Have you ever Googled “parent coach near me” after a terrible day with your kids? 

In fact, is that how you landed here? {wink, wink}

Or is the concept of “parent coach” or “parent coaching” not even on your radar? 

Either way, if you’re a parent wishing you had a magical charm to make your child behave, you’re in the right place.  

The parent coaching industry is growing and you don’t want to miss out. 

When I started my practice in 2010, most people didn’t even know parent coaching was a thing – at least not until they needed help that went beyond books, blogs, therapy, and unsolicited advice from family and friends.

If you have a child who doesn’t listen, acts out or has confusing behaviors – and you want to feel more confident, then a certified parent coach can be an incredible addition to your support circle. 

But how do you actually find someone who’s a good fit for you?

Here’s what to look for (and what to avoid) when searching for parent coaching near you. I’ll also share why working remotely with a great coach might actually be better than someone who lives down the street.

What Is a Parenting Coach?

In case this is new to you, a parenting coach is a trained professional who supports parents through common (and not-so-common) challenges at home. Unlike therapy, which often dives into the past and focuses on your healing, coaching is about coming up with a strategy and figuring out what works to change your daily routines. 

A certified parent coach will help you:

• Understand what’s driving your child’s frustrating behaviors.
• Respond in ways that strengthen your relationship and extinguish negative behavior
• Build a parenting approach that fits your child’s unique wiring and your family’s needs
• Stay calm and confident, even when your child is pushing your buttons

Parent coaching isn’t a good idea if you’re looking to turn your child into a perfect angel, but if you want to feel more capable parenting the child you have, this is a great time to find a parent coach you love.

Does It Matter If the Coach Is Local?

Maybe. But probably not.

If you’re looking for someone to meet in person, of course, you’ll want to focus on coaches in your area, but most parent coaching near me searches will turn up online options too, which is great. 

Many of the best parent coach professionals work entirely online and offer a combination of private and group sessions, which means you can:

• Work with someone who specializes in your child’s needs, developmental stage, gender, or unique struggles, even if they live in another state
• Schedule sessions around your life (lunch break, carpool, naptime)
• Save time by logging in from where you are and not driving to an appointment.

I’ve been coaching parents virtually since 2010, long before Zoom was trendy, and I can assure you: meaningful, effective parent coaching doesn’t require in-person sessions. 

What to Look for in a Parent Coach

If you’re searching “parenting coach near me” and feeling overwhelmed, here are a few things to consider:

1. Certification and Training

Anyone can call themselves a coach. Look for someone with formal training from a recognized program. I’m certified through Seattle Pacific University’s Parent Coaching Institute, and I have a Master’s Degree in Social Welfare (MSW) from UC Berkeley, where I specialized in Children and Family Services. I wrote my master’s thesis on the effectiveness of parent education in reducing child abuse. Before I became a parent coach, I was a Child Welfare Worker.   

2. Experience with Kids Like Yours

Is your child unique in some way? Strong-willed? A sensitive boy? A neurodivergent kid with ADHD, autism, or sensory challenges? Find a coach who specializes in that area or at least has significant practical (not theoretical) experience. The Boy Mom Method, for example, was developed specifically for moms of boys navigating emotional intensity, executive functioning struggles, and daily power struggles. Not only do I have experience as a mom of 3 boys, but I’ve helped hundreds, if not thousands, of moms (clients and students) of boys with a range of behavioral challenges. 

3. Values That Match Yours

Some coaches focus heavily on discipline. Others on attachment parenting. Some are very structured, while others (like me) aim for flexibility, collaboration, and meeting the family where they are. To find a coach that fits, read their blog and review their social media accounts. You can usually book a free consultation to meet the parent coach and see if you’re a personality fit.

I also offer parents the opportunity to skip the consultation and jump straight to a low-cost coaching session. That way, you can get a taste of what it’s like to work with me and walk away with an actual plan. 

4. A Structure That Works for You

Aside from finding someone who feels safe and supportive (never judgmental), it’s wise to look at each coach’s model and find out what they recommend for you. For example, what combination of these do they offer and recommend for your situation:  

• Private coaching sessions (a single laser session or a package of sessions) 
• Group coaching sessions (small group coaching or large Q&A model) 
• Office Hours
• On-demand text support (for those SOS moments) 
• Self-paced resources (recordings, worksheets, implementation tools)
• A community aspect (e.g., a Facebook or WhatsApp group) 

Some of my clients only want private sessions while others opt into my Boy Mom Academy Membership program and get all of the above. It really depends on your style, your needs, and your ideal coach’s offerings and availability.  

When Coaching Makes the Biggest Difference

Parent coaching is especially helpful if:

• You’ve tried all the traditional advice, and it hasn’t worked
• You sound like your mother and swore you never would
• Your child is going through a rough patch, and you don’t know how to help
• You lack conviction and feel like a failure

What About the Cost?

Not gonna lie. Coaching is an investment, and it’s okay to name that. Some coaches offer packages, sliding scales, or group programs to make it more affordable. I offer a mix of private sessions and a group program called The Boy Mom Academy, which makes getting help accessible to people who can’t afford a one-on-one coach or want to get to know me before making a larger investment.

If you’re considering coaching, don’t be afraid to ask for options at different price points. Most of us want to make this doable for the families who need it most.

Final Thoughts

Your perfect coach might not live in your town, but they will be able to help you find a way forward and partner with you while you figure out your next move.

So go ahead. Type “parent coach near me” if that’s what brought you here. But know that the right coach for your family may be just a Zoom link away.

FAQs

Q: Will the parent coach also meet with my children?

Not usually. Instead of meeting with your child (who doesn’t know or trust us), we train you to build a foundation of trust and respect with your child so that you can have the most influence on them possible. We’ll work together to develop scripts and strategies that leverage your child’s unique strengths and your family values. Then, we’ll reconnect to see what worked, what didn’t, and what to do next.     

Q: Do I need to live nearby to work with you?

Nope! I work with families from all over the world via Zoom, WhatsApp, and a handy online portal. You don’t need to leave your house to get help.

Q: Are you a certified parent coach?

Yes. I’m certified through Seattle Pacific University’s Parent Coaching Institute and also have a master’s degree in social services. I’ve been coaching parents since 2010 and have three strong-willed boys of my own.