partner with you to go from chaos to connection while learning through God’s abundant grace. Read more…