Parent Support and Coaching

Parent Support and Coaching

Parenting is the hardest job you'll ever do—but you don't have to do it alone. We offer parent support to help you better understand your child's behavior, manage tough moments with more confidence, and bring more calm to your home. Whether you're facing big feelings, power struggles, or just adjusting to a new season of parenting, we're here to help you find clarity, connection, and support.

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Support

Free 15-min consultation

In-person & telehealth

§When Parents Need Support

You love your child, but some days (or weeks, or months) feel impossibly hard. You're exhausted from tantrums, power struggles, defiance, or emotional meltdowns. You feel like you're failing when nothing works. You read parenting books and follow Instagram accounts promising solutions, but your child didn't come with that manual.

You might be feeling:

Like you're constantly reacting instead of responding thoughtfully

Guilty for yelling, threatening, or losing your patience

Confused about why strategies that work for other parents fail with your child

Alone in your struggles (other parents seem to have it together)

Worried you're damaging your child with your mistakes

Disconnected from your child despite trying hard

Overwhelmed by conflicting parenting advice

Parent coaching isn't about being a "bad parent"—it's about:

Understanding your specific child's temperament and needs

Learning evidence-based strategies tailored to your family

Breaking unhelpful patterns before they become entrenched

Getting support during developmental transitions

Managing your own emotional regulation alongside your child's

§Common Parenting Challenges We Address

Tantrums and Emotional Meltdowns

Your child has BIG feelings—and you don't know how to help them (or yourself) through it.

What We Help With:

Understanding why tantrums happen (developmental stage, unmet needs, overwhelm)

Staying calm when your child is dysregulated

Validating emotions while setting boundaries

Distinguishing between tantrums (emotional overload) vs manipulation

Teaching emotional regulation skills appropriate for child's age

Creating predictable routines that reduce meltdown triggers

Ages Served: Toddlers (18 months - 3 years), preschoolers (3-5 years), school-age (5-12 years)

Power Struggles and Defiance

Every interaction feels like a battle. Your child refuses, argues, ignores, or does the opposite of what you ask.

Common Power Struggle Scenarios:

Bedtime resistance

Homework battles

Screen time conflicts

Getting ready for school

Cleaning up toys

Mealtimes

Transitions (leaving park, ending playtime)

What We Teach:

How to offer choices that respect child's autonomy while maintaining boundaries

When to pick your battles vs enforce non-negotiables

Natural and logical consequences (not punishment)

Collaborative problem-solving approaches

Understanding the function of defiant behavior

Reducing power struggles by meeting underlying needs

Sibling Conflict

Your children fight constantly—and you're exhausted from refereeing, mediating, and trying to make things "fair."

Sibling Issues:

Physical aggression (hitting, pushing, biting)

Verbal conflict (name-calling, teasing, arguing)

Tattling and blame-shifting

Jealousy and competition for attention

Unfair comparisons

Feeling like you can't give each child enough

Parent Coaching Focus:

Teaching conflict resolution skills

When to intervene vs let them work it out

Avoiding comparison and favoritism (even unintentional)

Meeting individual needs in age-appropriate ways

Fostering cooperation instead of competition

Understanding typical sibling dynamics by developmental stage

Behavioral Issues and Discipline

You've tried timeouts, taking away privileges, rewards charts, and nothing seems to work. Your child's behavior is getting worse, not better.

Common Discipline Challenges:

Inconsistent follow-through

Punishments that escalate but don't change behavior

Confusion about "positive parenting" vs permissiveness

Disagreements with partner about discipline

Feeling like you're always saying "no"

Losing patience and yelling (then feeling guilty)

Evidence-Based Discipline Strategies:

Natural and logical consequences

Positive reinforcement and "catch them being good"

Clear, consistent boundaries with age-appropriate expectations

Time-in (connection) vs time-out (isolation)

Collaborative problem-solving

Understanding behavior as communication

Repairing after conflict (reconnection rituals)

ADHD, Anxiety, and Neurodevelopmental Challenges

Your child has ADHD, anxiety, autism, sensory processing issues, or other neurodevelopmental differences—and traditional parenting strategies don't work.

What Makes Parenting Neurodivergent Children Different:

Typical rewards and consequences may not motivate

Executive function challenges affect follow-through

Sensory sensitivities create unexpected triggers

Social skills don't develop naturally

Transitions and changes are harder

Big emotions are more intense and frequent

Specialized Parent Coaching:

Accommodations vs enabling (where's the line?)

Visual schedules and organizational systems

Breaking tasks into manageable steps

Sensory strategies for regulation

Social skills coaching at home

Advocating for school accommodations

Managing your own stress as parent of neurodivergent child

Anxiety in Children

Your child worries excessively, avoids new situations, has frequent stomachaches or headaches, and clings to you.

How Anxiety Shows Up in Children:

Separation anxiety (school drop-off battles)

Social anxiety (refuses playdates, parties, speaking in class)

Perfectionism and fear of mistakes

Avoidance of new or challenging situations

Physical complaints (especially before school/activities)

Excessive reassurance seeking

Sleep difficulties

Irritability and meltdowns (anxiety often looks like behavior problems)

Parent Strategies for Anxious Children:

Validating feelings without reinforcing avoidance

Gradual exposure to feared situations

Teaching coping skills (breathing, self-talk)

Reducing accommodations that maintain anxiety

Managing your own anxiety (kids pick up on it)

When to seek individual child therapy vs parent coaching

§Developmental Stage-Specific Support

Toddlers (1-3 years)

Challenges: Tantrums, hitting, biting, boundary-testing, sleep issues, potty training, limited verbal communication

What We Address: Managing big emotions with limited language, setting age-appropriate boundaries, avoiding power struggles during transitions, understanding typical toddler development vs concerning behavior

Preschoolers (3-5 years)

Challenges: Defiance, aggressive play, social skills, emotional regulation, imagination vs lying, following multi-step directions

What We Address: Teaching emotional vocabulary, social skills coaching, balancing independence with safety, managing strong-willed preschoolers, screen time boundaries

School-Age (5-12 years)

Challenges: Homework battles, peer relationships, technology use, back-talk, chores, sibling conflict, emerging independence

What We Address: Building responsibility and accountability, emotion coaching during social challenges, supporting academic struggles, managing screen time, preparing for puberty conversations

Teens (12-18 years)

Challenges: Communication breakdowns, risk-taking, peer pressure, technology/social media, school stress, identity development, testing boundaries

What We Address: Staying connected while allowing autonomy, picking battles wisely, monitoring vs controlling, having hard conversations (substances, sex, mental health), supporting identity exploration

§Evidence-Based Parenting Approaches We Use

Collaborative & Proactive Solutions (CPS)

Developed by Dr. Ross Greene, this approach focuses on solving problems collaboratively with your child rather than using rewards/punishments.

Key Principles:

Kids do well if they can (behavior is lagging skills, not defiance)

Identify unsolved problems causing challenging behavior

Collaborate with child to find mutually satisfactory solutions

Build problem-solving skills while addressing behavior

Positive Parenting

Focuses on connection, mutual respect, and teaching rather than controlling.

Core Elements:

Strong parent-child relationship is foundation

Clear, consistent boundaries with warmth

Natural and logical consequences

Emotion coaching (validate feelings, set limits on behavior)

Teaching skills proactively

Modeling behavior you want to see

Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) Principles

Evidence-based for young children with behavior problems.

What We Teach:

Child-directed play (building connection)

Strategic attention (reinforce positive behavior)

Effective commands (clear, direct, enforceable)

Consistent follow-through

Praise and positive reinforcement

Emotion Coaching

Helping children understand, express, and manage emotions in healthy ways.

The 5 Steps:

  1. Become aware of child's emotion
  2. Recognize emotion as opportunity for connection and teaching
  3. Listen with empathy and validate
  4. Help child label emotions
  5. Set limits on behavior while problem-solving

§What Makes Parent Coaching Different from Therapy?

Parent Coaching:

Focuses on parent strategies and skills

Educational and skills-based

Typically shorter-term (8-16 sessions)

May include observation and in-the-moment coaching

Children may or may not attend sessions

Forward-focused (what to do differently)

Child Therapy:

Focuses on child's internal experience

Therapeutic relationship with child

May be longer-term

Child attends sessions (parents may join)

Addresses trauma, anxiety, depression in child

When You Might Need Both:

Child has significant mental health concerns (anxiety, depression, trauma)

Behavior is severe or dangerous

Parent strategies alone aren't sufficient

Child needs individual support alongside parent coaching

We'll help you determine the right level of care and can coordinate with child therapists when needed.

§How Parent Coaching Works

First Session: Comprehensive Assessment

Your primary parenting challenges and goals

Each child's temperament, strengths, and struggles

Family dynamics and routines

What you've already tried (what worked, what didn't)

Your own childhood experiences affecting current parenting

Parenting stress and self-care

Immediate strategies you can implement this week

Ongoing Sessions: Skill Building

Teaching evidence-based techniques

Watching video clips of parent-child interactions (optional)

Role-playing difficult scenarios

Homework assignments to practice between sessions

Troubleshooting what's not working

Adjusting strategies based on your family's unique needs

Partner sessions to align approaches

Session Format

Parent-Only Sessions: Most common, focuses on parent skills and strategies

Parent-Child Sessions: Observe interactions, coach in real-time, practice new skills together

Family Sessions: Address family dynamics, teach skills to multiple children at once

Duration

Most families see significant improvement in 8-12 sessions. Some continue longer for complex issues or periodic "tune-ups" during new developmental stages.

§Why Choose Bloom Psychology for Parent Support

Developmental and Behavioral Expertise

Dr. Jana Rundle has specialized training in:

Child development (all stages birth-18)

Parent-child attachment

Behavioral interventions

Emotion regulation coaching

Neurodevelopmental differences (ADHD, autism, anxiety)

Individualized, Not One-Size-Fits-All

We don't offer generic parenting scripts. Every family is unique:

Your child's temperament

Your family values and culture

Your parenting strengths and challenges

What's worked (or hasn't) for you

We tailor strategies to fit YOUR family, not force you into a rigid approach.

Non-Judgmental Support

Parenting is hard, and all parents struggle. We provide a shame-free space to:

Admit when you're overwhelmed

Share your worst parenting moments

Ask "stupid" questions (there are none)

Acknowledge ambivalent feelings about parenting

Get support without judgment

Partner Alignment

While not required, we strongly encourage both partners (if applicable) to participate. Inconsistent parenting creates:

Confusion for children

Marital conflict

Reduced effectiveness of strategies

"Good cop/bad cop" dynamics

We help partners get on the same page with shared values, strategies, and follow-through.

Flexible Options

In-Home Coaching: We observe real-life interactions in your environment

Telehealth: Convenient for busy families, can review video of challenging moments

In-Office: Our North Austin location offers a neutral space with toys and age-appropriate activities

Austin's Parent Coaching Specialists

Serving North Austin, Round Rock, Cedar Park, Georgetown, Pflugerville, and all of Texas via telehealth.

Non-Judgmental Support Parenting is hard, and all parents struggle.

Building Your Parenting Toolkit

1

Family Assessment

Identify current parenting challenges, family dynamics, and the unique temperaments of each family member.

2

Targeted Skill Building

Learn evidence-based techniques specific to your child's developmental stage and your family's values.

3

Implementation Support

Receive ongoing guidance as you apply new approaches, with adjustments based on what works for your unique family.

Key Benefits

Reduced Conflict

Decrease power struggles and increase cooperation through effective communication strategies.

Consistent Approach

Develop united parenting practices between all caregivers based on shared values.

Emotional Intelligence

Help children recognize, express, and manage their emotions in healthy ways.

Developmental Insight

Understand typical behavior at each age to set realistic expectations and appropriate boundaries.

Strengthened Connection

Maintain strong parent-child bonds even during challenging phases and transitions.

Caregiver Wellbeing

Prioritize your own mental health while meeting your family's needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

We're here to answer your questions about this service.

Do both parents need to participate?

While involvement from all primary caregivers is ideal, we can work effectively with just one parent. We'll provide tools to help align approaches even if not everyone participates directly. However, when both parents attend, you'll see faster progress because you're implementing consistent strategies, reducing marital conflict about parenting, and presenting a united front to your children.

Do you address specific issues like ADHD, anxiety, or defiance?

Yes, we provide specialized parenting strategies for children with various behavioral, emotional, and neurodevelopmental challenges. For ADHD, we teach organizational systems, task breakdown, and motivation strategies. For anxiety, we help you balance validation with exposure. For defiance, we address underlying needs and teach collaborative problem-solving. Every approach is tailored to your child's specific profile and developmental stage.

How long does parent coaching typically last?

Many families see significant improvements in 8-12 sessions, though this varies based on the complexity of challenges and consistency with implementing strategies between sessions. Some families benefit from occasional "booster" sessions during new developmental stages (starting school, puberty, teenage years) or after major life transitions (new sibling, divorce, move).

Do children attend the sessions?

Some sessions may include children for family observation or skill practice, while others focus exclusively on parent strategies. For young children (toddlers/preschoolers), we often observe parent-child interactions and coach in real-time. For older children and teens, we might include them for specific skill-building or family problem-solving. We'll design a format that best addresses your specific needs and goals.

What if my parenting partner and I disagree about how to handle things?

This is incredibly common and one of the most valuable reasons to seek parent coaching. We help partners identify shared values (what matters most to both of you), understand each other's parenting styles and triggers, find middle ground on discipline approaches, and develop strategies both partners can implement consistently. Disagreement doesn't mean one person is "right"—it means you need alignment.

Will you tell me I'm a bad parent?

Absolutely not. All parents struggle. All parents yell sometimes. All parents make mistakes. Parent coaching is a judgment-free space where you can admit the hard stuff without shame. We focus on what you're doing well (you have strengths even if you don't see them) and build on those while teaching new skills. You're not a bad parent—you're a parent who needs support, and that's courageous.

My child has been diagnosed with ADHD/autism/anxiety. Is parent coaching enough, or does my child need therapy too?

It depends on symptom severity and functioning. Parent coaching can be highly effective as a first step or standalone intervention for many children. However, if your child is significantly struggling emotionally (severe anxiety, depression, self-harm, trauma symptoms), has severe behavioral issues, or needs individual skill-building, they may benefit from their own therapy. We'll help you determine the right level of care and can coordinate with child therapists when both services are needed.

I've read all the parenting books and nothing works. How is this different?

Books provide general strategies, but they can't account for your specific child's temperament, your family dynamics, your triggers, and what you've already tried. Parent coaching is personalized—we observe your actual challenges, troubleshoot what's not working, adapt strategies in real-time, and provide accountability. Plus, books can't validate your experience or help you process your own childhood experiences that affect current parenting. This is individualized support, not generic advice.

How do I know if my child's behavior is "normal" or concerning?

This is one of our most common questions. We help distinguish between typical developmental behavior (toddler tantrums, preschooler defiance, teenage rebellion) versus red flags requiring evaluation. Generally, behavior is concerning if it's significantly more intense, frequent, or prolonged than peers, interferes with functioning (school, friendships, family life), causes significant distress for child or family, or involves harm to self/others. We provide developmental context to help you understand what's typical and when additional evaluation might be helpful.

Can parent coaching help with my child's school problems?

Yes. We address homework battles, school refusal, academic struggles, social difficulties, and behavior problems at school. We can help you communicate effectively with teachers, advocate for accommodations if needed, create homework routines that reduce conflict, teach organizational skills, and address underlying issues (anxiety, ADHD, learning differences) that affect school performance. While we don't work directly with schools, we equip you with strategies and language to be an effective advocate for your child.

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