Children today must deal with various issues, from constant exposure to social media to ever-changing social and cultural norms. Providing them with the essential life skills and support they need isn’t easy for parents, and for the most part, no one is teaching them how to do it effectively.

Plus, parents often need to raise kids while building careers, managing their own mental health, and taking on other caretaker responsibilities. In this complex challenge, parent coaching can become a vital support system. 

Parent coaches use evidence-based strategies and personalized guidance to help parents create harmonious family dynamics and nurture their children. 

Let’s explore what parent coaching can offer to clients and how you can start a career in this much-needed field.

What is Parent Coaching?

Parent coaching supports parents, and primary caregivers navigate the complexities of raising children.

Through personalized guidance and evidence-based strategies, parent coaches help families improve their relationships and consciously choose parenting strategies that work for them. They work closely with parents to understand their unique situation, values, and experiences.

Since no single solution fits all families, parent coaches help clients identify their strengths and find solutions for their specific challenges. Instead of dictating how parents should raise their children, a parent coach facilitates reflection and holds them accountable so they can realize their vision of successful parenting.

What are the Goals of Parent Coaching?

Parent coaches may take different approaches depending on the individual needs of the families they work with. Here are a few common objectives this coaching niche tends to focus on.

Managing Behavioral Issues

General behavioral issues in children are the most common challenges of parents. A coach can provide strategies for parents to communicate better with their kids and teach them the importance of discipline.

Addressing Transitions

Significant life changes such as marriage, divorce, adoption, or the death of a family member can be challenging for kids. Coaches work with parents to manage these changes and help their kids adjust to them.

Improving Communication and Coping Skills

Effective communication and coping strategies are fundamental goals of parent coaching. Coaches work with parents to improve their communication skills with their children and within the family unit to foster a more harmonious home environment.

Supporting New Parents

New parents often face unique challenges as they adjust to their new roles. Parent coaching provides guidance on issues like parental leave planning, schedule management, and dealing with the overall stress of parenting.

Bridging Professional and Parental Responsibilities

Balancing professional and parental responsibilities can be overwhelming. Parent coaches help parents manage their energy, reduce anxiety, and prepare for re-entering the workforce after parental leave. They also provide support for self-advocacy and developing self-compassion as working parents.

Addressing Acculturation Stress

For families adapting to a new culture because of relocation, parent coaching offers strategies to navigate these challenges, promoting a better understanding and integration of diverse cultural backgrounds.

Supporting Developmental Needs

Parent coaching addresses learning difficulties such as ADHD and dyslexia, as well as other neurodivergent traits like autism spectrum disorder (ASD). It provides parents with strategies and tools to support their child’s educational and developmental needs so they can perform better in academic and social settings.

Facilitating Difficult Conversations

Coaches can assist parents in having sensitive and important conversations with their children about topics like adoption, sex education, and inequality. They can also support parents of LGBTQIA+ kids so they can make them feel understood, accepted, and supported.

What is the Difference Between a Therapist and a Parent Coach?

Therapists are licensed professionals with specialized training to treat mental illnesses. Their work focuses on helping clients understand and resolve emotional, behavioral, and cognitive issues rooted in past experiences.

Therapy may involve long-term treatments and, when necessary, prescription medication. Therapists are equipped to diagnose mental health conditions in both children and adults and work with them individually or jointly to overcome emotional challenges.

The role of parent coaches, however, is to provide parents with practical tools and strategies. They are more action and goal-oriented, focusing on the present and future.

Unlike therapists, they can’t diagnose or treat mental health conditions. Instead, they work with parents to build new skills and proactively handle everyday issues.

When to Refer a Client to a Therapist

As a parent coach, it’s important to recognize when a client may need the specialized support of a therapist. Refer clients to a therapist if they or their children are:

• Living with a suspected or diagnosed mental health condition
• Requiring specialized treatment such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) or prescription medication
• Suspected to be dealing with suicidal ideation, eating disorders, or substance abuse

Understanding these boundaries ensures that clients receive the appropriate care for serious mental health issues.

When to Step in as a Parent Coach

Your expertise as a parent coach will be invaluable when clients are:

• Seeking help for specific interpersonal challenges
• Looking to develop skills like resilience, patience, and effective communication
• Asking for advice on managing caregiver fatigue or stress
• In need of parenting strategies and skills to support the whole family

Your goal-oriented, practical approach can provide immediate, tangible benefits and support parents in navigating everyday parenting challenges.

A dual approach can be particularly effective for parents and their children. Coaching and therapy can offer a comprehensive support system that addresses deep-seated emotional challenges and day-to-day parenting needs.

The Best Parent Coaching Certifications

If you’re ready to start a career in parent coaching, the first step is to get trained. Look for programs that provide comprehensive training about concepts like the parent coaching model or attachment psychology.

Here are some certifications for parent coaching you can consider.

Parent Coach Certification Training by PCI

The Parent Coaching Institute (PCI) offers a comprehensive program that combines the latest research in parenting, coaching, and child development. It’s a one-year, comprehensive course you can complete in 5-7 hours weekly. Tuition is $5,800 upfront or four payments of $1,450.

The curriculum includes extensive training in coaching skills, parent-child relationship dynamics, and practical application through supervised coaching sessions.

Certified Parenting Coach Program by the Jai Institute

The Jai Institute offers parent coaching certification that emphasizes conscious parenting and emotional intelligence. It’s a 7-month online program that costs $4,750, with a $1,000 discount for upfront payment.

The curriculum covers three phases:

• Personal growth for parents
• Coaching skills
• Business launch strategies

Courses include attachment psychology, communication coaching, neuroscience, and long-term business growth.

Facilitator Training by Circle of Security International

The Circle of Security Parenting (COSP) Facilitator Training is an excellent option for coaches who want to support caregivers in building secure parent-child attachments. Using the Circle of Security model, you’ll learn how to help parents understand and respond to their children’s emotional needs.

This training combines practical skills and theoretical knowledge and focuses on the following:

• Attachment theory fundamentals
• Creating safe learning environments
• Relationship enhancement strategies
• Promoting caregiver self-reflection

It’s offered in multiple formats, including in-person and online options. All cost $1,000 and can be completed in up to two weeks.

How to Start a Parent Coaching Business 

Once you’ve acquired the necessary training, it’s time to set up your business as a parent coach. Here’s how you can get started.

Define Your Approach

Determine the demographic you want to serve, whether it’s new parents, parents of teenagers, or families with specific special needs. Clarify your coaching approach, including the methodologies and techniques you’ll use to support your clients in achieving their goals.

This might involve integrating psychological theories with practical tools such as goal-setting exercises and communication skills training. Tailor your approach to your target client’s needs and consider how much you want to personalize your coaching process with each client.

Set up a Business

Choose a business structure like sole proprietorship or LLC, and register your business. Next, hire an accountant or set up a system for bookkeeping and taxes.

Additionally, explore options for professional liability insurance for protecting your business and yourself in case of legal claims or disputes.

To ensure the admin side of your business runs smoothly, you can sign up for an all-in-one client management software like Paperbell, which handles your bookings, payments, and contracts.

Organizing your coaching practice allows you to focus on delivering high-quality parent coaching services to your clients without worrying about the logistical aspects of running a business.

Create Coaching Packages

Next, design your coaching packages and set your pricing. Determine how often and how long your coaching sessions will be and any additional services or resources you’ll provide your clients. These can include accountability between sessions or training videos.

Consider offering package deals or subscription services for ongoing support. When setting your pricing, consider your level of expertise, similar services on the market, and the overall value you provide to your clients.

[ Read: 7 Inspiring Coaching Business Models (and 7 Real-Life Examples) ]

If you want to simplify setting up custom packages for your business, Paperbell can automatically create landing pages for your offers. It also keeps all your client information organized in one place.

Market Your Services

It’s essential to build a strong brand and market your services to get clients. Develop a brand identity that reflects your coaching philosophy and resonates with your target audience.

Use online and offline marketing channels like social media, networking events, workshops, and collaborations with related professionals to promote your services. Consistently communicate the benefits of your coaching services and expertise to attract new clients.

Keep Your Business Running Smoothly

Managing client bookings, payments, contracts, and other administrative tasks can be time-consuming. Consider using an all-in-one client management tool like Paperbell to automate your operations.

Paperbell runs your day-to-day processes, from payments and contract signing to scheduling, and more. It keeps all your client information in one place while linking your landing page to your client management system. Best of all, it’s free with your first client.

By organizing your business and continuously honing your coaching skills, you’ll be well on your way to building a successful practice.