What is Parent Coaching?

Partnered Parents: Parent coaching is a process where a neutral party, a Parent Coach (PC), facilitates problem-solving related to co-parenting issues for couples in partnership. The focus is to minimize stress for children through supporting the co-parenting dynamic.

The primary goal of parent coaching is to reduce stress for children by improving the relationship between co-parents, including those with high-conflict communication styles. Generally, the PC will facilitate a dialog geared toward the fortification of the co-parenting team by exploring the needs of the family while building healthy communication skills and guiding choices with respect to the child’s best interest.

Single Parents or Guardians: Parent coaching is also available for single parents or guardians who are the sole caregiver for a child or have a co-parent who is unable or unwilling to attend sessions. This service is available for caregivers interested in learning about the developmental needs of children and who would like support and guidance in decision-making and planning, developing and sustaining a conscious and healthy style of childcare that is loving, kind, boundary-conscious, and structured. Fees can be modified on a sliding scale on a case-by-case basis.

What are the Benefits of Parent Coaching?

When parent coaching is successful, the process strengthens everyone in the family. Most importantly, by creating coherence in the co-parenting connection, an atmosphere that encourages happy, healthy, and secure children will transpire. Better quality interactions between co-parents lead to a more functional and balanced relationship and, therefore, a more peaceful and positive environment for the whole family.

What Happens in a Parent Coaching Session?

In a parent coaching session, the PC utilizes assessment and mediation while facilitating co-parent collaboration in prioritizing choices based on the child’s best interest. The process involves advocacy and education of child developmental stages and psychological needs. Depending on the age of the children and the circumstances involved, the PC may, on occasion, include children in the sessions. Parent coaching supports the ongoing enhancement of the co-parenting relationship through developing conflict resolution communication, cooperative and mindful decision-making, negotiation, and problem-solving skills. The approach is cooperative, with each parent’s participation being equally important. In some cases, a workbook regarding cooperative co-parenting is incorporated as an educational guideline for additional support.

What is the Cost of Parent Coaching?

The fee for parent coaching is $150. per hour. There is no retainer required to begin parent coaching sessions.

How Long Does Parent Coaching Take?

Initially, the PC will meet with each co-parent individually for a 1-hour session. This is followed by a series of three 1.5-hour joint sessions to begin. After this sequence, 1-hour to 1.5-hour sessions are available and will be determined based on your specific needs. The number of sessions required to support co-parents adequately is situationally dependent. Typically, the more complex the concerns, the longer it takes to reach a comfortable baseline. Some co-parents participate in a series of sessions and then return as needed throughout the co-parenting relationship. Some families benefit most from consistent, ongoing support and attend regular sessions—weekly, bi-monthly, or monthly.