Depression can be a normal part of life, especially in response to experiences in which goals go unmet and expectations are not fulfilled. Such reactions, however, tend to be short-lived. When depression, low mood and other associated symptoms such as mood dysregulation, general discontent, guilt, hopelessness, loss of interest or pleasure in activities, mood swings, agitation, excessive crying, irritability, restlessness, or social isolation last for more than two weeks many seek professional support. At its more extreme, depression can lead to the inability to participate in daily self care activities, or to thoughts of self harm.

How can a parent coach help a parent support their child with depression?

First, it is important to note that a parent coach is not a mental health professional treating depression as a part of the coaching relationship, and therapeutic support should be pursued for severe symptoms. A parent coach can collaborate with members of your therapeutic team treating your child's depression, so that they can help you best support your child. Your coach helps you to understand how your childʻs diagnosis may be affecting their daily life and they will help you set up routines to compassionately interrupt the patterns that may lead to the dysfunction you may be experiencing in the family system. Your coach helps you to shift your interactions, responses and household structure to better support your child physically and emotionally as they manage the complex process of navigating depression.

How can a parent coach help a parent manage their own depression?

When a child is struggling it is natural for a parent to feel guilty, hopeless and generally down, at least from time to time. If this becomes persistent it may be advised that a parent seeks out their own therapeutic support for a parent of this process. A parent coach can not diagnose your depression, but can help you to identify when some of the associated feelings or behaviors may be getting in the way of effective parenting, and will help you to build the skills needed to stay present and engaged at difficult junctures.

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