Introduction to Parent coaching

As a parent, watching your child struggle with anxiety, OCD, or life transitions can feel overwhelming and confusing. You want to help, but it’s hard to know where to start or how to best support them through these challenges. That’s where our Parent Coaching service comes in. We specialize in providing compassionate, evidence-based guidance for parents of children and teens facing anxiety, OCD, and major life changes. Grounded in the SPACE model — a proven, research-backed approach developed by Dr. Eli Lebowitz at Yale University — our coaching empowers you to make practical, supportive changes that reduce your child’s distress and strengthen your family’s well-being. With the right strategies, you can build confidence and create a more peaceful, supportive home environment for everyone. Parent coaching is available at Gofman Therapy and Consulting, serving clients in Virginia and Connecticut.

What is parent Coaching?

Parent coaching is a personalized, collaborative approach designed to help you become the most effective support for your child. Rather than focusing on your child’s behavior directly, parent coaching empowers you to make strategic changes in your own parenting techniques to reduce anxiety, OCD symptoms, and ease life transitions. It’s a unique, solution-focused service that provides you with practical tools, insight, and strategies you can apply at home right away. With the support of a trained professional, you’ll learn how to respond more effectively to your child’s emotional needs, create a nurturing environment, and help them build resilience. Whether you're navigating a specific challenge like OCD or a broader issue such as a family transition, parent coaching equips you to be the calm, confident guide your child needs.

How the space model guides our work:

• At the heart of our parent coaching approach is the SPACE model (Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions), developed by Dr. Eli Lebowitz. This evidence-based framework focuses on empowering parents to make intentional changes in their behavior that support their child’s emotional growth, rather than directly trying to “fix” the child’s anxiety or OCD.

  The SPACE model emphasizes parental accommodation, which often plays a key role in perpetuating anxiety and compulsive behaviors. By working with you to gradually reduce these accommodations, we help your child face their fears and anxieties in a healthier, more manageable way. The goal isn’t to push your child too hard but to foster an environment where they can learn to manage their emotions and take more responsibility for their actions.

  What sets the SPACE model apart is its deep focus on supportive, compassionate parenting that prioritizes the child’s emotional needs. Throughout our sessions, we work together to identify and shift specific parenting strategies that may inadvertently reinforce anxious or compulsive behaviors. This gradual process helps to build your child’s coping skills, encourages their independence, and ultimately promotes long-term emotional resilience.

  By grounding our coaching in the SPACE model, we ensure that every step we take is backed by years of research and proven effectiveness, helping you create the best possible environment for your child to thrive.

What to expect from parent coaching sessions:

When you sign up for parent coaching, you can expect a personalized, supportive, and practical approach to managing your child’s anxiety, OCD, or life transitions. Here’s what to expect throughout the process:

• Initial Consultation: We’ll start with an introductory session to understand your family’s unique needs, challenges, and goals. During this session, we’ll discuss the specifics of your child’s struggles and the areas where you’d like to see improvement.

• Tailored Coaching Plan: Based on your concerns, we’ll create a customized plan that addresses your child’s specific needs. This plan will focus on strategies for improving communication, reducing anxiety and compulsive behaviors, and supporting your child through difficult life changes.

• Ongoing Support and Guidance: Each session builds on the previous one, providing you with new tools and techniques to implement at home. You’ll learn how to shift your parenting approach to encourage independence and emotional resilience, all while reducing unhelpful accommodations.

• Practical Tools and Strategies: Throughout the process, we’ll teach you evidence-based techniques to manage difficult situations, reduce anxiety triggers, and foster a supportive family environment. We focus on real-world strategies you can apply immediately to help your child succeed.

• Check-ins and Progress Updates: As we work together, we’ll regularly assess progress and adjust the plan as needed. This ensures that the coaching remains relevant and continues to meet your child’s evolving needs.

Our goal is to empower you with the tools and confidence you need to make meaningful changes in your family’s life, leading to lasting improvement in your child’s emotional well-being.

Meet our parent coach

Getting Started with parent coaching

Contact Gofman Therapy and Consulting today to schedule an appointment to get started with Parent Coaching by filling out our contact form or calling our office directly. Our friendly staff will assist you in setting up an initial consultation where you'll discuss your specific needs and goals, and be matched with a qualified therapist. You can also inquire about session availability, insurance coverage, and any other questions you may have. With convenient scheduling options, as well as virtual and in-person availability, you can easily find a time that fits your busy life, making it simple to begin your journey toward improved psychological flexibility and well-being.