What is Parent Coaching?
- Martha Boiardt
- Jun 21
- 2 min read
If you're a parent getting your child started in the world of speech therapy, you're likely overwhelmed for so many reasons. Among them, what will speech therapy do for your child? How much time, money, and resources is this going to take What is the most efficient approach?
Traditionally, many families picture speech therapy as a direct intervention model: your child sits one-on-one with a speech therapist each week, working through speech and language goals.
But what if there’s another approach—one that brings you, the parent, into the heart of your child’s progress?
It’s called parent coaching, and for many families, it may be the right fit.
What Is Parent Coaching?
Parent coaching is a collaborative model of therapy where, instead of the therapist working directly with the child each session, the therapist works closely with you. You learn evidence-based strategies to support your child’s communication throughout everyday routines—mealtime, bath time, bedtime, and all the moments in between.
Instead of waiting for a 30-minute session once a week, your child receives ongoing support from the person they trust most: you.
Why Does Parent Coaching Work?
Coaching empowers you with tools to model language, reinforce speech sounds, and support social communication—all within the flow of your daily life. Under the right collaborative conditions, this model can be incredible!
In my own practice, I’ve seen how coaching builds confidence in parents and leads to more consistent, long-term gains in children. It shifts the question from “Is my child getting enough therapy?” to “How can I support their growth every day?”
Coaching vs. Direct Intervention
This past weekend, I presented on this topic at FLASHA 2025 in Orlando, FL. I had the opportunity to dive deep into the differences between these two models.
Spoiler: there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Some children benefit most from direct services, especially for more complex needs. Others thrive with parent coaching, or a hybrid model combining the two.
But here’s what I believe: every parent deserves to understand their options and make an informed, empowered choice about their child’s care.
Is Coaching Right for Your Family?
Coaching is especially effective for:
Early Intervention
Families seeking strategies they can use daily
Children who are shy or disengaged with unfamiliar adults
Parents who want to be more actively involved in their child’s progress
Let’s Talk
At Miami Speech Therapy, we offer coaching sessions tailored to your family’s routines, values, and goals.
Curious if parent coaching might be right for your family? Schedule a free consultation to learn more.
We’ll explore your child’s needs and discuss the best-fit model—whether that’s direct intervention, coaching, or a blend of both.
Because at the end of the day, therapy should work for your child—and for you.
Comments