What's the role of a Family Coach? As a Parent and Family Coach, my role is to work with families to improve dynamics and relationships within the home.I am able to adapt to the realities of each family and their values as a whole. Whether parents/caregivers have specific goals they want support with for their family, need help establishing routines and healthy boundaries, or are looking for ways to better understand their child's development or "behaviors", we will work together to create meaningful methods that are considerate for adults and children alike. This work is powerful! We have the potential to forge a new reality for how families function harmoniously, with respectful boundaries and lots and lots of joy.
What's the difference between coaching and therapy? Parent coaches typically view parents/caregivers as the expert of their own child, and work to establish a one-on-one relationship between the coach and the parents/caregivers. 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/caregivers 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. 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 eleven years in a variety of settings (schools, camps, in early intervention and one-on-one). And if I'm being honest, my son 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, mindfulness, play based learning, and the benefits of play and connection in regards to trauma. I have come away with something profound, yet pretty simple... we all need connection, support, self-confidence and a caring community in order to thrive. And that is what I am here for. To support children and their families so we don't just survive... we thrive!