Parent Coaching

All kids have challenging behaviors- things that, intentionally or not, drive the adults in their lives bananas. Some therapists will take a behavioral approach with your child, offering rewards or punishments to try to change your child’s behavior. It is my belief that those approaches are outdated and simplistic, and while they may work quickly to change how your child acts in the short-term, they may do real damage in the long-term.

I’m here for the long-term. My approach, which leans heavily on my training in DIR Floortime and the FAN (Facilitating Attuned Interactions) Model, instead takes a much closer look at why challenging behaviors emerge in the first place. Through clinical observation, evaluation, and relationship-building with you and your child, I will help you better understand what underlying needs or lagging skills are contributing to tricky behaviors. When we understand the why, we can do two things: provide the support your child needs, and help you connect with your child more deeply.

I provide parent coaching during every Occupational Therapy session because I believe parents need to be involved at every stage of therapy. At the start of therapy, we will work together to create meaningful goals for your child. We will discuss your child’s progress and how those goals were addressed at the end of every session. We will meet to review progress toward your child’s goals every six weeks in a separate parent meeting without your child present.

My model, which incorporates direct work with kids, parents, and the family unit, allows me to create sustainable change that starts with you and your relationship with your child.