Parent coaching in Boulder
For parents who want to understand what is going on with their child or teenager, and with themselves. In person at my Boulder office, or online for parents located in Colorado or California.
I'm Lori Beth Goldman, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in Boulder, Colorado. Parent coaching is time for you, the parent. We get the nitty-gritty of your child's day-to-day, go through play-by-play scenes of parenting in action, and think through together what might be happening for your child. It starts with a free 20-minute call.
Why can parenting feel so hard?
Parenting is often one of the biggest honors we have in life, but it's also sometimes the biggest challenge we'll ever face. Kids require a near-constant supply of energy and attention, and we are constantly on our toes, juggling the other adult responsibilities: career, finances and relationships. Often, partnerships and friendships take the back seat, and parents are left feeling under-supported during some of the most challenging years of their children's lives.
When you add in a particularly hard time for you or your child, it's a recipe for short tempers, self-criticism and exhaustion. It can help to have someone on your team.
What is parent coaching?
Parent coaching is focused time for you, rather than therapy for your child. It can be a few sessions about one particular dynamic, or ongoing support while your child or teen is in therapy with me. These sessions are for you, so please come without your child.
How I support parents
Get the nitty-gritty of your child's day-to-day, and hear your perspective and concerns about your child or teenager.
Support you to better understand your child, so you can have greater ease and connection in your parenting and relating.
Think through together what might be happening for your child. Go through play-by-play scenes of parenting in action, so you can meet your child or teenager and support their development.
Look at how your own childhood may be shaping the way you show up for your child, and do the therapeutic work to meet those parts of yourself.
Support the family dynamic as a whole.
Being in touch and in tune with yourself is the only way that the best parent in you can be present.
1-on-1 Parent Coaching & Integrated Therapy
Ways we can work together
Parent consultation: one to three sessions focused on a particular parenting dynamic, in which I offer my professional recommendation.
Ongoing parent sessions when your child or teen is in individual therapy with me. I require that parents meet with me monthly while I am working with their child.
Sessions with both parents together, about parenting.
Coparenting sessions for divorced parents.
Parenting support groups (general support, ADHD, grief and loss, adoption).
Presentations and classes at schools for parents, educators and administrators.
I tailor every session, whether with an individual or a group, to the needs of the parents I am working with.
What can I do if I feel like I can't cope with my child anymore?
Say it out loud to someone. Loving parents reach the end of their rope too, and when you do, it is a reason to get support. If anyone is in danger, call or text 988, or call 911.
If no one is in danger, a parent consultation is a place to slow things down: what is happening, what you have already tried, and what one change at home might look like this week.
Can parents sit in on their teen's therapy?
Sometimes. I will always urge your teen to talk with you directly about things they share with me involving their relationship with you. There can be important reasons for you to come into a session with your teen so you can have my support at working with particular sticky issues. And, your teen's sessions are their own and it is important that they feel like I am their ally and support so this will be something that is decided on a case by case basis and first and foremost your teen must be comfortable.
How much does parent coaching cost?
I am a private pay therapist and am not on insurance panels. You will pay me directly at the end of each month. If you have PPO insurance, I can give you a superbill and you will be able to work with your insurance company to get some out-of-network reimbursement. We talk about fees on the free consultation call, and you can ask me any questions you have then.
Questions parents ask
Can we meet online?
Yes, if you are located in Colorado or California. See online therapy in Colorado and California.
My teenager is struggling. Should I start with coaching or with therapy for them?
Either can come first, and we can work that out on the free call. See therapy for teens in Boulder.
Is this crisis support?
No. If you or your child are in crisis, call or text 988, or call 911.