Parent Coaching

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Parenting can be rewarding, joyous and exciting – but it can also be scary and frustrating. Every parent faces challenges and needs help from time to time. When a challenge is complex or is too difficult to manage with only support from family and friends, experts at Sage can help. 

Parent coaching is when one or both parents meet with a professional to work on specified goals related to parenting. It can be useful for any parent, step-parent or caregiver who needs support to navigate their child’s specialized psychological and developmental needs. During our sessions, Sage’s parenting experts – whether psychologists, counselors, behavioral therapists or others – provide clear guidance and education about your child’s needs, developmental stage and/or diagnosis, offer guidance and support, and help improve your communication and coping skills. 

Who can benefit from it?

You might benefit from Sage’s parent coaching service if you, a family member, a caregiver or a friend would like to learn how to better support a child or teenager going through transitions and changes such as: 

• Life transition issues (marriage, death, adoption, etc.) or familial changes. 
• General behavioral issues. 
• Learning issues such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and dyslexia. 
• Autism spectrum disorders (ASD). 
• Oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) and conduct problems. 
• Reactive attachment disorder (RAD). 
• Suicidal ideation, attempt, or recent hospitalization for a mental health event. 
• Eating disorders. 
• Adolescent substance misuse. 
• Parent in recovery or parental mental health. 
• Trauma, survivors of abuse/domestic violence. 
• Acculturation stress. 
• Facilitating difficult conversations with your child, like adoption, sex, etc. 
• New parents. 
• Screen time issues. 
• Adaptive communication. 

Parent Coaching vs Family Therapy – What are the key differences?

While both family therapy and parent coaching aim to improve family wellbeing, they focus on different things – and it’s normal to be unsure which one your family needs.

Family therapy is a form of psychological treatment that looks at the relationships and communication patterns within a family system. Our family therapists help family members understand each other’s perspectives, resolve conflicts, and address emotional or behavioural difficulties that affect everyone. It’s often recommended when there are deeper relational dynamics, emotional struggles, or mental health concerns involved – such as anxiety, trauma, sibling conflict, or a child’s behavioural challenges that impact the whole family.

Parent coaching, on the other hand, is more practical and skills-based. It focuses on helping parents understand their child’s behaviour, build effective strategies, and respond in ways that support healthy emotional and social development. Coaching sessions are typically shorter-term and goal-oriented – for example, helping parents manage screen time, establish routines, handle big emotions, or strengthen connection during challenging phases.

You might consider family therapy if:

• There are ongoing patterns of conflict or communication breakdowns.

• Your child or teen is experiencing emotional or behavioural difficulties affecting everyone at home.

• You want a safe space where each family member’s voice can be heard and understood.

You might consider parent coaching if:

• You want practical tools and guidance on how to support your child more effectively.

• You’re looking to improve your parenting confidence and consistency.

• You’d like to learn new ways to set boundaries, respond calmly, or strengthen connection.

In some cases, families benefit from both – beginning with family therapy to understand the underlying dynamics, then moving to parent coaching to maintain progress through everyday strategies.

At Sage, our team can help you decide which approach best fits your family’s current needs and goals, ensuring that the support you receive is both practical and emotionally meaningful.