Ken and Marilyn Vaughan coach and mentor married couples and premarital couples. Perhaps we can trace our passion for marriage back to the time before we ourselves were married in 1973. We both took Dr. Folkman’s class on marriage at The Ohio State University and we read and counseled with our pastor to prepare for our marriage. Little did we know how unprepared we actually were and how much our differences and our backgrounds would affect our marriage. We certainly feel blessed to have struggled through the years, knowing that, as the Bible tells us in Romans 5, “suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” Our struggles and God’s grace have enabled us to each grow personally and as a couple and has been a part of equipping us for fruitful ministry to other marriages.

We began working with other couples more than 30 years ago when we were invited to join the premarital counseling team at Parkside Church. When people found out that we were meeting with couples, we began to get referrals of married couples who desired coaching or mentoring in order to grow and improve in their relationship. As the marriage ministry at Parkside Church developed, we began to counsel with couples and to facilitate small groups in various marriage programs through the church. Today we continue to be involved in both marriage and premarital work at Parkside.

As Marilyn returned to teaching when our children reached middle school, she earned her Masters Degree in school counseling and, enjoying that, went on to receive her Ed.S. degree in counseling, with a focus in marriage and family therapy, then completing the exam requirement to become certified as an LPC. Upon retiring from teaching, she joined the staff of Fieldstone Counseling, a faith-based counseling practice, where she works with a wide range of clients.

Meanwhile Ken’s career transitioned into a business consulting practice. As part of that, he became a Certified Life Coach, focusing on Executive and Leadership Coaching. Through Parkside Church, he also coaches and mentors people in various situations, including career coaching and various other mentoring and coaching relationships.

More recently, Ken and Marilyn have begun offering coaching and mentoring services to married couples, premarital couples, and those considering marriage through New Horizon Partners, Inc. Ken and Marilyn are certified facilitators in SYMBIS, the “Saving Your Marriage Before It Starts” program developed by Drs. Les and Leslie Parrot. While this program was developed primarily for premarital couples, it can also be a useful assessment tool for married couples. With years of experience working with many couples, they can help marriages grow and strengthen.

For couples facing serious issues requiring a counseling relationship, please follow the intake process at Fieldstone Counseling, requesting Marilyn as a counselor. To apply for a coaching/mentoring relationship with Ken and Marilyn, both partners should read and sign the Coaching Agreement and both complete a Client Information form.

We look forward to becoming acquainted and jointly determining whether coaching/mentoring with us is the right next step for your relationship.