In recent years, many therapists are expanding their expertise to include parenting coaching. This evolution is driven by the realization that a child's home environment plays a significant role in their overall development and well-being.
By addressing the entire family system, therapists-turned-parenting coaches are witnessing remarkable transformations in children's lives. In this blog post, we will explore the insights and experiences of Jai Coaches who come from a traditional mental health background and how they discovered the profound benefits of incorporating parent support into their practices.
Recognizing the Power of the Family System
Dr. Gila Z. Reckess, a psychologist and neuropsychologist, embarked on a transformative path that led her to become a parenting coach. Through her clinical work, she realized the pressing need for societal shifts in caring for ourselves and raising our children. Recognizing the profound impact of supporting parents, Gila decided to explore adding parent coaching to her skillset.
With a background in child play therapy,
Melissa Griffing observed how a child's well-being is intricately intertwined with family dynamics. She discovered that therapy for kids alone was not always sufficient to effect lasting change.
“Kids are heavily embedded in a system, a family system. I couldn’t make a change for the better in the child without working with the entire system.”
By acknowledging the importance of working with the whole family, Melissa realized that supporting parents in their journey was crucial. Parents, who were already doing their best, welcomed the opportunity to learn and implement effective parenting practices. The positive changes she witnessed in children and the resulting fulfillment for families propelled her to integrate parental support more intentionally into her practice.
Melissa believes that her work has the potential to positively impact not only the current generation but future generations as well.
This awareness of the lasting impact on families drives her to ensure that her guidance is rooted in best practices, thoroughly researched, and ethically sound. Moreover, adding parent coaching aligns with her goal of offering comprehensive services within her practice.
Melissa emphasizes the significance of staying within her area of expertise as a therapist. With her passion for parent coaching, she recognizes that parenting behaviors are often influenced by how individuals were parented. “I believe that we parent in response to how we were parented. If you like what you saw, you repeat it. If you don’t, you try to do something different.”
As a therapist,
Jessica Bennett became acutely aware of traditional therapy’s constraints in meeting the specific needs of parents. She recognized that parents were searching for practical and actionable guidance on
effective parenting strategies and navigating the intricate dynamics between parents and children.
Observing parents in her therapy sessions actively seeking advice on addressing their children's difficulties, Jessica realized the scarcity of accessible resources. Motivated by this revelation, she felt compelled to bridge the gap in parental support, propelling her toward the realm of parent coaching. By teaching parents more loving and effective ways to raise their children, she aspires to break cycles of negative parenting practices.
Gila adds, “When you support parents, you get to work in the land of hope and possibility... It’s an impact ‘two-fer,’ with effects that will trickle down for many generations to come.”
Meeting Demand and Expanding Support
Melissa has successfully marketed her parenting program to both existing and new families. Recognizing the need for flexibility, she has created workbooks and videos that allow families to learn and grow at their own pace.
Through in-person and telehealth coaching, Melissa has witnessed positive transformations in families. Additionally, by generating supplementary materials, she has created a passive income stream for herself. Inspired by the success of her programs, she plans to continue expanding her offerings to cater to specific niches within parenting, such as developing courses on
Jai’s PEACE process or self-regulation for parents.
“Parent coaching offers some really enticing benefits, both personally and in terms of the impact I can have on others,” says Gila. “My hope is that I can offer a wider range of services and levels of support, meaning I can not only reach more people but can do so in a way that is financially and geographically accessible for more parents.”
Therapist Spotlights
Read Melissa, Abe, and Jessica's stories:
Combining Parent Coaching and Therapy
“As I started offering more parent support, that is when I really started to see positive changes in the kids. And the whole family was happier,” shares Melissa.
She goes on to highlight the versatility of her approach, which involves working with parents as parenting coach clients and using the program selectively in her therapy practice.
“Adding parent coaching made sense ethically, so I am confident in the support I am offering. It also made sense for my business model. I want my practice to be a one-stop shop for families.”
“I am definitely
earning money as a Parent Coach,” Jessica shares. “It is very exciting... Being a parent coach has given me the opportunity to help so many families that would otherwise still be trying to figure it out all on their own.”
For Gila, becoming a parenting coach held a multitude of appealing benefits, both personally and professionally. She saw the opportunity to expand the range of services and levels of support she could offer, allowing her to reach more parents and overcome financial and geographical barriers.
On a personal level, the flexibility and autonomy provided by coaching aligned perfectly with her role as a single mother. Additionally, Gila discovered unexpected rewards along the way. The supportive community of Jai graduates and the networking opportunities with fellow coaches and entrepreneurs enriched her growth journey both professionally and personally.
Specialized Training for Effective Parent Coaching
Melissa emphasizes the importance of specialized training for therapists contemplating becoming parenting coaches or working with children. Working with children requires unique skills, as they communicate and respond differently than adults. Melissa emphasizes the importance of understanding child development and effective communication with children and their parents or caregivers. Becoming a parent coach equips therapists with the necessary tools, confidence, and credentials to positively impact the entire family, including having difficult conversations with parents from a compassionate and supportive perspective.
Jessica encourages “any other therapists out there who are thinking about becoming a parenting coach; I would definitely recommend the Jai Institute for Parenting... Put yourself out there so the parents who need you can see you.”
For therapists contemplating a transition into parenting coaching, Gila offers valuable guidance. She emphasizes the importance of connecting with other parent coaches and business coaches who understand the challenges and intricacies of this field. Embracing a growth mindset and imperfect action is key to overcoming initial discomfort and fear associated with transitioning from therapy to coaching.
Gila encourages therapists to recognize their unique contributions and align themselves with like-minded professionals, assuring them that future clients will greatly appreciate their expertise. “Embrace a growth mindset and the art of imperfect action, and know you have much to offer in this space. Your future clients will be grateful you took the plunge!”
The growing trend of therapists transitioning into becoming parenting coaches reflects a deep understanding of the family system's impact on a child's well-being. Through their specialized training and expertise, these professionals offer guidance and support to parents, fostering positive changes that ripple through generations.
As therapists like Melissa Griffing share, “If you are going to work with kids, you also need training in how to communicate with parents/caregivers.
Becoming a parent coach is incredibly helpful in this way. It gives you the tools, confidence, and credentials to be able to positively impact the whole family.”
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