Who are the Divorce Busting® Coaches?

Hi, my name is Joann Sallmann. I'm glad you're reading, "Who are the Divorce Busting® Coaches?" That tells me you are really serious about getting your marriage back on track. You probably have a lot of questions about coaching and you might even be wondering whether it's too late to save your marriage. I hope I can answer your questions and give you some hope.

Professionally, I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. I have experience and training in marriage and family therapy and alcohol and drug use problems using a solution oriented approach. I have been married 39 years and have 3 grown children.

Many of the men and women who phone me feel their marriage situations are pretty bad. Their partners have filed for divorce or are thinking about it. They may have even moved out. There may be an affair looming. Their spouses might have said that they're not in love with them anymore. Or even worse, that they never loved them in the first place.

Any one of these things is a lot for one person to handle, not to mention any combination of them. Please don't think coaching is just for people experiencing only "minor" marriage problems. No matter how tough things might be, we can help you figure out a strategy to improve the situation, turn it around and/or help you deal with it better.

An added benefit of coaching is that it can help you feel better. When you go through serious marital problems, it can take a toll on your self-esteem, your health and the quality of your day-to-day living, no matter how self-confident you used to be. We can coach you through your personal struggles as you try to get back to who you really are or to the person you have always wanted to be.

I look forward to hearing from you and helping you reach your marriage and personal goals.

As a member of the Divorce Busting Coaching Team, I am excited about working with individuals who are highly motivated to improve or rescue their marriages. My husband and I have been married for thirty-five years, and it continues to be a work-in-progress. If that ever stops being the case,then it will probably mean that one of us has, as they say...passed on!!

I used to be a runner, and I have observed many similarities between physical and relational well-being. You can't expect to run a marathon the first time you put on running shoes. If you stop running for a week or more, you lose stamina and endurance exponentially. In other words, if it took six months to be able to run five miles, it only takes a few weeks to not be able to run five miles. Does that mean it was a fluke that you were running five miles before? No, it means that when you stop working at it, you lose endurance. Well, the same is true of relationships. If you had the hottest romance on the planet when you married, but you haven't had a date in two years, you may think that you no longer love your partner, but, you are just out of practice in acting loving. I think you get the analogy.

I first became aware of Michele's Divorce Busting techniques in the early 90's, when I was a novice marriage and family counselor. How refreshing it was to hear from a professional in the field who so adamantly advocates for the value of marriage over divorce. It is indeed a privilege to now be a part of this remarkable team who walk alongside of the courageous people who are taking on one of the most difficult and lonely challenges in our society, namely saving their marriages. I have been a marriage and family counselor for many years, along with a five year stint as a junior high school counselor, and I have observed a lot of marriages close-up and personal. I can tell you that if you are discouraged and feeling hopeless about your marriage and yourself, you are certainly not alone. I applaud you for refusing to "throw in the towel" or settle for something less than mutual respect and appreciation.

I am a devout marriage advocate, who has been privileged to witness the re-birth of the marriages of many hurting people who have traversed the unpredictable path of reconciliation.

Kudos to you for your positive intentions and hard work.

Jody Stratford

"Peace in the home is one small step toward peace in the world."

Hi, I'm Dotty Decker. I love working with folks like you, who are motivated to keep your marriages and families together, and are brave enough to work on changing yourself in order to improve your relationship. Many years experience with solution oriented ideas and a true belief and passion for this work have given me great joy and energy, and a sense of accomplishment. It is a natural fit and a privilege to be available as one of Michele's Divorce Busting® Relationship Coaches. I've been a wife for over 45 years, mother of four wonderful adults, grandmother to six delightful children. And as a professional social worker, marriage and family therapist, and relationship coach, I've seen first hand how helpful these ideas can be, in both my professional and personal life. Getting married quite young myself, I needed to learn so much about how to have a true partnership with my husband. I only wish there had been this service during some early troubled years as I struggled to "grow up," listen, manage disagreements respectfully, and find solutions rather than focusing on blame. Today my husband and I are partners and best friends who treasure each other more than ever. Working with you toward that same goal is my small contribution toward "healing the world." I look forward to talking with you.

In a sea of discouragement, you've found DivorceBusting.com - an island of hope. You know that even though there are reasons to give up, you have some fight left in you. I'll stand with you in the worthy fight to save your marriage, and share my experience as a Divorce Busting® Coach. We'll talk about what works and about some common pitfalls. I'll encourage you to find the positives, affirm who you are, and help you engage your creativity as you search out solutions.

I'm Chuck Fallon, a licensed professional counselor, and I have been a Divorce Busting® Coach for several years. I have had the privilege of working with hundreds of people who have had great courage and determination. They have taken a hard look at themselves, reached deep and dared to be more - more authentic, more engaged, more alive. Using Divorce Busting® strategies, many were able to make a compelling case for their marriage that lead to reconciliation.

I met Michele at an Advanced Divorce Busting® training several years ago, and found her approach so practical and focused. It complemented my graduate degree from Colorado Christian University, and fueled my passion to help courageous people like you save your marriage.

My wife and I have been married for over 20 years and together have raised three great sons. We use the same skill-based principles to build a healthy marriage that I encourage you to try.

If you're looking for insights & encouragement, let's talk!

I want you to have something that I've got-a great marriage that is strong enough to guard the hearts of your children. My own 26-year marriage provided the foundation that made it possible for me to complete an M.A. in counseling from Denver Seminary in mid-life and to launch my work with couples. I took elective courses in solution-focused counseling, because I love seeing the creativity that can be released when people focus on goals rather than problems. I also recognize that people seeking help hurt terribly, but they can continue to work through the pain if they have hope. That's "Divorce-Busting's" best gift-hope based in small, but significant, successes; rather than despair linked to re-hashing an unchangeable past.

My passion is to help create healthy marriages. This is reflected in my work in premarital counseling, marriage enrichment programs, marriage mentor training and couples coaching. I have attended many training institutes and workshops, including two of Michele's 5-day intensive training seminars in Breckenridge, CO.

But enough about me-let's talk about you. You've read this much because you're thinking about talking to a telephone consultant to help your relationship. That says so much about your courage, commitment, creativity, and love. Obviously, you're invested in the future of your marriage or relationship. You want this to work-so do I. I'll join you on this journey of hope.

It is my dream that all who choose marriage enjoy their relationship to the fullest. I am honored to be part of a team of unapologetic marriage advocates. In a world in which much is disposable, it is refreshing to find Michele and Divorce Busting and a solution-focused technique that is based firmly in the belief that marriage matters. This practical, action-oriented approach to real life relationships is one that I know you will find refreshing and effective.

For almost a decade I have been working in a number of different capacities, but all with the same goal. Whether teaching teens about their dating choices and life goals, coaching engaged couples in premarital communication and problem solving skills, holding weekly workshops for married couples who have hit a bump in the road, speaking and writing for a large group of young mothers in a stressful time in their marriage, or coaching individual couples who have hit a crisis, my aim is always to strengthen and heal the marriage itself. The marriage is my client, not the individuals themselves. By focusing on the relationship, neither partner needs to worry that I’m “on the other person’s side” because I am clear about my bias for healthy marriage.

In every marriage there are times of trouble, disconnection and sometimes despair. In the end, it is our struggle through these difficulties that brings a richness and depth to our relationship that many can only envy. Soul-mates (if there is such a thing) are not born, but rather forged through trial. Your relationship is worth the effort, because what is waiting for you on the other side is what most of us are looking for…very simply, to love and be loved.

I love working with individuals and couples strengthening relationships, however my greatest and most satisfying accomplishment is my 24 year marriage and our three incredible children. Through the years, our marriage has taken on many different shapes. We have had to reinvent, readjust, and recreate our marriage numerous times and it was by no means easy. However, the joy of looking back over the life that we have created together is incredibly rewarding. I want this for you. It is my goal to assist you in the preservation and renewal of your relationship.

My name is Leni Quarnberg.  I received a Masters degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Brigham Young University in 1984. I am a Marriage and Family Therapist and a clinical member of AAMFT. I have years of experience both as a therapist and a professor. I am also bilingual in English and Spanish.

I have been married for 28 years and we have been blessed with two children. Our family has not been immune to life’s crucibles, but because of them we are stronger. The bonds that hold our family together are commitment and love. I believe that marriage is sacred and it is the firm foundation upon which families are built. Families in turn are the pillars that hold society together.

No relationship comes with a guarantee of immunity to heartaches and problems.  We live in a disposable society, and unfortunately, this concept has extended to the institution of marriage. Michele’s solution-based approach gives hope to those of you who are committed to saving your marriage. The great majority of marital problems are solvable—people can and do change. And, the most influential person to bring about change in your relationship is you. Within each of us is the strength and resources to solve our personal problems.

Through Michele’s books and her seminars, I learned first hand of her passion and commitment to saving marriages.  I am thrilled and honored to be a Divorce Busting Coach.  I will help you find clarity in your situation and offer suggestions using Divorce Busting marriage saving strategies.  Together we will come up with an action plan that maximizes on your strengths and values.

I received a Masters degree in counseling at South Dakota State University in 1996. When I first attended Michele's Advanced Divorce Busting® training a few years ago, her message that anyone can make powerful personal and relationship changes using solution-oriented, Divorce Busting® strategies clearly resonated with me. This approach has been the main basis of my work ever since. I have now been working as a Divorce Busting® Relationship Coach for over four years and after countless success stories, I am even more convinced than ever that Divorce Busting® works!

As a Divorce Busting® Relationship Coach, my job is to show you how you can create positive change. I help you clarify your individual and relationship goals, brainstorm creative actions -steps you can take to achieve those goals, and encourage you as you move toward solutions, fine-tuning your steps along the way.

People I work with tell me they appreciate developing clear, short-term goals because it keeps them focused. They also find it very helpful to learn what to do and not to do in order to be successful reaching their goals. They value getting objective guidance from someone who carries no emotional loyalties and who has experience working with couples in crisis. Some simply appreciate the support they get, as they may not have anyone else who believes in their cause to fight for their marriage.

I have experienced 23 years of a great marriage and have three amazing children. During these years, I've learned what works and what doesn't in my own relationship. That has not always been easy to figure out, however. There have been times when my husband and I have really taken each other for granted and have felt quite distant. That's when I geared up the solution-oriented process in our own marriage, and it has kept us on track and enriched our lives. The reality is we all have relationship ups and downs from time to time. That's real life. In my counseling practice and mentoring involvement with couples, I've seen relationships characterized by feelings of intense warmth and passion all the way to extreme pain and anger. I've learned that most couples - no matter where their relationship falls on this continuum - strongly desire a good marriage and want to make their relationship better.