Meet Carolyn
Certified Parent Coach
When my outgoing, social teenage son began his freshman year of high school, I expected the usual growing pains. What I didn’t expect was how quickly he would change. Within weeks, the child I knew—sweet, connected, and high-achieving—began to disappear.
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He stopped spending time with friends and withdrew from activities he once loved. He spent most of his time alone in his bedroom, playing video games, speaking less and less until it felt like he was slipping away entirely.
Like any parent, I sought help. We visited doctors and specialists, hoping for answers. Instead, we were met with confusion, dismissal, and frustration. A psychiatrist prescribed antidepressants and told my son to “man up.” I was angry, afraid, and heartbroken. I knew something was deeply wrong, yet the professionals I trusted couldn’t help us find a way forward.
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I also learned how quickly struggling adolescents and young adults—and their parents—are judged. Shutting down is often labeled as laziness or defiance, and parenting is quietly blamed. But the truth was much simpler and far more painful: my son was suffering from debilitating anxiety and depression. No amount of discipline or pressure could change that. What he needed was the right support—and so did we as a family.
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Desperate to help my son heal, I made the incredibly difficult decision to send him to a treatment program specializing in severe anxiety and depression. It was one of the hardest choices I’ve ever made.
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Two years later, when anxiety and depression brought my younger daughter to a standstill, I believed I knew exactly what to do. With confidence born from experience, I chose a short-term program, trusting I could support her when she returned home. I was wrong. I learned—again—that healing is not a quick fix and that parents need guidance just as much as their children do.
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That realization changed the course of my life. Driven by a deep desire to help my own children—and other parents walking this same path—I left my 20-year career as Director of Conflict Management for the University System of Georgia to become a Certified Parenting Coach.​
The years I’ve spent supporting parents navigating their adolescents and young adult’s anxiety and depression have been some of the most meaningful of my life. I’ve learned that anxiety and depression don’t simply “go away.” But I’ve also learned that one of the most powerful things we can offer our children is understanding, connection, and a calm, supportive presence at home.
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This work isn’t easy—but connection is something we can practice every day. And practice truly does build connection.
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If my story resonates with you, I invite you to reach out and schedule a free call. I would be honored to talk with you and support you on your journey.