Family coaching is often used by parents who believe they can be helped without the intensity of counseling services. Many of the parents that use Family Coaching understand that they could benefit from strengthening their parenting skills. Even though Family Coaching is generally used to help a child thrive, parents or caregivers are the ones participating in the services.
Family Coaching differs from counseling in that it is less intense and is skill-building in nature. Instead of providing counseling where the client processes thoughts, feelings, and body sensations, family coaches complete an assessment and offer practical tips for the caregivers. They use the concepts of attachment, emotional regulation, and child development as their foundation.
Family Coaches share information in a way that is easy to understand and apply. They make sure that caregivers have the most important information which will result in the best parenting decisions. Additionally, they work with clients to formulate a plan of action that is specific to the needs of their family. Some compare it to attending a training that is geared toward addressing their family’s challenges.