Parent coaching is available for families who want a more relaxed, supportive and direct approach to problem-solving, and don't need the more intensive, in-depth services that psychotherapy provides. While I have some specialization in coaching/consulting with families of intellectually and musically gifted children, I also work with a range of parenting concerns.

Similar to life coaching, parent coaching is a supportive approach to strategic planning, values clarification, brainstorming, and goal-setting to help you reach identified goals. It is most useful when there is a specific problem to solve, or when ongoing support is needed related to understanding your child's social and emotional growth, assessing academic achievement, or addressing college planning. It is particularly helpful with parenting struggles that could benefit from developing improved skills, but don't require the services of individual or family therapy.

The goals of psychotherapy focus on alleviating symptoms, understanding the underlying dynamics that create these symptoms, changing problem behaviors, and developing new strategies for successfully coping with psychological problems. The therapist uses diagnostic techniques, theoretical foundations, and research-based strategies to understand clients and develop treatment goals. Psychotherapy is considered a health care service and is usually reimbursable through health insurance plans, which is not true for coaching or consultation.

On the other hand, educational consultation services or coaching provide education and information related to a specific area of concern. Strategic planning, values clarification, brainstorming, and goal-setting are used to reach identified goals. The relationship between the consultant and client is more direct, relaxed and challenging than between therapist and client, and not intended to offer therapeutic support.

(Note: Parenting coaching or educational consultation are not the best option when a psychoeducational evaluation or psychotherapy is needed. If you contact me and it seems clear that coaching would not serve your needs, I will refer you to the appropriate services.)

Life coaching has been around for a while, and people from a range of backgrounds have worked in this field. Yet it is surprising to note that there are no state governing boards granting licensure or credentialing for coaching, or that oversee the quality of training programs, enforce rules and laws, or ensure that coaches adhere to a code of ethics. 

While parenting coaching differs from psychotherapy (as noted above), my training and expertise as a psychologist always informs my work in the role of a parenting coach. And unlike many life coaches without training as psychologists, I won't focus on myself, offer guidance solely based on my personal experiences, or insist that I know what it best and that you must follow what I recommend. Instead, I will offer ideas and strategies, suggest reasons for possible roadblocks, and help you decide what works best for you and your family. 

Workshops and programs are available school personnel. This includes consultation with staff, parent workshops and workshops on the social/emotional needs for middle school and high school students.

If you are interested in learning more about Parenting Coaching or Gifted Challenges Educational Consultation Services, please contact me directly to see if these services are the right approach for you. My fees for coaching, $220.00 for the initial session, and $210.00 for additional sessions, are slightly reduced from my psychotherapy fees.

Also, more information about social and emotional aspects of giftedness, parenting concerns and advocacy can be found on my blog, Gifted Challenges.