ENSURING YOUR FAMILy'S WELL-BEING THROUGH THERAPEUTIC PARENTING
show me another way
When you became a parent, you expected to be full of love. You were never prepared for being so full of frustration.
You had dreams and visions of unconditional love, laughter, play, and beautiful memories. No one could have prepared you for the exhaustion, overwhelm, frustration and even despair. You feel like your ability to enjoy and connect with your child is often overshadowed by your feelings of anger and frustration and you're not sure what to do about it.
There's good news:
It doesn't have to stay this way & you're no longer alone.
you didn't expect it to be this hard.
I offer practical solutions to your most challenging parenting concerns.
You can allow them to feel angry without letting them hit others.
You can allow them to feel frustrated without letting them throw things.
You can allow them to feel sad without giving them want they wanted to appease them.
Allowing your child to fully express themselves does NOT mean you are a permissive parent. Contrary to popular belief, it does not mean you are encouraging “bad behavior”. Our children can and should be able to express anger, frustration, disappointment and sadness without shame and with our support. Children are more willing to cooperate when they feel safe and connected.
I want every parent to know that your feelings of frustration, confusion and overwhelm are completely normal. I know how hard you are working and that you want the very best for your child. You are a good parent, navigating HARD stuff. Contrary to popular belief, you child is truly made of goodness, even when their behaviors are screaming otherwise. They are asking for help in the only way they know how.
explore parenting packages
Building an intentional toolkit of practical and easily implementable strategies for addressing challenging behaviors, big emotions, and disconnection.
build
Learning effective and compassionate strategies for responding to behavior in ways that help your child feel more connected.
respond
Understanding the emotions driving your child’s behavior and what they’re really trying to tell you.
understand
Freeing parents from their own emotional burden by giving them space to be heard in the truth of their experience.
unpack
we walk hand in hand to unpack your triggers, understand emotional drivers, build your toolkit, and implement new strategies.
The Lighten Up philosophy is designed to support YOU and the important work you are doing as a parent (think your oxygen mask first)! This helps you see your child's behavior through a different lens; learning effective tools that help guide, repair and inspire long lasting connection, while deepening trust and safety for your child.
Prior to working with Amy, I felt like a terrible mom. I was not enjoying being around my kids at all. I dreaded the weekends and after school cuz it was so hard. My kids fought all the time! Working with Amy helped shift my perspective and I never once felt judged by her. She was so supportive. She truly understood what we were going through! Amy helped me see what my kids were needing and how to supportive them individually and as a group. Now when I hear them arguing, I no longer panic. I'm actually able to help and not get mad! And they are so much kinder to each other now. Amy brought our family back together!
cassidy, mom of 4, santa cruz
Working with Amy was a game changer! She literally “cured” my daughter’s daily tantrums! My daughter used to get set off so easily and I had no more patience for it and didn’t know what to do, other than threats & bribes. I thought she was just being a brat and trying to manipulate us. Amy taught us to recognize signs that were leading up to a tantrum and helped us learn how to connect with her in different ways. I finally have my confidence back in being a mom to a highly sensitive child. My daughter and I are closer than we’ve ever been and I’m forever grateful for Amy’s guidance, expertise and her care.
stephanie, mom of 9 yr old daughter, santa cruz
Amy is simply a life saver! Every single time I feel overwhelmed and defeated by parenthood, and I reach out to her, she’s got me smiling within minutes of sharing her perspective(s). I go from hopeless to actually excited to implement the tools she provides. They are simple and effective. A whole new approach — one that really feels right and works! She has (and continues) to completely uplift and guide me through motherhood, positively impacting our whole family on every level. I could not recommend Amy more.
darcy, mom of 2, santa cruz
Our 7 year old son was getting progressively more aggressive with his younger sibling. My husband & I were not handling it well and the aggression was getting worse. Working with Amy, we learned what was driving his behavior and we finally got a handle on our own reactions. Amy was our lifeline during this time! Our son is so much calmer and rarely aggressive. The best part is that we feel confident in how to help him and bring him back into his sweet nature. Our home is peaceful again! We are so grateful for our time with Amy! She’s always our go-to parent support mentor!
katie, mom of 2 boys, santa cruz
Whenever I'm lost & confused with parenting, I call Amy. She's like our families 911 emergency support. For all issues! I don't know what we'd do without her.
scott, father of 3, sebastopol, ca
why therapeutic parenting?
Parents have a profound impact on the health of our children and the health of society. Even under the best conditions, parenting is difficult and overwhelming. Parents today are facing stressors that can be severe and prolonged and can have harmful effects on their mental health, which in turn also affect the well-being of the children we are raising.
I offer a therapeutic approach to parenting that considers parent, child and individual family systems. Lighten Up Parenting supports the parent first to develop a deep understanding of what lies beneath their child's behaviors and what those behaviors are desperately trying to convey. It further inspires the parent to become aware of and ultimately understand their own triggers and how they can cause confusion into how they are interpreting their child's behavior. It arms the parent with a diverse skillset to not only support their child in reaching their optimal potential but also raises awareness on the value and necessity of having support for themselves. This is an evidence based model backed by brain science that promotes best possible outcomes for all.
You've landed in a space that knows intimately how hard you are working and how unappreciated you feel. It doesn't have to continue to be this hard and you certainly don't have to figure it out alone. You've come to the right space and there is light – so much light – at the end of this dark tunnel.
In an effort to address the behaviors of your child, you’re realizing that what actually lies underneath it all is you needing support as the parent.
mother's listening support group
group classes
therapeutic parenting programs
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now
a private 90 minute session to unpack your top challenge...
mother's listening support group
group classes
single session
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now
6 and 12 week programs to dive deeper...
mother's listening support group
therapeutic parenting programs
single session
book
now
a 10 week group class with a minimum of 6 parents...
group classes
therapeutic parenting programs
single session
book
now
a monthly meetup for mother's to be compassionately heard...
Meet Amy
Amy Sheely is a mother to 3 kids (current ages 11, 13 & 15) and a therapeutic parenting coach who has been liberating parents from the weight of misunderstood behaviors, self-induced shame, and disregulation for over 10 years.
