Parent Coaching

What Is Parent Coaching?

Parent coaching is designed to provide guidance, education, and support for parents dealing with aspects of divorce, including but not limited to parental alienation, resist and refusal behaviors, high conflict personalities, and building a new life as a single adult. This service is provided by Dr. Baker, the clinical director of the Center for Relational Care.

Coaching is not therapy. Its purpose is not to diagnose, process trauma, or treat or manage clinical symptoms. The material focuses on achieving goals and identifying obstacles and developing strategies to improve performance, clarity, and confidence. It is designed to provide direct feedback regarding situations where a parent is struggling to maintain a meaningful bond with their child(ren). Parents may be asked to do homework assignments focused on understanding their communication, interpersonal, and/or parenting styles. This may include filling out questionnaires, keeping a journal, and/or reading written materials among other things. Coaching services can be provided in person or virtually.

Differences Between Coaching and Therapy

Coaching	Therapy
Future-focused	Often past and present-focused
Goal achievement & performance	Diagnosis & treatment of mental health conditions
Assumes client is psychologically stable	Addresses emotional or psychological impairment
No diagnosis	May include clinical diagnosis
Not regulated the same way as mental health treatment	Regulated clinical practice under state law
Skill-building and accountability	Treatment planning and symptom reduction