Who We Are
Supporting Parents, Nurturing Families
Melissa Benaroya and Sarina Behar Natkin share a passion for providing parents with the tools needed to raise healthy, confident children. Both Sarina and Melissa have Masters in Social Work (MSWs) and are licensed therapists in the State of Washington (LICSW). They have over 30 years of combined experience working with children and families.
Personal Experience, Professional Background
Melissa Benaroya MSW, LICSW, Certified Gottman Educator is a licensed clinical social worker with an emphasis in children and family services. She is the co-founder of Mommy Matters Seattle, a workshop series for mothers of toddlers and preschoolers seeking support from peers and professional advice. Melissa is also the founder of Green Lake Moms, a 2000+ member web group dedicated to sharing resources, offering support, and making connections for local area moms. Additionally, Melissa provides consulting services to organizations interested in reaching out to the young mother demographic, parent education to the families at the Madison Park Cooperative Preschool, and training programs for the PEPS organization. Melissa has a Masters degree in Social Work, is a Credentialed School Counselor and is trained in Positive Discipline. She is also a Certified Gottman Educator offering the Bringing Baby Home Program for families with young children and workshops on Emotion Coaching. Melissa practices as a parenting consultant to groups, and individuals by blending her clinical training with her knowledge of child development and discipline. Her book, The Childproof Parent, was released in December 2011 and can be purchased on Amazon.com. Melissa lives in Seattle with her husband Russell and two children, Maya and Shane. Melissa keeps her sanity with an active lifestyle of running and Crossfit!
Contact Melissa at melissa@growparenting.com
Sarina Behar Natkin, LICSW, is a parent educator and consultant in the Seattle area. She began her career in social services over 15 years ago working in the field of domestic violence. After having her first child, she directed her passion towards assisting parents in creating healthy families from the start. Sarina holds a Bachelors of Science in Psychology and completed her Masters degree in Social Work at the University of Washington. She is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker, as well as a Certified Gottman Educator and Certified Positive Discipline Trainer. Sarina provides individual support and consultation to parents and families from pregnancy through adolescence. She teaches Bringing Baby Home and Positive Discipline courses, and regularly speaks to schools and groups on a variety of parenting topics. Sarina is a parent educator at Madison Park Cooperative Preschool, providing education and support to parents and children in early childhood. In addition, Sarina provides services to a variety of local organizations, including Jewish Family Service of Seattle and PEPS- Program for Early Parent Support. Her past experiences includes program development and implementation, case management, and individual and family therapy. Sarina is a Seattle native and resides in the city with her husband and two daughters.
Contact Sarina at sarina@growparenting.com
Contact Melissa at melissa@growparenting.com
Sarina Behar Natkin, LICSW, is a parent educator and consultant in the Seattle area. She began her career in social services over 15 years ago working in the field of domestic violence. After having her first child, she directed her passion towards assisting parents in creating healthy families from the start. Sarina holds a Bachelors of Science in Psychology and completed her Masters degree in Social Work at the University of Washington. She is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker, as well as a Certified Gottman Educator and Certified Positive Discipline Trainer. Sarina provides individual support and consultation to parents and families from pregnancy through adolescence. She teaches Bringing Baby Home and Positive Discipline courses, and regularly speaks to schools and groups on a variety of parenting topics. Sarina is a parent educator at Madison Park Cooperative Preschool, providing education and support to parents and children in early childhood. In addition, Sarina provides services to a variety of local organizations, including Jewish Family Service of Seattle and PEPS- Program for Early Parent Support. Her past experiences includes program development and implementation, case management, and individual and family therapy. Sarina is a Seattle native and resides in the city with her husband and two daughters.
Contact Sarina at sarina@growparenting.com
Awards
2012 Red Tricycle Totally Awesome Award, Best Parent Education Program
2012 Parent Map Golden Teddy Award- Finalist, Best Parent Support Program
2012 Parent Map Golden Teddy Award- Finalist, Best Parent Support Program
Our Clients Include:
Giddens School ⋅ Jewish Family Service of Seattle ⋅ Kirkland Cooperative Preschools ⋅ Madison Park Cooperative Preschool ⋅ Magnolia Cooperative Preschool ⋅ McGilvra Elementary School ⋅ Microsoft ⋅ Mothers of Multiples ⋅ North Seattle Central Community College ⋅ ParentMap ⋅ Program for Early Parenting Support - PEPS ⋅ Saint Catherine School ⋅ Seattle Central Community College ⋅ Starbucks Coffee Company ⋅ The Annual Women’s Leadership Conference ⋅ The Entrepreneurs Organization (EO Seattle) ⋅ The Kavana Cooperative ⋅ The Woodinville Toddlers Group ⋅ Villa Academy ⋅ West Seattle Preschool Association
Giddens School ⋅ Jewish Family Service of Seattle ⋅ Kirkland Cooperative Preschools ⋅ Madison Park Cooperative Preschool ⋅ Magnolia Cooperative Preschool ⋅ McGilvra Elementary School ⋅ Microsoft ⋅ Mothers of Multiples ⋅ North Seattle Central Community College ⋅ ParentMap ⋅ Program for Early Parenting Support - PEPS ⋅ Saint Catherine School ⋅ Seattle Central Community College ⋅ Starbucks Coffee Company ⋅ The Annual Women’s Leadership Conference ⋅ The Entrepreneurs Organization (EO Seattle) ⋅ The Kavana Cooperative ⋅ The Woodinville Toddlers Group ⋅ Villa Academy ⋅ West Seattle Preschool Association
Praise for Grow Parenting
“Sarina led our group and was fantastic. Sarina was fluent in all exercises and topics. Her expertise allowed the group to participate at it's own pace while she served as a gatekeeper when the time was right.”
- Kipp, Seattle, WA
- Kipp, Seattle, WA
"It was great to hear that we should be first in the list! Extremely helpful workshop. Am practicing now, with Melissa's great ideas in mind. My household already feels different"
- Sophie, NSCC Preschool Parent, Seattle, WA
- Sophie, NSCC Preschool Parent, Seattle, WA
"I had the opportunity to participate in a PEPS Facilitator Training program led by both Melissa and Sarina. I was initially struck by the very natural and easy rapport that they shared with one another. As the session progressed, however, I found myself truly impressed by their depth-of-knowledge, ability to facilitate group meetings and most importantly, their ability to make participants feel comfortable and at ease. I left feeling excited and truly prepared to lead my first PEPS group and felt that I had two reliable and knowledgeable resources to turn to if needed."
-Cindy, Seattle, WA
-Cindy, Seattle, WA
