What's the role of a Parent Coach? As a Parent Coach, my role is to work with parents/caregivers to improve the dynamics and relationships within the home. Whether parents have specific goals they want support with, need help establishing routines, creating healthy boundaries, or are looking for ways to better understand their child's development, we will work together to create meaningful methods that are considerate for adults and children alike. This work is powerful! Together, we have the potential to forge a new reality for how families function harmoniously, with respectful boundaries and lots of joy.
What's the difference between coaching and therapy? Parent coaches typically view parents as the expert of their own child, and work to establish a one-on-one relationship between the coach and the parents. Coaching typically involves a short-term goal oriented approach based on each family's unique circumstances. Coaches offer life-long, practical strategies and techniques so parents can thrive while holding down their family unit. Alternatively, coaches can work with children within the family structure to co-create an emotional toolbox they can utilize on their journey throughout adolescence. Family therapists take a more comprehensive approach in order to work with and understand family systems and dynamics. They may also use a variety of therapeutic techniques in order to assess and address emotional and psychological dynamics within the family. (Some language borrowed from www.parentcoachatlanta.com)
Disclaimer: I want to be clear- I am not a licensed therapist, nor does my work reflect that of a trained therapist. I do, however, strive to bring compassionate understanding into the work I do with families and children. I received my Bachelor's degree in Psychology and have an Early Childhood Education Certificate. For the past 2 years, I have worked in Early Supports and Services in the state of New Hampshire, supporting families with children birth-age 3 who have developmental delays.
I love to geek out on neuroscience and the benefits of connection, play, and conflict resolution (Dr. Daniel Siegel, Tina Payne Bryson, Janet Lansbury and Gabor Maté are like superheroes to me!) I have worked with families for the past thirteen years in a variety of settings (schools, camps, in early intervention and one-on-one). And if I'm being honest, my own parenting journey has taught me A LOT about how to build a loving, respectful connection between parent and child. Trial and error, my friends, trial and error. I have dedicated years to studying child development, play based learning, and implementing mindfulness strategies both personally and professionally.
I am here to support children and their families so we don't just survive... we thrive!
