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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In the early years of parenting my bright, high-energy kiddos, some with sensory processing and ADHD challenges, I often felt stressed, overwhelmed, and hopeless as a parent. After discovering Connected Families and finding the framework so helpful with my own parenting, I became passionate about helping other parents learn how to truly receive God’s grace and truth for themselves and equip them with biblical wisdom, skills, and tools to better connect with their kids and grow healthy, thriving families.

In addition to my experience as a homeschool mom of kids who struggle with anxiety, ADHD, and Sensory Processing challenges, I also serve as a marriage coach with my husband. This enables me to bring a unique, holistic, and compassionate perspective to family relationship dynamics and I’m passionate about helping couples grow stronger in their marriage relationship as they learn to receive and pass on God’s grace and truth to each other and their children.

I look forward to coming alongside you in your parenting journey to help you grow and thrive as a parent. Connect with me to learn more at ncctk.com/parentcoaching or bethany.adams@ncctk.com

As a mother of 3 adult children (ages 17-22), I can understand both the joy and the difficulties that come with parenting kids. In addition to parenting, I have had the privilege of working in the school system for 25 years with children who have experienced learning, behavior, social, and emotional challenges. God has given me a passion to advocate for those who, many times, do not have a voice, and it is through connected relationships that many changes have taken place. So, in addition to coaching parents, I continue to mentor children using the same principles of the Framework. The Connected Families Framework has been the perfect fit for me as I am able to coach parents to wisely respond to their child’s behavior and it guides them as they make more meaningful connections that will lead to more peace and hope in the home. I am confident that God will use these tools in the most powerful way on behalf of your family. I look forward to navigating this parenting journey with you. Let’s Discover New Pathways together!! Read more…

Hi there! I’m Vanessa — a mom of two big-hearted and energetic daughters, a leadership coach, and a facilitator. I love working with families and communities to share the truth and grace of the Connected Families Framework, and God’s heart for all of his children. As a coach, I’m passionate about helping people break cycles, generate more awareness, and approach life with more intention and choice. I work with families of all faiths, and mixed-faith households. Our family is mixed faith, so I have personal experience parenting as a Christian while respecting other belief systems. If you think we could be a good fit for coaching or workshop delivery, I’d love to serve you and walk alongside you on your parenting journey! 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…

Certified Parent Coach Since: 2021

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…

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…

Gina is a certified counselor subcontracted with Grassroots Therapy. Gina is trained in The Connected Families Ministry framework and provides Family Preservation Services (FPS) to families, including foster and post adoption families. Gina shares a deep understanding of the unique dynamics and challenges of post-adoption families as her and her husbands personal journey as a foster and adoptive family has given her firsthand experience in parenting her five children that have variety of unique challenges including anxiety, autism, ADHD, developmental trauma and Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD), Gina brings a deep well of empathy, compassion and understanding to her work with parents. Gina’s therapeutic approach is rooted in a strengths-based, collaborative mindset. She values and strives to respect each person’s point of view, belief systems, values, and culture. By creating a safe and inclusive space, Gina fosters an environment where parents can openly share their concerns and work towards positive solutions. 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…

We had reached a crisis point with one of our boys when we reached out for coaching from Connected Families. Their gospel-infused framework, with very practical tools, has been transformative in so many ways. We wish we had known of Connected Families years ago! Rob is a Physician Assistant and Esther is a nurse and lactation counselor. We currently serve as missionaries in Guatemala. If you are Spanish-speaking, have kids with medical/special needs, or have sensitive or intense children, we would be glad to connect! Cuando llegamos a un punto de crisis con uno de nuestros hijos, empezamos un proceso de coaching con Connected Families. El enfoque céntrico del evangelio y las herramientas prácticas han sido transformadoras en múltiples maneras. ¡Sentimos que hubiera sido bueno conocer de Connected Families hace muchos años! Robert es asociado médico y Esther es una enfermera con especialidad en lactancia materna. Actualmente servimos como misioneros en Guatemala. Si prefieren comunicarse en español, tienen hijos con necesidades especiales o hijos intensivos/sensitivos, sería un gusto platicar. Read more…

For many years, we pursued help for our sensitive and intense child without success. By the teen years, our family was spiraling out of control. We sent our child to a therapeutic boarding school, but it didn’t produce the promised change in our family. It wasn’t until we found Connected Families and began to change the way we were parenting that we experienced a significant breakthrough. Partnering with a Connected Families coach and learning to utilize the parenting framework brought hope and changed the trajectory of our family. I have a passion for working with parents of young children so that they might avoid the pitfalls we made in our parenting journey. I also have a heart for working with parents of pre-teens and teens so that they know there is always hope for a restored relationship and an opportunity to change the future. The simple and effective teaching of Connected Families helps me recognize what’s really going on in me that drives my reactions to my children, helps me have compassion for what is going on in my children, and provides practical tools to guide them with love and connection that builds wisdom and responsibility. Before Connected Families, I was reading so much about the latest brain research and didn’t really have the skills to apply it to my Christian parenting. When I learned how Connected Families incorporates the latest brain science, therapeutic research, and Biblical truth into a beautiful, grace-filled plan, I knew we were onto something amazing. Learning to parent through the framework has been a journey of spiritual formation for me. I have learned to see how God parents me with patience, kindness, and long-suffering and always for my good. I am convinced that the hard work of applying the Connected Families framework is a journey that draws me closer to Jesus and is forming me into His image. Read more…

God has gifted me such a love for working with children and wanting to help them grow through their struggles. In the process, I have become passionate about supporting the family to grow a healthy home life that glorifies God. I grew up as a pastor’s kid and have devoted my life to working with children and youth in ministry. I am also a faith-based counselor licensed by the National Christian Counselors Association. I have a Doctor of Ministry degree in Christian Counseling from Andersonville Theological Seminary. I have the following advanced certifications from the National Christian Counselors Association: Child and Adolescent Therapy, Integrated Marriage and Family Therapy, Crisis and Abuse Therapy, Cognitive Therapy and Ethics, Domestic Violence and Intervention Therapy, Substance Abuse and Addiction Therapy, and Group Therapy. I have been a Professional Clinical Member of the National Christian Counselors Association since 2015. Read more…

You are exhausted. Tired of yelling. Worried your angry reactions are ruining your relationship with your kids? Terrified your own trauma is traumatizing your child. You’re feeling stuck and don’t know what else to do. I’m here to tell you there IS hope, and I can help. I help overwhelmed parents of young kids who are feeling defeated by persistent behavioral challenges, break free from yelling and unhelpful consequences by teaching effective, grace-filled strategies for correcting behavior while maintaining security, love, and connection with their child. I’m a trauma-informed Social Worker, Connected Families Certified Parent Coach, and founder of Truth + Grace. With a decade of experience serving families through pastoral care, child protection services, and behavioral health care coordination, I love equipping caregivers with practical skills based on brain science and biblical teaching through individualized coaching and engaging workshops. I became certified in the Connected Families Framework in 2023 after having coached parents for several years and continually seeing parents get stuck in cycles of behavior that were passed down to them from their own parents, which resulted in wounding and a ruptured foundation. Without first evaluating what’s going on in ourselves as parents, at a soul level, we are not going to be able to consistently implement any parenting strategy. Although most parents come to me with questions like, “My kid is doing XYZ; what should I do?” the place we actually need to begin is, “What’s going on in you?” When we support the parent, we support the child. Supporting and strengthening families has always been my mission. With the help of Connected Families, I have learned how to replace the toxic beliefs that trigger angry blow-ups with God’s grace-filled truths that foster connection and build a legacy of faith, hope, and love in my own family. And now I’m ready to teach you how to do it too. I specialize in children’s mental health and trauma prevention. I have experience helping families with kids of all ages and feel especially called to support parents of young children ages 2-10. Read more…