Certified Coaches

Mara is a Licensed Clinical Social Work Associate with experience in play therapy and family therapy in addition to parent coaching. She enjoys walking with parents through the struggles and joys of raising children, especially children who have unique challenges or experiences. Mara has found help and hope in the Lord through the Connected Families teaching and she loves to offer the same help and hope to other parents. Mara lives in Raleigh, NC with her husband and two children. She enjoys knitting, listening to audiobooks, and hiking with her family.

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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…

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…

Hope: “anticipating a future that’s better than the present”. It is crucial in all areas of life. I enjoy helping families find hope amid challenges. My passion is working with young children and their families. I have worked in various roles since beginning to babysit as a teenager. These have included daycare provider, Parents as Teachers parent educator, nutrition facilitator, Sunday School teacher, and public-school teacher/diagnostician. In all these roles I have tried to share hope with the families for it is the hope given to me through Christ’s death and resurrection that has sustained me through the tough times and helped me to find joy in the smallest of everyday happenings. Parenting is a tough job, and it has been my privilege to walk with parents through some challenging journeys as well as rejoice with them as their children grow and develop. As I approached retirement, I asked God what He wanted me to do after retirement. I felt He had a different path than teaching for me but something that could continue to support children and their families. When I heard about Connected Families, I was so energized because, in the words of one of my fellow parent coaches, “It is the perfect trifecta: evidence-based, spiritually based, and understandable by all”. I look forward to continuing to find and nurture hope in the lives of the families I coach. My husband and I have one daughter who is married and has given us two granddaughters. We were blessed to move within a five-minute walk from their home after my retirement and are thoroughly enjoying being able to spend time with them even during their sensitive and highly intense moments! “May the God of all hope fill you with joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13 This definition of “hope” is from the Bible Project’s word study: Hope. Read more…

I am a compassionate counselor, parent coach, and mother to three energetic children. Originally from the US, I have been living in Hong Kong for over 15 years, and my husband and I have been involved in marriage and family ministry for over a decade. I have training in both mental health counseling as well as inner healing, and I am passionate about nurturing families and facilitating healing in relationships. I am available for coaching online or in person and would love to hear from you. 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…

My journey to become a parent coach started when God called me and my husband into the process of rebuilding the foundations of our family. Connected Families was the complete answer to our question: “how”. Later I understood that the calling wasn’t only for the sake of our own family, but for something bigger that God is doing in this time. Through the grace of God, we’ve started to see the blessing of the Christ-centered transformation in our family, which is the main vision of Connected Families. I’m a mom of three sensitive and intense kids. I’m excited to coach and walk alongside families who long to see the gospel, God’s love and grace lived true in the midst of all the challenges of the daily life of their family and parenting. I also lead workshops, courses for small groups and translate Connected Families content into the Finnish language, which can help parents, as well as people who work with or are in any close connection with kids. I live and work in Finland. Polkuni vanhemmuuden valmentajaksi alkoi siitä kun Jumala kutsui minut ja mieheni “perheen perustusten uudelleenrakennusprosessiin”. Connected Families on ollut kokonaisvaltainen vastaus “miten”-kysymykseemme. Myöhemmin ymmärsin että tuo kutsu ei ollut vain omaa perhettämme varten, vaan osa jotain suurempaa, mitä Jumala on tekemässä tässä ajassa. Jumalan armosta olemme saaneet alkaa nähdä Kristus-keskeistä muutosta perheessämme, joka on Connected Families:n päänäky. Olen kolmen herkän ja intensiivisen lapsen äiti. Haluan valmentaa rinnalla kulkien perheitä jotka kaipaavat saada nähdä evankeliumin sekä Jumalan armon ja rakkauden tulevan eletyksi todeksi, läpi perheen ja vanhemmuuden haasteiden. Vedän myös työpajoja, kursseja pienryhmille sekä suomennan Connected Families:n sisältöä, josta voi vanhempien lisäksi saada apua kaikki kasvattajat ja lasten kanssa työskentelävät. Asun ja työskentelen Suomessa. 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’m a trauma-informed Social Worker, Connected Families Certified Parent Coach, and founder of Truth + Grace. I have a decade of experience serving foster care and adoptive families, people in substance use recovery, and children/adults with mental health or neurodevelopmental conditions. I have personally experienced the life-transforming grace and truth of the gospel in my parenting through Connected Families and I love watching parents light up as they see for themselves how grace-based parenting brings peace and joy back into their homes. 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. ​If you want to enjoy your child again, motivate them towards better behavior, and experience deeper family connections – I would be honored to support you on your journey. 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…

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…

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…

Corinne Downe is a certified parent coach with Connected Families who loves helping parents move from chaos to connection (with a few laughs along the way!). Proud of her strong Latin heritage, Corinne brings warmth, empathy, and a deep appreciation for family culture into every coaching session. She’s fluent in Spanish and passionate about serving both English- and Spanish-speaking families with grace-filled, practical tools that really work to unite the family. Whether navigating toddler tantrums or teen drama, she meets parents with encouragement, honesty, and hope. Read more…