Hi!
Welcome.
"Thank you for helping me learn how to parent my child with greater understanding and compassion. When he’s not annoyed by me, I think he actually likes me!! Thank you again for adding your light to my life."
K.B., Parent of a Teen
Infusing wisdom, experience, and humor!
I love my work and I am excited to be a part of your journey! When we work together, I support, guide, and challenge you to understand yourself in new ways and grow in your ability to show up for your children.
My career has focused on working with families and have been doing so for over 20 years!
Experience that has prepared me for parent coaching:
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Bachelor's in Psychology (Child and Adolescent Focused)
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Masters in Clinical Psychology (Child and Adolescent Track)
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15 years working as a psychotherapist focusing on children, teens, and families
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Owned a mental health clinic specializing in children, teens, and families. Employed and supervised a team of therapists that served over 250 families in our community
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Specialty working with families and children who have experienced trauma
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5 years solely working with children with autism and developmental delays
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Significant training in attachment, development, parenting, and neuroscience
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And the best testament of all - many, many children, teens, parents, and families that are thankful I have been a part of their journey
Where did this all start?
Since I was young, I have been a keen observer of human behavior. My brother died of a heroin overdose when I was 16. I became fascinated with understanding what was missing for him and why he turned to drugs. This bloomed into a passion for psychology and the power of the parent-child attachment relationship.
So what else?
I am excellent at supporting parents in improving their ability to raise healthy humans. However, don’t ask me to cook or give you directions. Both often result in many errors and unhappy results!
Key principles I hold close to my heart:
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Parenting is at its best when it is present and playful.
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Children and teens gain important emotional regulation
skills when they are kept close during hard times and tough
emotions are embraced.
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Kids learn best through correction not punishment.
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Change is always possible.
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Lastly, we can’t lead our children to places we aren’t willing to go ourselves. This means parents have to be willing to do their own work in order to see the changes they want to see in their children.
I was a great parent until I became one!
Joking aside, kinda. . .I am an imperfect parent. I have felt overwhelmed, frustrated, saddened, and highly anxious at different points of parenthood. My young son is a very spicy one who has challenged me in countless ways. I understand what it means to have limited time and energy in whatever form that may look for you. In the work I do, I provide feedback that is personalized and in “bite size” amounts so that change is possible without it feeling too overwhelming. After working with families for so long, I know change takes time and we can only digest so much.
I admire you for wanting change.
To have healthy children, we have to first start with parents. I deeply respect parents who want to improve their parenting. Most parents just want to “fix” their kids. Improving your parenting often means improving ourselves. Most parents are too scared to take this step but those who do are deeply rewarded.
Leading with a deep respect of all parents who are interested in improving their parenting. If you want to take this leap with me, please reach out!
"We didn't know what we were missing! Kristen taught us to connect with our kids in new ways and see through their behaviors that drove us up the walls! I now understand where my previous reactions came from and now what to do when feeling stressed."
D.R., Mom of 4
Reach out for a 20 minute consultation to see if parent coaching is the right fit for you.