Gestalt Parent Coaching©: A New Model for Intervening In Family Systems

Gestalt Parent Coaching (GPC)© is a new application of the Gestalt coaching model (Simon, 2009, 2012) that specifically focuses on working with families. In the GPC Model, parents are the primary clients of the coach and are encouraged and supported in becoming change agents on behalf of their children. The adults learn safely to explore, practice, and acquire new and more effective ways of behaving as parents. This article presents the GPC model, traces its roots in Gestalt theory, compares and contrasts it with organizational coaching, and gives concrete examples of Gestalt principles in the practice of GPC.