Certified Coaches

My favorite thing to do is help adults and kids foster healthy and joyful relationships. After years as a teacher working with babies through middle schoolers, I had two amazing children of my own, and I saw more than ever just how hard and beautiful raising kids can be. Behavioral challenges, developmental delays, and sensory needs – these can be quite overwhelming for all involved! The good news is that God has grace and truth for each of us. My approach in working with families is rooted in empathy, humor, and hands-on applications that can be used right away.

I found Connected Families through my work forming a nonprofit organization that supports families in our local community by providing them with an indoor playspace and adult-child classes that infuse family coaching into each experience. Little did I know just how much my own parenting journey would be impacted by the rich resources found within the Connected Families framework and courses. As a mother who often struggled with a negative mindset and feeling the pressure to be perfect, I am so grateful to say our days are now filled with lots more play, hope, and peace.

With 15 years of experience working with families, I specialize in:

• Positive discipline strategies focused on building relationships and wisdom
• Navigating big emotions (yours and your child’s!)
• Building connection and communication through play
• Support for parenting children with learning differences (For much of my teaching career, I had the honor of getting to work with kids with hearing loss and other disabilities.)

Whether you’re facing daily power struggles, feeling overwhelmed, or simply want to parent with more confidence and calm, I offer a safe, judgment-free space to explore solutions tailored to your unique family. Together, we’ll uncover the strengths you already have and build on them to create more joy, resilience, and connection at home.

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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…

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…

Danielle is a licensed Pediatric Occupational Therapist and homeschooling mother of ten years. Recognizing the genuine challenges of parenting as well as the unique privilege, Danielle loves coming alongside families to help them experience God’s grace and a deeper connection with each other. David loves helping people connect with God’s heart and has found his own relationship with the Lord being deeply impacted by the Connected Families framework. He has almost twenty years of experience in mentoring and coaching ministry leaders in spiritual and family rhythms and is delighted to now offer CF coaching. David and Danielle Cervenka were greatly helped by the Connected Families coaching program as they were serving as missionaries in Japan. They wanted to change the culture in their home where tension and yelling were commonplace, and disciplinary tools were frequently characterized by shame. They are still far from perfect, but their home is now characterized by connectedness and understanding, and peace is much more commonplace. They now live in Texas but are still heavily invested in missionaries living overseas. They love being able to pass on the Connected Families framework and see families grow in connectedness both locally and abroad. David and Danielle are happy to facilitate coaching together or separately when that is preferred. 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…

As a counselor, homeschool mom of three, and pastor’s wife, I understand that every child, parent, and family is unique, and a one-size-fits-all approach to parenting is not sufficient. At Cedar Cove, we offer Christ-centered counseling to all ages, virtually and in person. As a counselor, I blend these skills and practices into my parent coaching. Counseling has given me a knowledge of relational and mental health struggles, giving me the ability to help parents and kids who are struggling at this level. Homeschooling my own sensitive and intense kids has given me insight into the particular challenges that can occur in this context. My husband has been in school or in ministry for the duration of our marriage. While this dynamic has been challenging at times, it has grown me in my ability to help those struggling in similar ways. In each of these settings, I have helped parents and children suffering from anxiety, depression, OCD, self-injury, ADHD, ASD, ODD, and PTSD. I have helped people walk through difficult transitions, grief and loss, and painful relationships. I offer a free consultation call to any family interested in pursuing parent coaching with me. Send me an email to set this up! I look forward to hearing your struggles and walking with you through them. Read more…

I am a mom to three energetic kiddos (ages 3, 6, and 9). If you’ve ever felt exhausted and overwhelmed as a parent, I can relate! Early on in my parenting journey, I struggled with my strong-willed daughter. All the parenting strategies I used led to power struggles, big tantrums, yelling, anger, and ultimately disconnection with my child. When I discovered Connected Families back in 2019, I finally had the tools to forge new pathways of connection and peace in my family. I am passionate about generational healing. I would love to help you experience true transformation as you navigate parenting the family God has designed for you! 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 a faith-based life coach, and I have a Doctor of Ministry degree in Christian Counseling from Andersonville Theological Seminary. 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…

Parenting can be one of the most rewarding—and most challenging—callings in life. My parent coaching is designed to equip and encourage parents who feel overwhelmed, discouraged, or stuck in survival mode. Whether you’re navigating daily struggles or deeper family dynamics, I come alongside you with practical tools, compassionate support, and hope-filled guidance. Rather than focusing on what’s going wrong, I work with your strengths to help you step confidently into your God-given role as a parent. With personal and professional experience in foster care and adoption, I understand the added complexities that can come with parenting children from hard places. I offer insight, grace, and strategies tailored to your unique family story. My desire is to see you experience the joy and purpose of parenting—rooted in connection, restored hope, and growing confidence. Together, we’ll uncover the obstacles that are keeping you stuck and move toward lasting transformation in your 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…

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…