Ashley Johnson PhD.
Co-Founder of Engaged 360 Coaching
Real experience. Research-backed insight. Practical strategies for families and businesses.
I’m Ashley Johnson, founder of Engaged 360 Coaching. I hold a Master’s degree in Human Resources Training and Development and a PhD in Social Psychology, but some of the most valuable lessons I bring to my work have come from experience outside the classroom.
I am an entrepreneur who has built and successfully sold two businesses, a researcher, a coach, and a parent with firsthand experience navigating the complexities of raising children with special needs.
Engaged 360 Coaching brings those worlds together.
Parent Coaching for Children with Special Needs
Parenting a child with special needs can require an entirely different set of tools, expectations, and strategies. Advice that works for a typically developing child may not work for a child whose brain, behaviors, communication, emotional regulation, or life experiences are different.
I specialize in helping families raising children with FASD, developmental and behavioral differences, trauma histories, and other complex needs.
My approach is trauma-informed, strengths-based, and practical. Instead of asking only, “How do we stop this behavior?”we look deeper.
What is the behavior communicating? What is happening in the environment? What skills does the child have—or not yet have? What expectations are realistic? And what can we change to help the entire family function more successfully?
Parent coaching can help families with challenging behaviors, emotional regulation, routines and transitions, communication, realistic expectations, caregiver stress, family dynamics, school and community advocacy, and creating strategies that actually work in everyday life.
There is no one-size-fits-all parenting strategy for a child with complex needs. My role is to help parents better understand the child in front of them and build a parenting approach around that child's strengths and needs.
Business & Organizational Coaching
I also know what it means to take an idea and turn it into a business.
I have created, grown, and successfully sold two businesses, and Engaged 360 Coaching represents my third entrepreneurial venture. That experience gives me a perspective that cannot come from a textbook alone.
My Master’s degree in HR Training and Development and PhD in Social Psychology complement that practical experience by providing a deeper understanding of leadership, motivation, workplace behavior, communication, organizational culture, employee development, and group dynamics.
I work with entrepreneurs, small businesses, nonprofits, and organizations in areas including:
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Strategic planning and organizational development
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Business startup and growth
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Leadership development
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Employee training and development
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Organizational structure and role clarity
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Workplace culture and communication
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Performance and accountability systems
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Business problem-solving and decision-making
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Entrepreneur coaching
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Navigating organizational change
I am also a researcher and bring those skills into my consulting work. I understand how to develop meaningful questions, conduct qualitative research, identify patterns within people's experiences, and turn those findings into practical recommendations.
Why Engaged 360?
Whether I am working with a parent or a business leader, I rarely believe the problem exists in isolation.
People operate within systems. Children exist within families, schools, and communities. Employees operate within teams and organizations. Leaders are influenced by culture, expectations, relationships, and competing demands.
That is the 360 in Engaged 360 Coaching.
We look beyond the immediate problem to understand the whole picture.
My job isn't to hand you a generic checklist and tell you what you “should” be doing. It is to listen, ask the right questions, understand what is actually happening, identify strengths and barriers, and work alongside you to develop strategies that make sense for your situation.
Education + Research + Lived Experience + Practical Strategy
You don't have to fit your family or your business into someone else's model.
Let's build an approach that fits yours.
Education & Credentials
I hold a Bachelor's degree from South Dakota State University and a Master's degree from Amberton University. In addition to finishing my final semester at Southwest Minnesota State University, I am also completing my PhD in Psychology at Walden University. My educational background has given me a solid understanding of human behavior and child development. This has enabled me to provide valuable insights and guidance to parents.
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Professional Experience
Over the past ten years, I have worked with various families, providing guidance and support to help them navigate parenting challenges. I have extensive experience in goal setting, behavior management, parent-child relationships, and stress management.
Services
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Workshops and seminars
I conduct workshops and seminars to educate parents on positive parenting strategies, discipline techniques, managing stress and anxiety, and fostering healthy relationships. These workshops are open to parents seeking general knowledge and practical tips to enhance their parenting skills.
Approach to parent coaching
Every child is unique and requires a tailored approach. My coaching sessions are non-judgmental, supportive, and focused on empowering parents to make informed decisions based on their values and beliefs. I believe in a collaborative approach, where parents are seen as the experts on their child, and my role is to facilitate their growth and success.
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As a parent coach, I strive to create a safe and supportive environment for parents to explore their parenting journey. With a passion for helping children thrive and a deep understanding of the challenges parents face, I am dedicated to empowering parents to be the best version of themselves. If you seek support and guidance in your parenting journey, I would be honored to walk alongside you as you navigate the challenges of raising children.
Approach to teen coaching
Our teen coaching will allow teens to set goals and achieve success they did not know they could. I am a teen coach myself, so I can provide some insights on how to build trust and rapport with teenage clients:
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It's essential to listen to their concerns and validate their feelings actively.
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Being open and honest with them while also maintaining confidentiality can help build trust.
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Creating a safe and inclusive environment where they feel comfortable expressing themselves and being themselves is essential.
Setting clear boundaries with teenage clients is essential because it helps them understand the expectations and limitations of the coaching relationship. It allows them to feel safe and confident that their personal information and conversations will be respected and kept confidential. Additionally, clear boundaries help establish a professional and trustworthy coach-client relationship, which is essential for effective coaching outcomes.
Some examples of specific boundaries that can be set with teenage clients include maintaining professional attire during coaching sessions, respecting each other's personal space and bodily autonomy, and establishing clear guidelines on confidentiality. Other boundaries could include limiting the discussion of personal or family issues with peers, not sharing personal information on social media, and establishing consequences for not following boundaries (such as ending the coaching relationship).
Trust is the foundation of any effective coach-client relationship, especially when working with teenagers. When teenagers trust that their coach is reliable, supportive, and empathetic, they are more likely to open up, share their thoughts, and engage in meaningful conversations. Trust also allows for establishing a safe space where teenagers can express their insecurities, fears, and challenges without fear of judgment or criticism. This fosters a sense of confidentiality and empowers teenagers to take risks and explore their options, ultimately leading to more effective coaching outcomes.
Approach to wellness coaching
As a wellness coach, I specialize in holistic well-being that focuses on physical, mental, and emotional health.
I offer guidance on nutrition and exercise, mindfulness and meditation, and stress management. I also support identifying and achieving personal goals and promoting a balanced and healthy lifestyle.
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Mindfulness practices have been shown to reduce stress, improve focus and concentration, enhance emotional well-being, and increase self-awareness. These practices also help cultivate a sense of calm and tranquility, allowing individuals to live with greater peace and fulfillment.
Mindfulness practices have been shown to improve emotional well-being by reducing anxiety and depression, increasing self-esteem and resilience, and enhancing overall mood. By cultivating awareness and acceptance of the present moment, mindfulness practices help individuals develop a greater sense of emotional intelligence, regulate their emotions more effectively, and experience a greater sense of peace and fulfillment in their lives.
Contact
I'm always looking for new and exciting opportunities. Let's connect.