Solutions Parenting Support reintroduces Jen Rapp-Sheridan, with an inside look into what makes her a great parent coach. Jen has extensive experience working with youth and the young adult population, taking on many different roles in therapeutic programing over the last 17 years, ranging from wilderness field staff, to residential management, and as a primary therapist.
She is eager to begin her parent coaching work and would like you to take a look into why she is passionate about her work with children and families and the skills and tools she hopes to offer families in need.
1. What drew you to Parent Coaching and transition work?
I believe when a child enters treatment, it is a symptom of struggles in the family system overall. Therefore, you can put any family member through treatment, and if they return to the same environment, even with a new skill set, the gains will be limited. When I started working in wilderness and residential, there seemed to be a gap in the amount of services the child in a program was receiving versus the amount the parents were getting at home. Parents struggled to implement their new tools once their kids returned home, and creating some support system for parents seemed as important as the treatment program itself. Helping parents learn to reconnect with their children and parent with confidence is a privilege, and something I believe helps the entire family system maximize the gains made throughout the therapeutic treatment process.
2. What experience do you bring to the Solutions Parenting Support team?
I have had many roles in several therapeutic programs over the last 17 years, ranging from wilderness field staff, to residential management, and as a primary therapist. I understand both sides of the day-to-day operations in a variety of settings. I believe the parent child relationship, albeit challenging at times, has the power to help us grow and work towards the best versions of ourselves every day. Because of this, I am direct with feedback and guidance, while being understanding and non-judgmental. I understand most parents are exhausted and defeated by the time they are reaching out to an educational consultant for help. I try to normalize their emotional responses and help them heal from the turmoil they have been experiencing.
3. What are the top 3 tools or skills you would like to see parents walk away with after you have worked with them?
A greater ability to slow down and look at the Big Picture. Kids are great at making parents feel like their emergency is also their parent’s emergency. The more parents can slow down, the easier it becomes to make well thought out decisions about how to respond to their children in stressful times. I would also hope parents to leave with a sense of confidence in their parenting and decision making. It is not easy to disappoint our kids, but sometimes when we look at the long term picture, we have to make hard decisions and stick with them, even when it might make the short term uncomfortable. Finally, I hope parents leave with a more reciprocal rewarding relationship with their children. I think this comes from forgiveness of past actions, a deeper understanding of who our children are as individuals, separating actions from the person, and learning to live together again as a family without fear.
About Solutions Parenting Support
Solutions Parenting Support, LLC is a nationally recognized parent support and transitional program assisting families during and after wilderness therapy treatment and/or residential treatment programming. With business offices in Steamboat Springs, CO and Tucson, AZ the team is supporting parents and families in the United States and around the globe. The team of parent coaches and transitional specialists are family system focused, licensed professional therapists and/or licensed social workers with a combined 40+ years of experience working in wilderness therapy programs, varying levels of residential treatment programming and transitional support.