Coaching
For Parents, Siblings and Family Members
INDIVIDUALIZED COACHING

“Coaching” is the way that DBT refers to teaching clients how to use skills in their natural
environment. Pat coaches family members and parents of individuals (of any age) with any
kind of emotional difficulties.  In these coaching sessions, parents and family members will
discuss their specific issues, concerns and feelings. They will learn practical strategies and
skills for managing their child/family member and their own lives more effectively, learning to
do what actually works to change the situation.  

Pat has many years of experience listening to parents and family members; hearing their
stories, their feelings, their despair and their grief. Coaching sessions provide an environment
without blame or judgment. Pat has learned to apply the DBT skills to her own work with
parents and family members, creating sessions that facilitate acceptance and empower
individuals to change. Although this is not “individual DBT therapy”, Pat does teach the
specific skills, using handouts and practice, that will help parents and family members to be
more effective in the particular situations that they describe. These sessions are tailored to the
individual and unique needs of each person who attends them.

These sessions are on an as-needed basis. They can be done weekly, monthly or whenever a
situation arises that a family member or parents want to talk about. Pat has flexible availability
and offers sessions during the day and in the evening. There are no weekend hours.

Pat does offer “coaching in crisis” if a parent or family member, who is engaged in coaching,
finds themselves in a crisis situation. This coaching is done by phone at any time.