Certified Coaches

I am a part-time pediatrician, a full-time wife, a full-time mom of three energetic boys, and also a certified parent coach through Connected Families! My family loves to laugh and make memories, but we have often struggled in the day-to-day details. We believe the Lord has made each one of us just as we are, and we trust that He has a plan for our family, through both blessings and trials. Words often heard in our stories include ADHD, autism, anxiety, anger…we call them the A’s! Oh, and sometimes we can throw in asthma and allergies too! As you can imagine, parenting has not been an easy journey. Within our family, we have had struggles, anger, many tears, frustrations, hurt feelings, and even feelings of hopelessness. A friend told us about Connected Families several years ago, and my husband and I dove into all their resources we could get our hands on! Everything Connected Families has to offer is filled with HOPE! As we learned more about the framework, especially that our boys needed to feel safe and loved first, before we could teach them or correct them in anything, our family began to turn around. We are by no means perfect, and even though our boys are older—all teens now, we are still in the thick of it and continue to need the framework to guide us every day. In the end, our hope is we would always come back to our foundation—resting in Him—Jesus, our Rock, and our Refuge!

As a pediatrician with 25+ years of experience, I seem to have also collected many patients and families who struggle with the same things we do—ADHD, autism, anxiety, and the heartache and challenges that come along with them. This has not been intentional, but I know that I am able to relate to families both as a doctor and as a Mom who “gets it.” It was also in this light that I was excited to see the development of Connected Families’ Sensitive & Intense Kids online course. In my pediatric work, I have never been able to find anything like it! The Sensitive & Intense Kids course, along with all Connected Families resources, is a beautiful blend of brain science, decades of experience, and a faith-based foundation. It has been my joy to begin sharing parts of what I have learned from this course within my pediatric practice and to watch parents also begin to see the glimmer of hope.

Through coaching with me, either in general parenting, or specifically with sensitive & intense kids, this would be my vision for you as well–not to be your doctor, but to be your coach and still be that Mom who “gets it,” who now has been equipped with resources and tools to encourage you and guide you in a way that offers more hope to your parenting! During our sessions, my intention would be for you to feel comforted in knowing you are not alone and strengthened with a renewed vision for the days ahead in your family.

“And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock.” Matthew 7:25

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…

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…

With a B.S. in Biblical Studies and over 15 years of ministry experience as a pastor, I bring both personal and professional passion to helping families grow in grace and connection. I am a Certified Parent Coach (Connected Families), an Affiliate Trainer for Trauma Free World, and a Certified Facilitator for Prepare & Enrich. As a therapeutic foster parent and mom of three, two adopted through the foster care system, I understand the complexities of parenting children with deep histories of trauma. I discovered Connected Families in the darkness of my own parenting journey. I was desperate for help, parenting children who had recently received multiple diagnoses, and my husband and I felt completely ill-equipped to meet their needs. Through Connected Families, we found grace, understanding, and practical tools that gave us the confidence to parent through adversity, and discover healing on the other side. Today, I work at an alternative school, where I witness daily the transformative power of connection with students from the hardest places. I also serve on the vision team for Foster the City, equipping and inspiring churches to provide loving homes and supportive communities for children in foster care. Connected Families changed the trajectory of my parenting and brought peace to our home. My heart now is to walk alongside other families, offering hope, encouragement, and the assurance that healing and connection are possible, even in the hardest seasons. Read more…

Alice is a heart-connector and dream-builder who believes connections can change the world — and she’s built her life making that vision a reality. Through coaching, she creates spaces where families grow stronger, relationships heal, and authentic bonds thrive. Every conversation plants a seed of transformation; every detail nurtures connection. For Alice, Bonding Hearts isn’t just a business — it’s her calling, art, and mission to help hearts find their way back to each other, one soul at a time. 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…

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…

Hi, I’m Jenna, a certified parent coach and mom to three uniquely designed kids. My parenting journey, including autism, emotional and behavioral challenges, IEPs, foster care, and adoption, has shaped my heart for supporting families, especially those with neurodivergent children. Rooted in faith, grace, and the Connected Families framework, I provide practical tools and encouragement to help parents restore calm, connection, and confidence in their homes, guiding families toward greater joy, peace, and purpose. Read more…

Working with the Connected Families framework has become an important part of my everyday life. The need for change in our ways of thinking and acting is a task that our circumstances often push us toward. As a mother of three, I have needed truthful and grace-filled insight into my own parenting and my ways of responding to the changing needs and situations in my children’s lives — without forgetting myself in the process. Taking time for parent coaching with this concept is life-changing and empowering. I offer parent coaching and courses for small groups in Finnish. Minulle työskentely Connected Families -ydinmallin kanssa on tullut tärkeäksi osaksi arkeani. Ajattelu- ja toimintatapojen muutos on työ, johon huutavat tarpeet yleensä ajavat ja kutsuvat meitä. Kolmen lapsen äitinä olen tarvinnut totuudellista ja armollista valaistusta omaan vanhemmuuteeni ja tapoihini vastata muuttuviin tarpeisiin ja tilanteisiin lasteni elämässä – unohtamatta itseäni listalta. Ajan ottaminen vanhemmuuden valmennukseen tämän konseptin parissa on elämää muuttavaa ja voimaannuttavaa. Tarjoan vanhemmuuden valmennusta ja pienryhmien ohjausta suomeksi. Read more…

By the grace of God, I have been involved in children’s ministry at different levels for more than 20 years. Children are gifts from God and they are given for purpose. As it is written in Ephesians 2:10 “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good work, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” This is not only for adults, it includes children. So, parents are responsible for helping children to fulfill their calling. I am always telling parents that parenting is not an option. The Connected Families Framework changed my attitude and approach to parent training. We need God’s grace and wisdom to serve and save children for eternal life. We have to encourage and learn from one another for good work. I am living in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia where I work in children’s ministry for Wycliffe Ethiopia Bible Translation Association. I am passionate about encouraging and empowering Ethiopian parents wherever they are to raise their children in God’s grace. 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…

Mother of two. Clinical psychologist /counselor Holistic Child Development specialist Connected Families Certified Parent Coach Focusing on:

• General parenting
• Parents-child connection
• Teens & Adolescents mentorship

Read more…