Work With Me
I help parents find peace in parenting using the science of behaviour and mindfulness.
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Helping your child manage their emotions requires you to learn to manage yours first.
By learning tools to balance all areas in your life and teaching you strategies to lead a values-driven life, I help you connect with your children, increase cooperation, and bring joy to parenting.
Being a parent is arguably one of the most difficult tasks you will face in life. The role is utterly selfless and unrelenting by nature. Long days and sleepless nights seem never-ending. The pressure to be THE BEST parent is ever-present. People offer unsolicited advice that you feel pressure to follow, yet often it just does not feel right to you.
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What if you could learn strategies to identify what your core values are, overcome the barriers in the way, and begin living a meaningful life that is full of satisfaction? It won't make parenting easy, but there is a way to navigate the parenting path with joy, contentment and gratitude.
Together we will:
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Get authentic with your personal and family values
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Identify barriers to pursuing what is most important to you
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Recognize the behaviours that prevent movement towards what matters
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Create a step by step plan for moving to a more fulfilling life
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Learn strategies to help in your parenting journey
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Create a positive behaviour plan to support your child's emotional well-being and bring about improvement in behaviour and cooperation
Melissa's Coaching Framework
My core coaching framework is comprised of two components: bringing awareness to beliefs and behaviours through Behaviour Analysis and Acceptance and Commitment Training (ACT) methods, teaching strategies to implement with your children to bring about lasting positive changes. By providing my clients with an understanding of the science of behaviour and the strategies for supporting long-term behaviour change, they take this knowledge in their ongoing pursuit for life following a values-driven path.
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Acceptance and Commitment Training (ACT)
The overriding purpose of ACT is to work towards psychological flexibility - which "is the ability to feel and think with openness, to attend voluntarily to your experience of the present moment, and to move your life in directions that are important to you, building habits that allow you to live life in accordance with your values and aspirations."*
Using my background and training in the science of behaviour and ACT methods, I guide clients on a transformational journey giving them the tools to follow a values-driven life. My coaching embodies three main components of ACT:
1) Do what matters within your values and take action;
2) Open up through acceptance and defusion strategies, and
3) Bring awareness to the present moment
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*Hayes, S. (2019). A Liberated Mind. Van Haren Publishing.
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Testimonials
My experience with Melissa has been the absolute best, she has a lot of experience and her willingness and kind heart make it really easy to work with, she can listen take the parents input then offer her suggestions of what she knows that might be of help because everyone is different every child is different. In my case, she always listened to my concerns first and we moved forward as a team helping my children and meeting their individual needs. I saw great progress in my children, where people thought there was not much to do with her help we proved them wrong. I wish there were more people like Melissa willing to help and putting her heart into it like she has done. I have nothing but gratitude for her.
MH
Melissa Booth-Simonsen is probably one of the best BCBAs that ever worked for my company, Tucci Learning Solutions. Everyone (e.g., Team Members, Parents, Educators, and Administrators) loved working with her and respected her.
Vicci Tucci, BCBA and owner Tucci Learning Solutions
Melissa Booth-Simonsen, owner of Positive Strategies, is one of the most fabulous kid strategists I have ever met. I have watched her interactions with children and am amazed with the outcome; the confidence, self-awareness, desire to succeed, and their relationships with society around them. Even her own child is amazing! Give her a call and talk with her and the success waiting for your kiddo!
Kim S.
[Melissa is] the best behaviour analyst I've ever worked with! I love [her] positive way of helping children understand their feelings. [She] is also so supportive of all the emotional stuff that comes with being a special needs parent.
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Kelli
All parents hope and dream for nothing but the best for their children. This
certainly does not fall to the wayside when you discover your child has special needs. At age 3, my son was diagnosed with ASD. Although heartbreaking to discover our child has these challenges, we quickly understood that time is of the essence in getting into the appropriate therapies with the right group of people. Our family had the pleasure of working with Melissa for over 7 years. Her work changed our son's life. She is an active problem solver, flexible, creative and has a strong intuitive sense. Our son and family were extremely blessed by her hard work and dedication. I sincerely couldn't be more grateful for the level of support and quality mentorship I received from Melissa. Simply put, she is the best at what
she does, the very best.
Amy
I have had the pleasure to work with Melissa for many years. She supervised and helped me maintain my RBT credential. She has also been a wonderful resource and mentor as my work shifted toward a parent training capacity. Not only has Melissa been a great resource in my career development, but in my personal growth as well.
During our initial session, Melissa helped me align my behaviors and tendencies towards what is important to me. I am looking forward to working with Melissa as she helps me build meaningful relationships in life. I am so grateful for her, and I know you will be too.
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Grecia Magaña
At the end of our journey, imagine
Feeling confident in your parenting decisions
Developing and maintaining a close relationship with your children and other important people in your life
Clarity with aligning your values with your daily life
Creating clear boundaries that you can keep and feel good about
Finding time for self-care without the guilt
Going to bed knowing that you did your best for your children
An overwhelming feeling of satisfaction and gratitude for life
Acceptance for all that you are - the good and the shortcomings
Online Sessions
Sessions are conveniently scheduled online via zoom video calls so that you can join from home, office, or wherever is convenient for you. This also means that geographical location is not a barrier. You can join me from anywhere in the world. I will be your partner and guide, helping you discover what is important to you, overcome the barriers to getting there, achieve your goals, and live your best life. I aim to make you feel heard and validated while giving you strategies and an action plan to maximize your satisfaction.
What to expect
Scheduled sessions are held via video zoom call lasting approximately 45-60 minutes. Calls can be recorded for your review later. After each session, I will send you a session summary, including action steps for meeting your goal.
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Between sessions, we can contact using an app called Voxer that allows us to send voice and text messages as needed. Use it to ask questions, check in, report on wins or get support and feedback between sessions.
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Throughout, I will give you exercises, activities, and worksheets to help you gain clarity throughout the journey together. Homework is not required, of course. However, to get the most out of your investment, I highly recommend doing as much as possible. I know it is tough to squeeze in more now, but you will gain so much that it will be worth it in the long run.
"You can live a life you value, beginning right now, but to do that you will have to learn how to get OUT of your mind and INTO your life"
- Steven Hayes
Your Investment
Are you ready to create your life from love and abundance rather than fear and scarcity?
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* Payment plans available * Payment in USD available *
If you do not see a time listed that works for you, please reach out to see how we can connect.
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FAQ
What if I need you in between sessions?
We can use voice messages or text messages through an app called Voxer to check-in between sessions throughout the week. I will generally reply within a few hours. In some cases, we may utilise a platform to upload short videos for my review and feedback on specific parenting strategies.
What are your qualifications?
I have a Master's degree from the University of North Texas in Behaviour Analysis, and I have been a Board Certified Behaviour Analyst (BCBA) for over 16 years. I've had training in working with parents and caregivers with children of all types of needs and behavioural challenges. Additionally, I am a member of the UK Society of Behaviour Analysis. I have been studying and applying the principles of Acceptance and Commitment Training over the last 4 years including taking over 120 CEUs.
Do I need to be a special needs parent?
Absolutely not! You don't need to be a special needs parent to have challenges or struggles with parenting. However, special needs parents are welcome here.
What if I am a parent of a child with special needs?
Let's talk! I can help you to on this path, plus I have training and expertise in working with children of all types of needs.
Do you guarantee results?
Unfortunately, I cannot guarantee results. I can, however, tell you that I will work as hard as I can to help you learn skills to improve your life, manage your children's behaviour, and find a path towards what matters most to you. You will get the most out of this program by consistently attending sessions, following through with assignments, and practising the skills taught.
What if we are not a good fit?
Sometimes this happens. During the free clarity call, we will both get to know one another to get an idea of whether we are a good fit. If not, that's okay. I will help you get to the person that can help you.
Ready to book?
Complete the coaching application.
Have more questions?
Let's talk more during a free clarity call.
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