Coaching for
parents co-parents couples blended families the same argument, againMost couples aren't having a new argument. They're having the same one again.
I'm Shannon Welling. I help parents, co-parents and couples find what's underneath the fight, say it clearly, and hold the boundary once it's said.
- M.A. Psychology
- Certified Professional Coach
- Anger management, DV & DBT certified
- 15+ years of experience
- Santa Clarita & online
Sound familiar
You've said one of these out loud this month
None of it means something is wrong with you. These are patterns, and patterns are learnable — which is the whole reason they can change.
"You never listen to me."
You don't need to win. You need to know it landed, so you can stop repeating yourself.
"Fine. Do whatever you want."
You've run out of ways to say it. Going quiet is a boundary that hasn't found its words yet.
"Why do I have to ask every time?"
You're tired of being the one who remembers. You want a partner, not another person to manage.
"You're doing this on purpose."
The schedule shifts again and you can't plan. Under the accusation is a request for something predictable.
"I'm not angry, I'm just tired."
You lost your patience and didn't like who you were. Repair is a skill, not a verdict on you.
"It's fine, don't worry about it."
You keep the peace now and resent it later. Saying the hard thing kindly is learnable.
Currently accepting new clients
You don't have to work this out on your own
Most people arrive having already tried everything they can think of. That is usually the point at which a second set of eyes starts to help.
Who you'd be working with
I work with people in the middle of it — the parent who doesn't like who she becomes at 6pm, the co-parents who can't get through a text exchange, the couple having the same argument on a loop.
Fifteen years of this work sits behind every session — school-based therapy with teens, substance use and domestic violence work, and coordinating outpatient care for families in crisis. My style is collaborative and direct. I ask real questions, I won't nod along while you spin, and I won't hand you a worksheet and call it progress. What we build together has to survive contact with a Tuesday night.
Coaching is future-focused and skill-based, and it isn't therapy. If what you're carrying needs clinical care, I'll say so and help you find it.
- M.A. in Psychology, Phillips Graduate Institute · B.A. in Sociology, CSUN
- Certified Professional Coach, with certifications in anger management, domestic violence and DBT
- Over 15 years of experience, training and education
- Former Clinical Outpatient Coordinator, supporting teens and parents through substance use and self-harm
- Years of school-based therapeutic work with tweens and teens
- Confidentiality and ethics first, with a solution-focused, collaborative approach
Work with me
Two ways to start
Both run 45 minutes, online or in my Santa Clarita office. You book them one at a time — there's no package to commit to.
Start here
45-Minute Consult
A first session to slow down and be heard. We look at what's bringing you in, name the pattern underneath it, and work out what kind of support would actually help.
Book a consultOnce you're ready to keep going
45-Minute Coaching Session
A full session built around clarity and change. We work through what's present now, strengthen self-trust, and land on practical steps that carry into your week.
Book a sessionNot sure which one
Tell me what's going on first
Two or three sentences is plenty. I'll say whether the consult is the right place to start, or whether something else would serve you better.
The method
Five steps to common ground
The same five moves show up in every conversation that goes well. Not a script — a way to know where you are when one starts going sideways.
01
Notice the pattern
Name the loop before you're inside it again. Most conflict is a rerun.
02
Find what's underneath
Behind every sharp sentence is a simpler request. We find it together.
03
Say it cleanly
Direct, kind, specific. No hinting, and no apologizing for having a need.
04
Hold the boundary
One you abandon under pressure teaches the opposite lesson.
05
Repair quickly
Everyone ruptures. Strong relationships just come back faster.
Reflections from clients
What people say afterward
I didn't like who I was as a mother and I wanted the anger to stop. The guidance was practical, and it gave me back my confidence.
Georgia R. · ParentingMy ex and I found her when getting along wasn't an option. We ended up co-parenting, and avoided mediation and family court entirely.
Toby L. · Co-parentingShe takes the time to really listen to what you're saying. Caring, compassionate, and the guidance is meaningful rather than generic.
Natalie S. · Individual coachingWhen we connect at heart level whatever it is will be worked out.
Marshall B. Rosenberg, Ph.D.Before you reach out
Common questions
What happens in the consult?
Is coaching the same as therapy?
Do you work with couples and co-parents?
Can we meet online?
How long are sessions, and do I have to commit?
Is it confidential?
What if I've never worked with a coach before?
Start here
Start with a conversation
Tell me what's happening in a sentence or two. If I'm not the right person for it, I'll say so and point you somewhere better.