About

I support parents with both typical and not-so-typical parenting issues. My mission is to help families restore and maintain genuine connections, healthy communication, and find more joy in their time together. As a coach, I am committed to using my gifts to bring healing and agency to parents so they, in turn, can be the parents they truly want to be. Parenting is deeply emotional and personal work and I believe every parent needs and deserves the space and support to grow.

For over 20 years I have been a teacher, counselor, and interventionist. Perhaps most importantly, I am also a parent. I have extensive training as a counselor as well as specialized training and expertise in social-emotional and behavioral interventions, LGBTQ youth, trauma-informed practices, restorative practices and mental health. I can provide targeted and strategic support to families on many matters including: communication, healthy boundaries, ADHD, gender and sexual identity development, anxiety and depression, learning differences, home routines, behavioral concerns, relationships with school and more.

My approach is rooted in the belief that we don't have to be perfect parents, we just need to consistently show up and be present, physically and emotionally, for our children. I also believe that parenting is a practice, not an inherent skill. It's something we have to learn to do over time and it takes a commitment to growth and self-reflection.

In addition to my work with parents, I also work with children and teens. Young people have very specific developmental needs. Through my coaching, I guide young people to develop their self-awareness, inner wisdom, communication skills and positive self-concept.

WHAT FAMILIES ARE SAYING ABOUT COACHING WITH MELISSA

"We came to Melissa for help because our twins were entering their teens and we felt like our relationships with them were suffering at a time when trust and open communication were most important. She helped us shift our perspectives on what they need from us as they become more independent, and gave us helpful language and clear strategies to practice, all with her characteristic warmth, wit, and empathy. I’m most grateful for the way she helped me pinpoint the issues from my own childhood that were keeping me from being the parent I wanted to be. Our work with Melissa has been an absolute game-changer for our family, and we are loving the renewed connections we’ve formed with our kids.

In addition, Melissa worked with our children to help them learn to manage their anxiety, ADHD, and sensory issues, building a “toolbox” of valuable skills that have had an enormous impact on their academic and social lives this year. They told us Melissa was “fun, funny, and like a bright ray of sunshine.” I couldn’t have said it better myself!" K.B., parent of two

'Melissa is incredible at what she does. Every member of our family has benefited from her coaching sessions, each one tailored to meet our unique needs. Through music therapy, she helped our teenage son manage his anxiety and depression. My wife and I met with her together to work through our struggles as parents of two children with special (and very different) emotional needs. And through our one on one sessions, she's helped me uncover long buried trauma and emotional neglect I had suffered as a child that has been haunting me my entire life. She is amazing at making strong, genuine connections with people of all ages. She is warm, generous, patient, and way too easy to talk to. Our sessions are always followed by insightful feedback, a plethora of resources, and concrete goals to work towards. If you're willing to put in the work, your life will be changed through working with Melissa." -T.S., parent of two

"As parents of a young child who has struggled in many ways over the past few years, working with Melissa has been transformational for our family. In even the first few sessions, Melissa gave us a common language and approach to use in the most challenging moments with our son, has given us excellent suggestions for calming resources for him (that are really working!), and helped us feel so much more confident about supporting him. Melissa gives us specific language to use, how to say things in a tough moment, and has given us the tools to support our son as a team (something that has been challenging for us as a couple who often have different default reactions to our son’s behavior). Melissa gives very concrete ideas, sends us parent resources regularly, and has helped us understand why our child does certain things or reacts in certain ways. As a result, our family is already starting to see wonderful, positive change: our son is feeling better supported, we as parents are calmer and more confident, and our family is handling hard things in new, healthier ways. We cannot recommend Melissa enough as a family coach – she has helped us so much in just a few short months, and we feel so lucky to be working with her!" -E.B., parent of two

"I am so grateful that Melissa is sharing her knowledge and care with families. Melissa has an incredible understanding of children's brain development, trauma informed practices and leads with love and curiosity. Her exprience in the school setting is also imensely helpful. In each session, Melissa has offered us revelatory, easy to implement strategies and we are building a long-term plan to support our children to grow up feeling loved and supported." -S.G., parent of two

Melissa Saunders
Family Coaching

Family Coaching for CONNECTED FAMILIES

MELISSA'S CORE VALUES

WHAT FAMILIES ARE SAYING ABOUT COACHING WITH MELISSA

Children don’t just need to be loved; they need to know that nothing they do will change the fact that they’re loved.

Melissa Saunders Family Coaching

Family Coaching for CONNECTED FAMILIES

MELISSA'S CORE VALUES

WHAT FAMILIES ARE SAYING ABOUT COACHING WITH MELISSA

Children don’t just need to be loved; they need to know that nothing they do will change the fact that they’re loved.

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Melissa Saunders
Family Coaching