Caregiver coaching is an essential part of the process of therapy for kids. It goes hand in hand with play therapy. Research demonstrates that children will experience the most healing and growth if caregivers are involved in their therapy.
In play therapy, the therapist is observing themes that may come up for the child in the play — such as power, control, nurture, family, mastery, and more. As renowned child therapist, Garry Landreth states, “Toys are children’s words and play is their language.” Play therapy is a powerful outlet for kids to process any underlying anxiety, stressors, grief, or trauma that they may have experienced.
What is caregiver coaching?
In caregiver coaching meetings, the play therapist will focus on 3 objectives:
- Progress report from parents/caregivers (what behavior they are observing in the child)
- Progress report from therapist (description of aforementioned themes of play, session content)
- Strategies caregivers can use to support the child
Meeting with parents and caregivers is such an illuminating part of the process of seeing kids.
In these meetings, caregivers may discover what is their “own stuff” that they may be projecting onto their child.
They may also learn how to regulate themselves so that they can coregulate their child.
They also may find encouragement and affirmation that they are loving their child so well.
And, they may learn about how to express true empathy whilst setting firm limits with their child, creating a deep sense of safety for their child.
Caregiver coaching is truly a nonnegotiable when children are taking part in play therapy.