If you’re here, chances are your marriage feels a little… STUCK.
On the surface, things look fine—you’re juggling kids’ schedules, dinners, and bills—but deep down, it feels like you’re just coasting. The thought of going deeper often stirs up anxiety or the fear of another argument.
So if anxiety has been the uninvited guest at your table, you’re not alone—and there’s a way forward.
I help couples move from tension and disconnection into balance, empathy, and genuine connection—step by step, at a pace that feels safe.
Anxiety has a way of sneaking into your marriage.
It shows up as tension in conversations, avoidance of deeper topics, or that constant feeling like you’re walking on eggshells.
Instead of feeling like teammates, you end up managing schedules and responsibilities while slowly drifting apart. It’s exhausting—and it leaves you wondering if things will ever change.
But, Here’s the Truth:
You’re not broken.
Your marriage isn’t beyond repair.
And you are not alone in this.
When anxiety, emotional overload, or mental strain is in the picture—even when it’s not caused by the relationship—it silently impacts everything: communication, intimacy, and the way you show up for each other.
🌿 That’s where I come in.
Together, we’ll slow things down and make space for the two of you to reconnect in ways that feel safe. I’ll be with you every step of the journey—whether through 1:1 sessions, group Q&As, practical resources, or even a quick WhatsApp check-in. We’ll work gently but intentionally, so anxiety no longer controls your marriage.
✨ Imagine waking up to a marriage that feels like a true partnership.
What if you could start the day feeling supported, loved, and safe to share your feelings—
without fear of judgment or defensiveness?
What if you and your spouse felt heard, appreciated, and truly aligned in both your personal and shared goals?
Picture a relationship where…
❤️ You don’t have to defend yourself when sharing emotions or receiving feedback.
❤️ Compromise, validation, and appreciation replace frustration and resentment.
❤️ You both step up for each other and let go of the little things.
❤️ Arguments still happen—but they lead to connection and understanding, not disconnection.
❤️ Balance exists between “us” time, “me” time, kid time, and social time.
❤️ Conversations go beyond work and kids, bringing back curiosity, laughter, and excitement.
❤️ You touch, snuggle, flirt, and genuinely look forward to being together.
🌿This is the kind of marriage you deserve—and it’s absolutely possible.
Ready to take the first step toward your Chaos to Connection journey?
Let’s begin, together!
Hi, I’m Michelle Pettengill–
I’m a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Marriage Coach who has guided hundreds of individuals and couples toward emotional balance, healthier communication, and deeper intimacy. With more than 20 years of experience, I help people move from conflict and struggle into connection, healing, and wellness.
But I don’t just teach these tools—I’ve lived them.
My Journey
Twenty-two years ago, my now-husband and I were in love… but struggling. Disagreements escalated quickly, emotions ran high, and I felt unheard. I thought yelling would get my point across, while he shut down. We were stuck in unhealthy communication patterns, and it was exhausting.
On top of that, I was carrying my own anxiety. My thoughts were loud, kept me up at night, and I’d replay conversations over and over in my head. I often felt like he just didn’t understand what I was going through. That left me feeling even more alone in our marriage.
Years later, when he nearly died from COVID, everything changed again. The aftermath left him with severe health anxiety. For the first time, he was living in the same anxious headspace I had known for years. Together, we had to learn how to navigate fear, uncertainty, and disconnection—while finding our way back to balance and each other.
Through it all, I realized something important: anxiety doesn’t just live in your mind or body—it ripples through your marriage. And when one of you is struggling, both of you feel it.
The Transformation
During my Master’s in Social Work, I began learning tools for communication, nervous system regulation, and emotional safety—tools we applied in our own marriage. They didn’t make life perfect, but they gave us something much more valuable: the ability to listen, support, and truly understand each other.
Today, our marriage is strong, connected, and built on deep communication. We still face challenges, but instead of pulling us apart, they draw us closer.
And I want that for you, too.
Why I Created Chaos to Connection
I designed Chaos to Connection: A Marriage Wellness Journey to help busy, married couples who feel distant and overwhelmed—especially when anxiety is in the picture. My approach blends marriage coaching with the nervous-system safety tools I’ve used for years as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, so couples can rebuild emotional intimacy, communicate effectively, and strengthen their bond—without adding more stress to their already chaotic lives.
If you’re ready to shift from chaos to connection, let’s begin your journey today. Because your marriage is worth it.
💙 Michelle
“The greatest marriages are built on teamwork. A mutual respect, a healthy dose of admiration, and a never-ending portion of love and grace.”
– Fawn Weaver
What Does Coaching look like with Me?
What Does Coaching look like with Me?
In our marriage coaching sessions, we go beyond surface-level advice and get to the heart of what’s keeping you disconnected. We begin with a Personalized Self-Care & Mental Wellness Reset—because when each partner understands their own stress patterns, nervous system responses, and emotional needs, connection becomes easier and more natural. From there, we move into the Marriage Wellness Plan, a step-by-step approach to navigating conflict with empathy and clarity, so you can experience emotional safety instead of shutdown.
You'll learn about your attachment and response styles, develop emotionally focused communication strategies (inspired by EFT), and receive practical tools to reignite emotional responsiveness and intimacy—without adding more stress to your lives. I also offer support for unique challenges like different parenting styles, helping you align as a team.
These sessions are a mix of deep reflection, real-time tools, and compassionate guidance—all designed to help you feel seen, supported, and hopeful again. Whether your marriage feels stuck in “roommate mode” or you’re navigating anxiety and emotional distance, our work together helps you move from chaos to connection—one grounded step at a time.