Jenny Ward — Divorce & Separation Support in San Mateo, CA

About Jenny

Jenny Ward is a divorce coach, co-parenting consultant, and mindfulness educator based in the San Francisco Bay Area. With 28 years as a K-12 educator and over two decades teaching family yoga and mindfulness, she brings a deeply child-centered perspective to helping parents survive — and eventually thrive through — separation and high-conflict divorce.

Jenny works with parents before, during, and after divorce: drafting parenting plans, preparing clients for custody evaluations and depositions, navigating court communication, and helping families reduce conflict so kids don't get caught in the crossfire. She's a certified co-parenting specialist, trained mediator, and court-appointed Parent Coordinator and Special Master in Santa Clara County.

Her practice is trauma-informed, drawing on somatic-based interventions, CBT, DBT, EFT tapping, and mindfulness to support the emotional recovery of both parents and children — including those healing from narcissistic abuse and CPTSD. She also works directly with kids through play-based coaching, helping children ages 3–17 process big emotions and build resilience during family transitions.

Clients consistently describe Jenny as warm, direct, and grounding — someone who cuts through the noise of a chaotic divorce and keeps everyone focused on what matters most: the kids.

Background & Training

Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT) / Family, Child, Vinyasa, Restorative, Pre and Post Natal

Certified Co-Parenting Specialist (CoPS) / Certified

Mediator — Evaluative and Facilitative Mediation / 40-hour training

Parenting Coordinator, Association of Family and Conciliation Courts (AFCC) / 40-hour training

Mediating for Family Systems / 20-hour training

NefTI Tapping Training (EFT) / 20-hour training

Narcissistic Abuse Clinician Training / Certified

Hakomi Coaching: Mindfulness and Coaching / Training

Domestic Violence Institute: Family Court Update / Annual

Trauma Treatment: Somatic Based Interventions / Training

BFA — Psychology, Education, Dance / New York University / SUNY New Paltz

Offerings

Co-Parenting / Parallel Parenting Support

Varies / Virtual

Sessions creating co-parenting agreements and parallel parenting plans, working with the court to support parents in divorce and high-conflict divorce. Child-centered and tailored to each family's specific situation.

$175

Divorce Coach & Consulting

Varies / In person & virtual

Guidance through the full divorce process — communication strategy, court preparation (depositions, custody evaluations, GAL interviews), and navigating high-conflict cases. Includes trauma-informed support and healing resources.

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Child Advocate & Coach in Divorce

Varies / In person & virtual

Play-based coaching and emotional support for children ages 3–17 navigating family separation. Helps kids process difficult emotions, build coping tools, and maintain a sense of stability during and after divorce.

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Child-Centered Mediation

Varies / In person & virtual

Mediation services focused on keeping children's best interests at the forefront of parenting agreements. Specializes in high-conflict evaluative and facilitative mediation.

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Parent Coordinator and Special Master

Varies / In person & virtual

Court-ordered parent coordination for high-conflict cases in Santa Clara County. Helps parents resolve disputes outside of court and implement parenting plans.

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Yoga and Mindfulness Coaching

Varies / In person & virtual

Family, child, and individual yoga sessions along with mindfulness education through Jenny's Peace and Play program for ages 3–13. Teaches tools for stress reduction, emotional regulation, and joyful presence.

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Parenting Coaching

Varies / In person & virtual

Individual parent coaching to build confidence, set boundaries, improve communication with children, and navigate the challenges of modern parenting — including blended families.

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I Can Help If You're Navigating

Divorce & Co-Parenting

Family Dynamics & Boundaries

Communication & Conflict

Narcissistic Abuse Recovery

PTSD & Complex Trauma

Anger & Emotional Regulation

Anxiety & Overwhelm

Heartbreak & Breakups

Grief & Loss

Childhood Trauma

Stress Management

Post-Divorce Rebuilding

Becoming a Parent

Feeling Stuck or Lost

Self-Worth & Confidence

What Clients Say

★★★★★

"I highly recommend Jenny for parents seeking help navigating co-parenting, or individual support post-separation. Jenny helped with co-parent counseling between my ex and I. We had been through several counselors and frequently in and out of court over a three-year period prior to working with her. I knew from my initial conversation with her that she would be able to understand our situation, particularly the Domestic Violence issues, and address them with compassion and diplomatically. What I appreciate most about Jenny's approach is how she leads with the child's best interest in mind in order to help guide parents towards resolutions. Jenny was responsive and dedicated to helping us find solutions tailored to our specific needs through every step of our journey."

Client

★★★★★

"Jenny Ward changed my life! Well, that isn't completely accurate. The reality is that Jenny gave my life back to me. For many years, I had been slowly sinking into the muck of the status quo, overwhelmed by deadlines, office politics, and personal fears. I was miserable and my days had become a life-draining bore. In a couple of brilliant workshops and speeches, Jenny reminded me of who I had been, who I wanted to be — and helped me to find the joy of authenticity and play that I wanted in my life. Jenny is creative, caring, fun, wise beyond her years, and most of all, she can tap into the hearts of her audience and spark a renewal of energy, passion, and purpose."

Derek

★★★★★

"Jenny provided support, information and resources throughout my divorce process which enabled me to be more informed and confident at my deposition, court appearances and interviews with a Guardian-ad-litem. She helped me reach an acceptable agreement in a more timely manner by developing a strategy to deal with an irrational spouse, censor my emotions in communications and focus on the tasks at hand. Jenny gave me strength to push through even the most difficult parts of the process. Through my interactions with Jenny, I have learned how to communicate with my ex-husband, how to navigate the system and how to be a supportive and understanding parent to my child."

Julie G.

★★★★★

"I first met Jenny in 2018, at a class she taught. After the class I privately asked if she would be interested in working with my family since I was going through a terrible divorce. She met with my children in our home on several occasions and was a huge support to my family during our time of transition. She worked with me on creating boundaries with my ex-husband and provided the support I so desperately needed to be a better mother to my children. Since Jenny also has extensive knowledge of the court system she was also instrumental in providing guidance to myself and the representing councils."

Pamela P.

★★★★★

"I met Jenny Ward at a free class and the topic she was teaching was something I needed guidance with. I knew from that day forward she was going to be my person to coach myself and my family. She is so warm and most important REAL. I felt I could instantly trust her after meeting her for only an hour. She is so encouraging and makes you know you are stronger than you think. She always checks in with us to let us know she is here for us. We are a blended family of 6 and Jenny helps each one of us to our individual needs."

Christina M.

★★★★★

"Jenny is a true master when it comes to working with kids. She knows how to connect deeply, and also how to help kids connect to what they are feeling and better process those tough emotions. She helped our 10 year old daughter with her school related anxiety, and gave her the tools to better cope in a high-stress classroom. We are forever grateful to her."

Carla P.

★★★★★

"Jenny is an incredible teacher, knowledgeable and warm. We have been doing family yoga with her for years. She teaches with humor and patience, and we feel super relaxed yet feel that we have worked out at the end of every session. She has helped our family practice joy and mindfulness."

Sheila & Ketan K.

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