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Growing Up Today Is Harder - So Is Parenting

The world is more complex and faster paced than the one most of us grew up in. Learning to figure out who you are and how you fit into the world as a developing young person is overwhelming. This makes the job of parenting much more challenging. The realities of today call us to be curious and empathetic while still holding the boundaries that matter.

Who I Can Help and My “Why?”

I am called to do this work not because I am a perfect parent but because I have first-hand experience parenting teens through very difficult times, including severe mental health crisis. My mission is to be the person I needed during some of our darkest moments as a family. I am a PCI Certified Parent Coach® and a licensed teacher. I combine my experiences as an educator and as a parent to help develop programs to support, coach, and educate parents, especially those struggling in their relationship with “tweens,” teens and young adults.

Many of my clients are parents of adolescents through young adults who are trapped in power struggles and the relationship is deteriorating. Some of the parents I work with have a teen or young adult who is stuck and perhaps engaging in unhealthy and risky behavior. Coaching is very different from therapy and not meant to take the place of mental health services. However, for many of my clients, parent coaching can be an important part of moving the family towards better functioning in conjunction with therapy.

Struggles that parents sometimes seek parent coaching with me for include:

  • Self-Care While Parenting
  • Power Struggles
  • Stuck Communication Patterns
  • Low Self-esteem
  • Repairing the Parent/Child Relationship
  • Experimenting with Drugs and Alcohol
  • School Refusal
  • Depression Anxiety
  • Screen Issues
  • Self-harm
  • Suicidal Ideation

What We Can Work on Together

I help parents move from reactive parenting to intentional parenting. Together, we create strategies, tools, and resources for raising resilient children for today’s world while still taking care of yourself. We work on the following principles and how to apply them to your unique family circumstances:

  • Perspective taking/becoming students of your child’s world
  • Improving communication
  • Building connection and repairing relationships
  • Parenting for resilience
  • Holding life-giving boundaries

Visit my website to learn more and to schedule a free 15-minute consultation. You are not alone.

What Parents Say After Coaching With Me

“When my friend suggested I find a parent coach, I was a little skeptical about the value of such a service, but I was in an extremely difficult situation with one of my four children and was desperate for help and support. Finding and working with Vashti Summervill (Family Healing Pathways) was the best decision for me as a mom and person. Vashti has provided me with coaching and moral support, suggestions on repairing my relationships with all my children, and resources to help me as a parent. Vashti has gone the extra mile to know me and our family dynamics and find available services for my child and family. I would highly recommend any parent or family member to work with Vashti for support in parenting and family issues, as well as taking care of yourself as a parent.”
Elaine K.
Seattle, Washington
“Vashti Summervill was referred to my husband and I this fall for parent coaching and as a guide to help us help our daughter during a challenging time of mental health challenges. For years past we have attended DBT training with our daughter and she has been supported through counseling for many years, however as parents we have been on our own. Vashti’s professionalism, empathy, and support has been a gift to our family. Her sound advice and problem solving skills during times of crisis as well as periods of growth have given immeasurable support to all of us. Vashti’s ability to look at the many sides of an issue and understanding of going deeper in the thought process has guided us through some very difficult times. She has helped us gain the right perspective and the strength to handle what is at hand. Vashti has shown us how to adjust our mindset to help bring our family closer and communicate in the best way possible, and she has helped us see that light at the end of the tunnel.

Vashti’s manner is warm and thoughtful, always allowing the narrative to be seen from all sides. I wish we had met her years ago and am grateful for her caring and compassionate professionalism. ”
Lisa C.
Seattle, Washington
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