Hi! I’m Kristen. I help parents explore and embrace a different relationship paradigm with their kids and one another, one that’s focused on collaboration, compassion, and mutual respect. My background is in conflict resolution and interpersonal communication, and my life’s work is helping people see one another’s humanity with compassion and respect.
I have been working with families as a coach and consultant since 2015. In that time, my family also founded and operated a ground-breaking, mixed-age hybrid school called IfSpace, centered on student-directed and project-based learning. After serving over 400 homeschoolers from 3-17 in academic, enrichment, and summer camp programs, IfSpace suffered damage from hurricane Irma and was forced to close. Since that time, I’ve been sharing my passion for helping families succeed with our new community here in the greater Washington, DC area and with consulting and coaching clients worldwide.
I hold a Master’s degree in Conflict Analysis and Resolution from the Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution at George Mason University in Arlington, Virginia. I study interpersonal communication and conflict, compassion, empathy, intra-family restorative justice practices, and narrative interventions. Most recently, I completed training to become a certified Fair Play facilitator so I can better help couples negotiate the minefield of interpersonal communication around household labor. I’m interested in developing and implementing technology and neuroscience-based solutions that help people understand one another better and make better decisions in groups, both for the good of society and the survival of the planet.
I live with my husband and six kids in Northern Virginia. In my parenting, I have experience with neurodiversity, giftedness, parenting children with profound disability, parenting through critical illness and treatment, homeschooling, and large family dynamics. I draw on my professional, academic, and personal experience in my work with clients.
I love to help families, couples, and educators analyze and solve complex problems. I am a happy warrior for mindful, evolved parenting and alternative education at every opportunity. I hope that you find something here that enhances your relationship with your kids. After all – the relationship is the thing.