For individual coaching we will schedule a time to meet at your home, my office or by phone. The initial session lasts 2 hours and during that time we will talk about your family values and dynamics, your current parenting and discipline style, communication, any stresses that are occurring for the family and most of all, what challenges you are wanting help with. By the end of the first session, we will have begun to create a plan for you to begin making the changes you desire for your family.

We will also decide when we need to meet next. This varies from family to family. Typically, many parents like to have a couple of weeks following our first session to implement and integrate their new strategies. Then at our next session, we talk about the successes that have occurred and what goals you want to set next.

We work together to accomplish whatever goals you set for yourselves and your family. The length of time that I work with a family varies. We work together until the parent feels that they are being successful and where they want to be in their parenting. By this time, we have created a trusting and safe relationship and parents know that they can call at any point and resume our work together. I encourage my clients to call when a situation arises that they feel they need some help with, rather than waiting until the situation feels overwhelming.

I strongly believe in the team approach. Sometimes a family needs services and support in addition to my coaching. In these situations I assist the family in expanding our team. With the families permission, I call upon therapists, pediatricians, school directors,etc. I have several therapists who work with children and families and we work colaboritively as a team to help the family succeed. It has proven to be very beneficial to many families.

Anyone who is a parent knows that parenting requires flexibility. My coaching also provides flexibility. Depending on your geographic location and needs, we might sometimes meet in person and other times have our session via telephone. We can design what you need according to what is going on in your life at the time. If time and distance permits, I can also travel to your home.

In closing, I want to say that I love and deeply believe in the work I do. I believe that parenting is the most important job you will ever do. It may very well be the most challenging and rewarding chapter of your life! It is extremely rewarding to see parents become more confident and satisfied with the way they are parenting their children. I many times, say that children are like little Gumbies: moldable and flexible. And, as the parents make changes, the children also make changes. It is an exciting process to be a part of because it does not take years and years to see the successes in the many families that I work with.

I frequently share the saying below. It so clearly reminds us how much our children are looking to us to model how to behave in this world. In my coaching we will be modeling positive and successful parenting and as you experience it, you will more fully be modeling it for your children.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you hang my first painting on the refrigerator, and I immediately wanted to paint another one.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you feed a stray cat, and I learned that it was good to be kind to animals.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you make my favorite cake for me and I learned that the little things can be the special things in life.
When you thought I wasn't looking I heard you say a prayer, and I knew there is a God I could always talk to and learned to Trust.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you make a meal and take it to a friend
who was sick, and I learned that we all need to help take care of each other.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you give your time and money to help people who had nothing and I learned that those who have something should share it with those who don't.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I felt you kiss me good night and I felt loved and safe.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you take care of our house and everyone in it and I learned we have to take care of what we are given.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw how you handled your responsibilities, even when you didn't feel good and I learned that I would have to be responsible when I grow up.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw tears come from your eyes and I learned that sometimes things hurt and it's all right to cry.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw that you cared and I wanted to be everything I could be.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I learned most of life ís lessons that I need to
know to be a good and productive person when I grow up.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I looked at you and wanted to say, "Thanks for all the things I saw when you thought I wasn't looking."