Parent Support & Coaching
Providing parents and caregivers the opportunity and skills to support their children toward wellness.
Note on Availability: To ensure a high level of clinical focus for each family, our parent support and EFFT coaching services are currently at full capacity. We continue to welcome new families to join our waitlist for both in-person and virtual sessions. Please see below for details on how we bridge the gap while you wait.
Empowering Parents Across Coquitlam & British Columbia
Let’s be honest: parenting in today’s world is relentless. Whether you are navigating a new diagnosis, struggling with your child's emotional outbursts, or feeling disconnected from your teen, you don't have to do it alone. At Strong River Counselling, our parent support services are designed to move you from a place of frustration to a place of empowered, calm leadership.
Whether you join us at our Coquitlam clinic or via secure virtual sessions from anywhere in BC, we will work together to build a calmer, more connected home We believe that when a parent is supported, the entire family unit begins to heal.
Specialized Parenting Strategies for Complex Needs
Every family is unique, which is why we don't believe in "one-size-fits-all" advice. Our clinical approach to parent coaching focuses on:
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Emotional Regulation for Caregivers: Learning how to stay regulated when your child is dysregulated.
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Neuro-Affirming Parent Support: Specialized guidance for families navigating ADHD, Autism (ASD), and sensory processing differences.
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Effective Boundary Setting: Transitioning from "power struggles" to collaborative problem-solving.
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Support for Life Transitions: Navigating the complexities of co-parenting, divorce, or blending families.
Looking for specific skills? Learn more about our Parenting Support & Coaching
While we work together on parenting strategies, your child may also benefit from having their own dedicated space to process emotions. Our Child Therapy & Play Therapy services offer a creative environment where children can express what they might not yet have the words for
The EFFT Framework: Your Roadmap to Connection
We utilize Emotion-Focused Family Therapy (EFFT), a powerful modality that identifies parents as the primary agents of healing. EFFT isn't about "fixing" your child; it’s about giving you the skills to:
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Emotion Coach: Help your child navigate intense feelings so they don't have to act them out.
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Repair Bonds: Learn how to apologize and reconnect after difficult moments.
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Transform Blocks: Identify the "fears" or "shame" that sometimes get in the way of parenting the way you want to.
How Parent Coaching Complements Child Therapy
While we often work directly with children, parent support is the engine of long-term change. In these sessions, we "pull back the curtain" on developmental psychology. We help you understand the why behind your child's behavior and give you the specific language and tools to use at the dinner table, in the car, and during bedtime routines.
Through Attachment-Based Coaching and Emotion-Focused (EFFT) techniques, we help you strengthen the bond with your child, ensuring that the progress made in the clinic continues at home.
What to Expect: In-Person or Virtual Support
Every family has a different rhythm. We offer two ways to access professional support, both managed through my secure, easy-to-use Cliniko booking system.
In-Person Sessions (Coquitlam Office)
We meet at our specialized clinic at 3030 Lincoln Ave. These sessions offer a dedicated "neutral ground" away from the distractions of home.
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The Environment: A calming, private office in the heart of the Tri-Cities.
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Best For: Local families in Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, and Port Moody who value the physical presence and focused energy of an in-office appointment.
Virtual Sessions (Across British Columbia)
We connect via Cliniko’s secure, telehealth video platform.
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The Technology: No complex software to download. You simply click a secure link in your appointment reminder to join from your computer or tablet.
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The Benefit: Expert EFFT and neuro-affirming support for parents living anywhere in BC, from Vancouver to the interior, without the stress of a commute.
Is Parent Support the Right Fit for Your Family?
Check if any of these resonate with your current experience:
The "Walking on Eggshells" Feeling:
Do you feel like you have to monitor your actions to avoid a child’s meltdown?
The Discipline Gap:
Are you and your partner on completely different pages when it comes to consequences and boundaries?
Parental Burnout:
Do you find yourself reacting with anger or "checking out" because you’re emotionally exhausted?
The "Why" Mystery:
Do you feel confused by your child's behavior and wish you had a "manual" to understand what they are trying to communicate?
If you checked two or more of these boxes, you aren't failing—you're just at the edge of your current toolkit. Let’s add some new tools. By joining the waitlist today, you will receive immediate access to the Strong River Resource Package, designed to provide you with foundational EFFT strategies and co-regulation scripts to use at home while waiting for your first session.
FAQ: Parent Coaching & EFFT
What is the difference between parent coaching and child therapy?
While child therapy focuses on the child's internal world, parent coaching in Coquitlam focuses on the family environment and the caregiver's response. At Strong River Counselling, we use coaching sessions to "pull back the curtain" on your child’s development. We provide you with a specific "roadmap" to handle big behaviours, school refusal, and emotional outbursts. By working with a Parent Coach, you learn the specific language and tools to ensure the progress made in the clinic continues at the dinner table and during bedtime routines.
How does EFFT for parents work in real life?
EFFT (Emotion-Focused Family Therapy) identifies you as the primary agent of your child’s healing. In our sessions, we focus on four pillars: Emotion Coaching (validating feelings), Behaviour Coaching (setting firm boundaries), Relationship Repair (healing bonds after conflict), and identifying Parental Emotion Blocks. This model is especially effective for parents of children with severe symptoms like eating disorders, anxiety, or depression, as it gives you a concrete role in your child's recovery process.
Can you help with parenting strategies for ADHD and Autism?
Absolutely. We provide specialized neuro-affirming parent support for families navigating ADHD, Autism (ASD), and sensory processing differences. Rather than using outdated "compliance-based" models, we help you understand your child’s unique nervous system. Our goal is to move you from a place of "walking on eggshells" to a place of calm, confident leadership where you can support your neurodivergent child without the constant power struggles.
Do I need to be located in the Tri-Cities to access parent support?
While our physical clinic is located at 3030 Lincoln Ave in Coquitlam, we offer virtual parent support across all of British Columbia. Using a secure telehealth platform, we provide the same high-level EFFT methodology and coaching to families from Vancouver to the Interior. Virtual sessions are often preferred by busy parents as they eliminate commute stress and allow for focused, "neutral ground" support from the comfort of your own home.
Get the support you need by working with our experienced registered therapists
Ready to find a calmer path forward? While the practice is currently at capacity, we invite you to join the Strong River Waitlist.
Once a recurring time slot becomes available that matches your availability (whether in Coquitlam or virtually across BC), we will reach out to schedule your complimentary 15-minute consultation. We look forward to walking alongside your family.
"EFFT privileges the caregiver's role as an active agent of healing, regardless of their loved one's age or motivation for change, and even when caregivers present with difficult behaviors or emotional challenges of their own." - Adele Lafrance