Frequently Asked Questions

What are your credentials?

I bring together a blend of professional expertise and lived experience to support families in a grounded, compassionate, and neuro-affirming way.

Professional background:

• 25 years in education as a teacher, leadership coach, and professional development facilitator

• Taught human development to adult learners training to be teachers

• Formally trained facilitator in the University of Melbourne’s Tuning Into Kids program (evidence-based parent coaching training)

Lived experience:

• AuDHD parent of autistic/PDA children

• Supported my daughter through severe autistic burnout

• Deep understanding of the nervous system, trauma, and low-demand parenting through personal and professional integration

I’m not a counsellor or clinician — I’m a coach. Parents often tell me they value this because I understand their experience from the inside, not just from a textbook. My practice is trauma-informed, neuro-affirming, and grounded in both developmental science and real-life experience.

What kinds of things can we talk about in a session? 

Sessions are a space for you — whether you’re navigating burnout recovery, struggling with school demands, or just trying to stay afloat. We can talk about parenting challenges, family dynamics, your child’s needs, or your own emotional wellbeing. Nothing is too small or too “messy” to bring here.

Do you work with parents who don’t have a formal diagnosis for their child 

Yes. Many of the families I support are still exploring what’s going on for their child or are in the long wait for assessments. You don’t need a diagnosis to receive support — if your child is struggling and you’re feeling overwhelmed, that’s enough.

Can both parents attend coaching sessions? 

Yes, absolutely. If both caregivers are involved and want to attend, that can be really helpful. You can attend together or separately — whatever works best for your family.

Do you offer coaching for parents of teens and young adults or only for parents of younger children? 

I support parents of children, teens and young adults, including those navigating burnout, school refusal, or complex transitions into adolescence or from adolescence to young adulthood. If your child is struggling, regardless of their age, I’m here to help you feel more equipped and connected.

What’s the difference between coaching and therapy? 

Coaching is non-clinical and future-focused. I won’t diagnose or treat mental health conditions, but I will support you with tools, strategies, and compassionate guidance to meet your family’s needs. Many parents find coaching is the “in-between” support they’ve been missing.

What if I’m too overwhelmed to even know where to start? 

That’s okay — it’s incredibly common. You don’t need to come prepared or have all the answers. Part of my role is helping you figure it out together, step by step, in a supportive, non-judgmental space.

How many coaching sessions do parents typically need when working with you? 

This is a difficult question for me to answer as every parent, child and family situation is different.  This is something we can discuss in a free 30-minute planning call.

Are our conversations confidential, even if I’m in the U.S.? 

I take your privacy very seriously. As a New Zealand–based parent coach, I am not subject to U.S. or international mandatory reporting laws. I do not report to CPS, schools, or government agencies. Everything shared in coaching, email, or the membership is kept confidential, unless I am legally required to act under New Zealand law in the event of serious risk of harm.

This is a safe, supportive space where you can speak freely without fear of judgment or being reported. You can read my Confidentiality and Privacy Statement Here.