Helping parents and carers support children during moments of emotional distress
This research-based approach fosters empathy, emotional regulation, and harmony, ultimately helping families become calmer and more connected. Our programme provides professionals with an effective tool to recommend to parents and carers who may need support in managing their child’s emotions and behaviours.
What is Emotion Coaching?
Emotion Coaching is a naturalistic parenting approach that has been proven to positively impact children’s emotional and physical health, their capacity for empathy, and their ability to build strong social relationships. Research by Dr. John Gottman identified that parents who use Emotion Coaching help their children to understand and regulate their emotions, leading to long-term benefits in their well-being and behaviour.
This approach works for both everyday challenges and more significant emotional difficulties, providing parents and carers with strategies to respond to their children’s emotions in a way that validates their feelings while setting appropriate limits and encouraging problem-solving.
What Does the Programme Cover?
The Emotion Coaching programme provides a structured and supportive space for parents and carers to:
- Understand how children’s brains develop and function at different stages.
- Explore how children experience a range of emotions and how emotions are expressed through behaviours.
- Learn practical strategies for identifying emotions, co-regulating their child’s emotional state, and helping them feel safe, secure, and understood.
- Discover techniques for limit-setting and guiding behaviour in a compassionate and effective way.
- Work with children to resolve issues and repair relationships following emotional distress.
The key focus is on co-regulation – supporting children to understand and manage their emotions with the guidance of a trusted adult, which in turn helps them develop greater empathy, resilience, and responsibility over time.
Programme Delivery Options
We offer two flexible programme options to suit the needs of parents and carers:
- Virtual Group Programme: A 5-week online programme with weekly evening sessions (50-60 minutes each).
- Face-to-Face One-Day Programme: A full-day group session delivered in person.
Both programmes include an initial assessment call and up to three one-on-one coaching sessions, allowing parents to receive personalised support in applying Emotion Coaching to their own family circumstances.
Who Can Benefit?
Emotion Coaching is suitable for all families, regardless of background or parenting style. Every child can benefit from an approach that increases harmony, cooperation, and calmness at home.
While the group programme is ideal for families to learn and share experiences together, we recognise that some families may require a one-on-one approach. During the initial assessment call, we explore each family’s unique needs and, if necessary, recommend a tailored 1:1 coaching pathway through the 0-19 Service.
How to Make a Referral
Professionals working with families can recommend Emotion Coaching as a valuable resource for parents and carers.
To refer a client or for more information about the programme:
- Contact us directly: hpell@reach.org.uk
Referrals are reviewed weekly on Friday mornings, and families will receive an email with available dates and venues for upcoming programmes.
Emotion Coaching empowers parents and carers with the tools they need to support their children through emotional challenges, creating stronger, more resilient families. If you work with parents who may benefit, we encourage you to refer them today.