About this resource
Coaching helps parents use strategies in everyday routines. This plan structures sessions around the family's goal, observing a routine, reflecting together, trying a strategy, joint planning and practice between sessions.
Purpose
To plan coaching sessions that build parents' confidence and capacity.
Who it is for
Primary profession: Occupational therapists. Also relevant for speech pathologists, allied health and multidisciplinary teams.
Client or participant group: Occupational therapists working with families.
Practice setting: Home visits, telehealth and clinics.
Suggested uses
- Early intervention
- Family-centred practice
- Telehealth
- Home programs
Instructions for practitioners
- Start with the family's priorities.
- Observe real routines where possible.
- Ask reflective questions before suggesting.
- Plan practice that fits family life.
Accessibility considerations
Use interpreters and video examples.
Scope and limitations
A session planning template.
Research basis
Parent support that builds positive interactions, consistent responses and emotional communication improves child behaviour and family wellbeing. A strong working alliance and routine progress feedback are among the most consistent predictors of good outcomes in therapy.
- Flückiger, C., Del Re, A. C., Wampold, B. E., & Horvath, A. O. (2018). The alliance in adult psychotherapy: A meta-analytic synthesis. Psychotherapy, 55(4), 316–340. https://doi.org/10.1037/pst0000172
- Kaminski, J. W., Valle, L. A., Filene, J. H., & Boyle, C. L. (2008). A meta-analytic review of components associated with parent training program effectiveness. Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, 36(4), 567–589. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10802-007-9201-9
- Lambert, M. J., Whipple, J. L., & Kleinstäuber, M. (2018). Collecting and delivering progress feedback: A meta-analysis of routine outcome monitoring. Psychotherapy, 55(4), 520–537. https://doi.org/10.1037/pst0000167
What is included
A 2-page printable A4 PDF, including a practitioner notes page with the research basis (version 1.0).
Originality
Original Practitioner Plus content: wording, activity structure, layout and icons were created for this resource. No third-party worksheets, illustrations or text were reproduced.
