Meet Christa: Your guide to Thriving Parenting

Discover the person behind The Thriving Parent. Learn about my journey, my passion for supporting families, and how my unique approach can help you navigate the beautiful challenges of parenthood.

My journey to parent coaching

What led me to become a parent coach was both my professional experience and, even more powerfully, my own parenting journey. After more than 15 years in education as a classroom teacher and behavior specialist, I worked closely with children, families, and school teams and saw firsthand how often parents felt overwhelmed, unsupported, and unsure of what to do next. I met so many parents who deeply loved their children and genuinely wanted to help—but felt stuck in traditional “power over” approaches, believing they needed to force behavior change rather than understand what was driving it.

At the same time, my own journey as a parent—especially parenting a neurodivergent child—completely transformed the way I understand children and behavior. I know what it feels like to feel alone, exhausted, and overwhelmed, questioning whether somehow it was your fault or feeling the pressure that you simply needed to “fix” your child. That experience sent me on my own path of learning—seeking better ways to support my family and others.

My compassionate and practical philosophy

My approach is deeply relational, compassionate, and practical. I believe parenting is not about controlling children or forcing behavior change—it’s about understanding what is driving behavior, building connection, and teaching the skills children need to grow.

My philosophy is rooted in the belief that parents are not failing—they are often doing the best they can with the tools they’ve been given. Many families have been taught “power over” parenting approaches that focus heavily on compliance, but I help parents shift toward strategies that balance connection, accountability, and realistic expectations. Because of both my professional background in education and behavior support and my personal experience parenting a neurodivergent child, I bring both expertise and lived understanding to this work. I know firsthand how isolating and overwhelming parenting can feel when traditional strategies aren’t working.

My style is warm, nonjudgmental, and collaborative. I don’t believe in one-size-fits-all solutions; instead, we work together to find what truly thrives for your unique family.

Why I am the right person to help you

I want parents to know that I truly understand what it feels like to be in the hard places of parenting—not just professionally, but personally. I have walked the road of feeling overwhelmed, isolated, questioning myself, and wondering why the strategies everyone recommended were not working for my child. Parenting a neurodivergent child and navigating complex behavioral and emotional needs changed me, not only as a parent, but as a professional.

What makes me different is that I bring both lived experience and professional expertise. With over 15 years in education as a classroom teacher and behavior specialist, I understand child development, behavior, school systems, and the realities families face when trying to get support. But beyond credentials, I understand the emotional side of this journey—the guilt, exhaustion, frustration, grief, hope, and fierce love that come with parenting children who need something different.

I am not here to judge parents, hand out one-size-fits-all advice, or tell you what you’re doing wrong. I am here to walk alongside you, offer practical strategies, and empower you to discover your own unique path to a thriving family life.

"Christa has a remarkable ability to connect with parents, offering both profound empathy and actionable strategies. Her unique blend of professional expertise and personal experience makes her an invaluable guide."

[[Name]], a satisfied parent