Susan Stiffelman is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, credentialed teacher, learning specialist, and parenting coach with a private practice in Malibu, California. Her book, Parenting Without Power Struggles: Raising Joyful, Resilient Kids While Staying Cool, Calm and Connected is scheduled for release in October 2009, and reflects her work with children and their parents for over thirty years. 

Susan offers presentations for parents across the country. Her talks offer practical strategies for dealing with issues near and dear to every parent’s heart, including

• How to help children deal with frustration without anger or aggression

• How to get kids to cooperate without threats or bribes

• How to avoid losing your cool—beyond taking a deep breath-- when your children push your buttons

• How to handle issues like bedtime, homework, video games and chores without negotiations or power struggles

With a warm and winning style, quick humor and plenty of audience participation, parents attending Susan’s presentations describe her as delivering one of the most stimulating parent ed meetings they have ever attended.

Susan frequently offers parenting advice in publications and interviews, having recently been quoted in the Boston Globe, Parents Magazine, and the Wall Street Journal. She produces an “Ask the Therapist” columnist at grandparents.com and an AdviceMama weekly column at the AOL affiliate, ParentDish.  In addition, Susan writes an international Passionate Parentingnewsletter and online parenting blog.

With reasonable fees, a unique message and an unmistakable passion for helping parents and children, we are confident that Susan will create an unforgettable gathering for your parent community.

For booking information please email passionateparent@gmail.com or call (310) 589-7020.

Feedback from Susan Stiffelman’s Presentations

“Thank you, Susan! I never got so many accolades for a speaker! The group REALLY enjoyed the information and did not want you to leave! I even had parents that missed it asking me for your information after hearing from their friends how interesting and informative it was!  Thank you again!”
T. Neve, Parent Association President, United Nations International School, New York, New York

“Susan Stiffelman was one of the most dynamic and useful speakers our parents have hosted.  Her warm and informative style had our parents at ease in no time, and we had her come back again within a month to continue.  Her orientation really makes you think about how we relate and respond to adolescent behavior, and find ways to be positive and supportive.” 
   Patty Lancaster, Counselor, Archer School for Girls, Brentwood, CA

 “Susan is able to find ways to help all kinds of kids, especially those who are unique and may not be able to have their needs met by the system. Because of her special insights, strategies and alternatives, she’s the one I refer children to who just aren’t succeeding with conventional approaches. Having known Susan for over twenty years, I can recommend her without reservation.”    Phil Cott, Principal, Webster Elementary School, Malibu, CA

"Susan Stiffelman has a refreshing approach to parenting - one infused with humor and compassion.  Her responses and reflections offer parents important opportunities to think anew.  Parents left the workshop delighted that they had taken time to participate."  
Joan Martin, Director, Crossroads Elementary School, Santa Monica, CA

"Every parent and teacher should spend some time with Susan. She is able to impart practical solutions and guidance for the variety of behaviors that we all experience in children, enabling the teacher or parent to understand and respond in a manner highly beneficial to the situation."   Shari Latta, Director, Children’s Creative Workshop, Malibu, CA

 “Your talk was excellent: thought-provoking and challenging to the "traditional" view of treating the symptom of bad behavior versus the underlying cause.  I was truly impressed with your knowledge, as well as your skill in creating a safe atmosphere in which parents could talk openly about their concerns.  Brava!”
 Len Leatherwood, PTA Council Coordinator, Beverly Hills, CA

“Susan Stiffelman has a remarkable ability to explain the importance of being in charge while remaining connected to your child.  Her ideas are easy to implement and come from a deep understanding of the parent/child relationship.”
Josie Breger, Counselor, New Roads School, Los Angeles, CA 

______________________________________________________