Stephanie Akin
Certified Parent Coach 

A Certified Parent Coach is a trained professional who offers support, guidance and research-based tools to help parents navigate the real-life challenges of raising children. It's a space to talk through what's hard, understand what's happening beneath the surface, and find practical ways to respond with more intention, confidence, and connection.Different parent coaches have varying philosophies & backgrounds, and not all are formally trained or certified. Finding someone who aligns with your values - matters deeply. I'd love to help you explore whether my approach feels like the right fit for your family. Book a complimentary Discovery Call to learn how I can offer you the support you deserve.

No. Parent Coaching and Therapy are different forms of support, though certain aspects can feel similar.Therapy can help you process or manage your past/present trauma, addictions, depression, anxiety, and a host of other mental health issues. Therapists may work with adults, couples, families, children/teens - it can cover a broad spectrum of clients and issues. A Certified Parent Coach specializes in one area of expertise, parenting. With one main client, parents. Coaching is focused solely on helping you achieve your parenting goals, providing research-based support, and implementing healthy parenting strategies that benefit you and your child.I am not a licensed therapist, and I do not diagnose or treat mental health conditions. Are you already in therapy? Parent Coaching can complement this work beautifully. I always say, the more we heal ~ the more our children heal. This philosophy is at the heart of my work as a parent coach.Is your child in therapy? Parent Coaching can be a wonderful addition, helping you learn how to best support your child at home, outside of their therapy sessions. When your parenting aligns with what your child needs to thrive, it is a recipe for success.*I refer to (and work in conjunction with) licensed therapists to provide a holistic approach for my clients. Anything outside of my scope of practice gets referred out to appropriate resources.

Intentional Parenting is a mindful approach to raising children. It involves being purposeful and proactive in our parenting, with the goal of forming a safe, loving, secure attachment with our child. It's about leading with connection, healthy + sturdy boundaries, open communication, and mutual respect. Most importantly, it's about recognizing just how deeply our parenting shapes our children, and the adults they become. (just like our parents shaped us.)It is not about parenting perfectly; it's about parenting with intention.

Our work together is shaped by your unique needs and family. Many parents choose private one-on-one coaching sessions, typically one hour per week, where we meet either in person if local, or via zoom or by phone. During these sessions, we focus on the questions, challenges, and every day parenting moments that matter most to you. I provide a safe space, a listening ear, support, education, guidance, motivation and actions steps that work for you and your child.For those looking for a more comprehensive foundation to Intentional Parenting, I also offer a 12-week Transformational Parenting Course grounded in evidence-based parenting. Weekly private sessions are included in this package, so that you can implement all the wisdom you're learning in real time with your children.Some parents come to me desiring support with a specific challenge. Others prefer ongoing support as their children grow and new challenges arise. Some take a break and reconnect as needed. Parenting is an ever-evolving journey, and the support we need along the way can evolve, too.My role is always to meet you where you are, offering thoughtful guidance and practical support in a way that feels right for you and your family.

The truth is, we could all use a Parent Coach! Raising a human for 18 years (and beyond) is the hardest, most important job in the world. We all deserve support. If any of the below apply to you, you qualify for Parent Coaching. Book a Discovery Call with me anytime to learn more. I would love to connect and hear what's going on in your parenting world.Do you ever...Feel stressed or overwhelmed in parenting?Long for more cooperation & less power struggles in your home?Want to learn how to support your child through their challenges & big emotions?Need support with your own self-care, needs and emotions ~ so you can better show up for your kids?Want help navigating discipline & other parenting challenges?Get triggered, or struggle to stay calm with your child in the moment?Desire more connection with your child?Resort to punishments, threats, yelling or time-outs because you feel out of options, and wish there was a better way?Wish you could do things differently than how you were raised, but find yourself repeating the very patterns you swore you wouldn't repeat ~ and want to break the cycle?Feel knowledgeable about parenting, yet still have questions & want to take your parenting to the next level?Believe in Intentional Parenting yet find it hard to implement in real life moments with your kids?If you've ever felt any of the above, you are not alone. I am here to help in any way that feels right for you and your family.

While a good book, podcast, or instagram post can have an impact -- knowing what to do and actually doing it in the hard moments are two very different things.Information can be helpful. Personalized support is what helps you turn that information into change.A parent coach can bring that important information to life in a way that works for you, your child, and your family. Together, we will make sense of what's happening, create a practical plan, and work through the real-life moments that make parenting challenging. You don't just get more information - you get someone in your corner to help you turn what you know into how you parent.

All parents deserve support - especially those of us parenting sensitive, neurodivergent, or uniquely wired children. This isn't about "fixing" our child. It's about parenting and celebrating the child we have, while learning how to navigate their challenges in the healthiest, most connected way possible - for us and for them.I have experience supporting parents navigating all of the above and have witnessed the beautiful difference parent coaching has made in these family's lives. I am also a parent with personal experience in some of the above. I can wholeheartedly say that parenting intentionally has allowed my own children and family to thrive. I would be honored to walk alongside you on your journey.

I first want to reassure you that this is common, and you are not alone. That being said, I welcome couples and co-parents to attend sessions or take my course together ~ if it feels right to them. It's a powerful experience the whole family can benefit from. When your partner/co-parent is not on board, it can feel discouraging. But I have good news to share. Research shows having just ONE caregiver a child can form a secure attachment to, is all they need to thrive! This means if you focus on being the best parent you can be ~ that is the most valuable gift you can give your child. *ps: many spouses & co-parents get inspired by their partner's work with me. Once they see the growth and changes you and your child make, you never know...they may just come around. ;)

Yes! It is such a joy and honor. I offer engaging, practical parent talks designed to support families and strengthen the connection between home and school.Topics can focus on intentional parenting, connection, boundaries, communication, emotional regulation, and the everyday challenges parents face as their children grow.These talks give parents a chance to step back, gain a fresh perspective, and leave with practical strategies they can use at home right away. My talks also provide schools with a meaningful way to support the whole family and create a shared language around parenting and child development.I offer these talks to schools at no cost, making them an accessible resource for both the school and its parent community.Visit my Testimonials Page to hear from some of the lovely parents who have attended my talks.

Anyone working closely with children will benefit greatly from this work. Children spend 7 hours a day, 5 days a week at school. Some children spend more waking hours with their school/nannies/daycare than with their parents. Research shows the more positive adult influences a child has in their life; the more adults who support & believe in them; the more safety a child feels in their environments..... the better outcomes children will have. My Transformational Parenting Course, Workshops, and Private Coaching all foster connection between an adult and a child. You will learn many life-changing skills that you can apply in the classroom setting or in your nannying. You will also learn about yourself - as the adult and leader in this dynamic - and how you came to be the teacher/nanny you are today.