Parent Coaching for Stressed out Parents

As a parent coach I provide a validating and supportive environment for parents with an emphasis on skill building. As parents practice and use these skills, they discover that they are able to respond to their child more effectively, model healthy behaviors, and create a supportive and validating environment.

I will show you how to regulate your own emotions so that you then can respond effectively and wisely. Parents are surprised that as they learn and use the skills, that not only does their child respond more effectively and develop healthier ways of coping but that they themselves enjoy skills for a healthier and more joyful way to live.

Why Parent Coaching

I have worked with adolescents for over 20 years and have discovered that some respond well to individual therapy while others do not. Of concern is the increase in high risk behaviors that we are currently seeing in adolescents and young adults.

As parents our own fears and stress can frequently contribute to the problem. We see our once sweet child engaging in behaviors that shock and dismay us. We use parenting strategies that may have worked with our child in the past but find that they no longer work. So, we redouble our efforts. This then only exacerbates the problem and can set in motion a cycle of emotional and behavioral chaos. This stress frequently interferes with the entire family’s overall health and wellbeing. So often parents tell me that they don’t know what to do or how to help.

The Basis for this Model

I provide parent coaching that is based on Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), a powerful, life-changing intervention. Developed in the late 1980’s by Marsha Linehan, PhD, at the University of Washington, DBT has been well-researched and today is considered the gold standard for treating many particularly difficult emotional and behavioral patterns.

At its core, DBT helps people create a life worth living.

Mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotional regulation and interpersonal skills form the DBT approach.

DBT for parents focuses on mindfulness, acceptance and change, non-judgmental awareness, skills for emotional regulation and behavioral interventions.

How to Start

Parent coaching takes place every week or every other week. If parents are unable to meet at my office, I offer sessions over the phone. In between sessions I offer phone coaching and emails as a way to offer support and enhance use of skills.

Parent groups are also available. These 6-week groups offer parents an opportunity to learn the skills in a supportive environment.

To learn more about this service or to schedule an appointment please call or email Jan Carden, LCSW at caudillandcarden@gmail.com.

Parent Coaching Policies & Procedures

How coaching works

At the outset of parent coaching, we outline current problems and then identify goals. We start each session by reviewing progress and then concentrate on problem areas. Each parent coaching session combines support and validation for the parent while addressing safety concerns and building skills to address problems related to the child or adolescent’s mood or behavior. Parents are encouraged to practice these skills between each session. While a parent is participating in parent coaching, I am available for telephone coaching calls. If the coaching call takes longer than 10 minutes, we will need to schedule a session in order to better address the problem.

Professional boundaries

Coaching is a professional relationship and I will maintain professional boundaries during and after our work together. Considerable experience shows that when boundaries blur, the hard-won benefits gained from the coaching relationship are endangered. I follow all the normal and expected guidelines of ethical boundaries.

Hold liable

Although I may make suggestions and have ideas and strategies for you to consider, you have the ultimate responsibility for the choices, plans and actions that you take. At no time should you feel compelled to “please” me by agreeing to a strategy that you question or doubt. Simply tell me that you don’t like that plan of action, and I will help you find another option or a better way to proceed. I am not responsible for the outcome of your goals or plans. Should it become clear during coaching that you need psychotherapy services I will refer you to another professional who can provide these services. As parent coach, I will only offer coaching, not therapy.

Feedback

If at any time you feel that your needs are not being met or you are not getting what you want out of the individual coaching, please tell me so we can discuss your needs and adjust your coaching program, as needed.

Client responsibility

You, the client, assume responsibility for your own results and outcomes. You agree to save and hold harmless your coach from any liability that may arise as a result of client’s negligent performance of any perceived act or omission or negligence on the part of the coach in accordance with this agreement. As parent coach, I make no guarantee as to the results achieved due to the subjective nature of the work. A coach agrees to serve as guide, advisor and consultant in the areas identified by the client, however the client is solely accountable for producing any and all results.

You, the client, agrees to keep agreements, to regard our coaching appointment time frames with respect and to keep your coach informed as to what you need in order to keep moving forward. I take very seriously the role of your trusted advisor and will remain committed to your ultimate success.

Confidentiality

I adhere to my license and ethics requirements regarding confidentiality for all coaching and consulting. I will only release information about our work to others with your written permission, or if we are required to do so by a court order. Issues discussed in sessions are important and are generally legally protected as both confidential and “privileged.” However, there are limits to the privilege of confidentiality. These situations include:

• Suspected abuse or neglect of a child, elderly person or a disabled person,
• If I believe you are in danger of harming yourself or another person or you are unable to care for yourself
• If you report that you intend to physically injure someone the law requires your therapist to inform that person as well as the legal authorities,

Payment

Regularly scheduled parent coaching sessions cost $150 for a 50-minute session, payable by credit card. Sessions are scheduled at least once per month. I may recommend more frequent sessions depending on the presenting problem.
If you need to cancel an already scheduled session, I will need 48 hours by email or phone (notice must be given during working days, Monday-Friday) in order to avoid being charged for a missed session. Missed session fees are the same cost as regular session fees.

Consent

A decision to begin parent coaching with Jan Carden, LCSW signals agreement with these fees and policies.