Caregiver Coaching
- You do not need to be an AlphaBee client
- Supervised Therapist or Clinical Supervisor
- From one hour a month
- Centre, home and online
Caregiver coaching works directly with you rather than with your child. A senior clinician helps you better understand your child's behaviour and builds practical strategies you can use at home, in the community and when situations become difficult.
What is caregiver coaching?
Caregiver coaching is consultation for the adults supporting a child, rather than direct therapy for the child. You meet with a Supervised Therapist or Clinical Supervisor who helps you understand the behaviour, develop practical strategies, and coach you on how to use them day to day.
It can be a good fit when a child is not currently in therapy, is waiting for services, has finished therapy, or when concerns are happening mainly at home. Coaching can also involve grandparents, educators or other caregivers.
Your child does not have to be our client
Your child does not need to be enrolled in an AlphaBee program to access caregiver coaching.
You can book caregiver coaching whether or not your child has ever been seen by AlphaBee, whether or not they have a diagnosis, and whether or not they are getting therapy somewhere else. If your child is with another provider, we will work alongside their current approach.
There is no obligation to become a client afterwards.
How it works
Start with an assessment. The assessment usually takes between one and six hours, depending on your child's needs. A Supervised Therapist or Clinical Supervisor gathers information to understand the behaviour, when it tends to happen and what may be contributing to it. You'll receive an initial report outlining the assessment findings and recommendations.
Then ongoing coaching. Sessions are typically one to two hours, with a minimum of one hour per month. Your clinician will recommend a schedule based on your family's needs and goals.
What happens in a coaching session? Sessions are practical and focus on what's happening in everyday life. You might review recent situations, learn and practice strategies, problem-solve what has or hasn't worked, or have the clinician observe an interaction and give feedback. The plan is adjusted as you try the strategies and as your child's needs change. Formal progress reports are completed every six months.
What it costs
Rates are per hour, and every hour is delivered by a Supervised Therapist or Clinical Supervisor.
| Centre or online | Home or community | |
|---|---|---|
| Assessment (1 to 6 hours) | $140 | $140 |
| Ongoing coaching | $120 | $140 |
Each coaching session includes an additional 30 minutes of billable preparation and goal-setting time.
After the assessment, we'll recommend an ongoing coaching schedule based on your family's needs.
These are AlphaBee's published rates. Before you begin, we'll confirm the expected assessment hours, recommended schedule and associated costs.
Often a good fit if
- Your child is on the waitlist and you would like support in the meantime
- Therapy has ended, but there are still skills or situations you want help with
- Concerns are happening mainly at home or in the community
- You've tried general strategies but need something more individualized
- Grandparents or other caregivers would benefit from using a consistent approach
- Your family and school team would benefit from more consistency in how concerns are supported
The details
- Who it's for
- Parents, grandparents, and other caregivers. Your child does not need to be an AlphaBee client
- Who you'll work with
- A Supervised Therapist or Clinical Supervisor, for every hour
- Where
- Any of our centres, your home, the community, or online
- Minimum commitment
- One hour a month, plus 30 minutes of preparation time
- Before you start
- An assessment lasting one to six hours
- Progress reviews
- A formal review of your child's plan every 6 months
- Funding
- OAP funding can be used. Caregiver coaching may also be covered by your extended health benefits. Check with your insurance provider before you start
Questions we get asked
Does my child need a diagnosis?
No. Coaching focuses on current behaviour, so you do not need to wait for a diagnostic assessment. Many of the families we coach are still on a waitlist. Services may be HST exempt with the required documentation. Without a diagnosis, HST applies.
My child is with another provider. Is that a problem?
No. We will work alongside your child's current provider and, with your permission, speak with them directly so everyone uses a consistent approach.
Is one hour a month enough?
For some families, yes, particularly once progress is underway and you mainly need guidance and review. For others it is not, and the clinician will recommend more time. One hour a month is the minimum, not a recommendation.
Can my child's grandparents come?
Yes. Behaviour is easier to change when everyone around a child responds the same way. Any regular caregiver is welcome to attend.
Do we have to come to a centre?
No. Coaching runs at our centres, in your home, in the community, or online. Ongoing coaching at home or in the community is charged at a higher rate than centre or online coaching, to cover clinician travel.
Do we have to enrol in therapy afterwards?
No. Caregiver coaching can be a standalone service, and many families use it on its own. It can also run alongside other services, such as one-to-one ABA or Social Skills. Parents are not always able to observe sessions, so dedicated coaching time helps them learn and practice strategies outside sessions. If we think your child would benefit from another service, at AlphaBee or elsewhere, we will let you know.
Where sessions happen
Coaching takes place at our centres, in your home or in the community. Online coaching is available wherever you are in Ontario.
Not ready to call yet?
Start with the free printables our clinical team uses with families. Free to download, no sign-up required.
Or read what happens next after you get in touch.
Start with a conversation
A 30-minute conversation about your child, your priorities and how we can help. We’ll walk you through our services, answer your questions and discuss next steps.
Book a consultation