Most of Parent Coaching’s sessions take place on the phone, or through Skype. How does this work?
Advantages to Online Phone-based Parent Coaching
- Ease – You can choose to have a phone coaching session from the place of your choosing. Feel safest in your home, at the park, or in the car? You choose the environment that is right for you.
- A gentler first step – It can require a lot of courage to ask for help. It is less scary to do so over the phone for many people.
- Anonymity – It can be easier to feel safe and open up to asking for the help you want over the phone. This can lead to deeper, more effective time together.
- Convenience and accessibility – You don’t have to drive to meet me. This saves you time and makes scheduling easier. And, hey, it’s more environmentally friendly to call rather than drive.
- Less stress about appearances – When you meet someone face to face, most people want to look the right way to be accepted. This includes clothing, hair styles, facial expressions and body language. When we connect over the phone, all of the visual distraction is eliminated.
- Research suggests it is just as effective – Several studies have come out looking at different forms of phone counseling and many therapists are publishing their experiences. From all of this research, it seems that therapy over the telephone can be just as effective as being in person.
Concerns and Solutions to Online Parent Coaching
- Concern: You may be so skeptical about receiving real support over the telephone, that you never reach out to make that first connection and see for yourself. An easy solution is to have a free consultation with one of our trained coaches. Talk with us about any questions and concerns. The initial consultation is always free leaving you with the possibility of a very big plus (becoming a happier, more effective parent) and no significant minus. Just a few minutes of your time. Ready? Request your free consultation.
- Concern: Being physically present with your coach may help you feel more connected with him or her.
Solution: Our view of coaching is that you are the expert. Our role is to help you find your expertise and apply it to your situation. Being alone with yourself during our sessions can actually increase your sense of self-responsibility and self-worth while still offering you support and a sense that you aren’t alone. Thus, this concern can, in reality, be an asset. - Concern: Some people feel safer letting themselves become emotional in the physical presence of another person.
Possible Solution: And some people don’t like how vulnerable they feel when someone else can see them cry or turn red from anger or curl up in the fetal position. There is a great deal of freedom with being able to take your own form of self-expression without worrying about how it looks to me or if it is in some way “ok”. For some, it’s a great idea to have a trusted friend or partner present during a call. This person is then there to provide silent support, including physical touch if requested, and to witness your work without having to be one talking you through it. This can be amazing and transforming and we highly recommend it for those wanting faster transformation. - Concern: Bad phone connections and other technical issues can interfere with phone sessions.
Solution: All possible care will be taken from our side to ensure that we have reliable equipment to help us connect with one another. In the event we are unable to form a coherent connection, we will determine an appropriate solution. This could easily include rescheduling, offering a free or discounted session, and troubleshooting the problem so that it does not occur in the future. Always let us know if you’re having trouble hearing and we will do the same.
What Research Shows Effectiveness of Phone-Based Coaching
There have been many studies on telephone counseling over the past 15 years. A recent study in the Journal of Counseling and Development showed that people are generally more satisfied with phone counseling than face-to-face counseling. A much higher percentage (93% for telephone compared to 63% for face-to-face) said they would seek counseling again. It also found that more than half (58%) of people who had experienced both phone and in-person counseling preferred phone. Ready?
Other studies found that people who are experiencing depression were less likely to drop out of telephone therapy and consistently showed improved mood. One such study was published in the Archives of General Psychiatry in 2005.