Relationship Matters Consultancy Inc. is an AOTA Approved Provider of professional development. Course approval ID# 13359. This distance learning – independent is offered at 1.4 CEUs, intermediate level, foundational knowledge and OT service delivery. The assignment of AOTA CEUs does not imply endorsement of specific course content, products, or clinical procedures by AOTA.
Do you wish your therapy sessions had a greater impact on a family’s daily life? Too often, therapeutic interventions fall short in making as lasting a difference as we would like because parents and caregivers don’t fully understand the rationale for their use, or they lack some of the basic skills (that can be coached) to integrate them into everyday routines.
When caregivers grasp the “why” of therapy and are equipped with simple, actionable strategies, sustainable change becomes possible. The therapeutic process becomes more effective, and the journey is more rewarding for everyone involved. To accomplish this shift, therapists require coaching skills to transfer the knowledge and skills to parents and caregivers in empowering ways.
This live-online workshop equips therapists with essential coaching skills to strengthen communication and foster collaboration. By empowering the key people in our clients’ lives, we can extend the benefits of therapy well beyond clinical settings and into their daily lives.
COURSE TITLE: COACHING CAREGIVERS: Building Sustainable Therapeutic Change
COURSE PROVIDER: Relationship Matters Consultancy, Inc
INSTRUCTOR / Speaker / Author: Kim Barthel, OTR, C/NDT, Advanced OT
TARGET AUDIENCE: OT, PT, SLP, CC, EDUCATORS, PSYCHOLOGISTS
INSTRUCTIONAL FORMAT: Live online lecture, Q&A, discussion groups
EDUCATIONAL LEVEL: Intermediate
PREREQUESITES: None
INSTRUCTIONAL METHODS: Live online lecture, Q&A, discussion groups
AOTA continuing education units (CEUs) and Contact Hours: 14 Contact Hours, 1.4 AOTA CEUs
SPECIAL NEEDS REQUESTS: Please contact hello@kimbarthel.ca if you are requiring modifications because of a documented disability.
PD ACTIVITY COMPLETION REQUIREMENTS: To successfully complete this course, you must certify you viewed the entire video or read the entire article, achieve a passing score of 70% on the posttest and complete the evaluation.
QUESTIONS? Contact hello@kimbarthel.ca
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
Describe the role of coaching within therapeutic settings, including its foundational principles and relevance to sustainable caregiver engagement and achievement of functional outcomes.
Identify the intrapersonal and interpersonal skills essential for impactful coaching, such as mindfulness, empathy, deep listening, and attunement.
Discuss the structured coaching tools and frameworks to support and empower caregivers in navigating relational dynamics and fostering growth-oriented conversations
Recognize collaboration within interdisciplinary systems, applying coaching strategies to support team-based planning and caregiver-professional partnerships.
Session 1: Foundations of Coaching in Therapy
Focus: Establishing a coaching mindset and framework
Objectives:
Define coaching and explain its relevance in therapeutic practice
Discuss the importance of coaching caregivers for sustainable change
List foundational principles of caregiver coaching
Identify key elements of an effective coaching process
Format:
Interactive lecture
Group discussion
Reflection activities
Session 2: The Self in the Coaching Relationship
Focus: Self-awareness and communication strategies for deep connection
Objectives:
Explore mindfulness, empathy, and self-care as tools for effective coaching
Recognize personal and client attachment adaptations
Practice deep listening, including attention to non-verbal cues
Define and reflect on attunement and co-regulation in caregiver interactions
Format:
Guided self-awareness activities
Dyad/triad role-play examples
Case study reflection
Session 3: Coaching Tools for Empowering Parents
Focus: Practical frameworks and tools to guide caregiver interactions
Objectives:
Introduce the Drama Triangle and its application in caregiver dynamics
Explain and apply the Experience Cube as a communication and reflection tool
Practice using both tools in real-life scenarios
Format:
Interactive Lecture
Demonstrations
Group debrief
Session 4: Collaborative Coaching Across Teams
Focus: Integrating coaching within interdisciplinary systems
Objectives:
Identify strategies for effective team collaboration
Discuss the therapist’s role in co-creating care plans with caregivers and professionals
Explore challenges and solutions in multi-disciplinary environments
Format:
Interactive Lecture
Mapping activity
Group discussion
COURSE DATES / TIMES
September 8th & 9th, 2025
September 15th & 16th, 2025
3.5 hours each day, 3-6:30 PM Pacific Time
Recording of each session via online course access for 365 days following the provision of the final class recording.
Pricing and Access:
EARLY BIRD: $599 CAD – UNTIL July 21st, 2025
July 22nd, 2025 REGULAR PRICE: $699 CAD
Due to the Marketplace Facilitator Tax laws rolling out across the US & Canada, sales tax will be applied to this price for Canadian and US citizens as applicable in each case, based on the registrant’s location of purchase and the type of course.
GROUP DISCOUNTS: 15% off for groups of 3-5, 25% off for groups of 6+, 40% off for groups of 20+.
FINANCIAL SUPPORT: Some financial support available (upon request) for people in developing countries (Countries at Category B @ 50% off, Category C @ 55% off, Category D @ 60% off). Financial assistance is also possible for individual registrants from Category A countries @ 25% off when truly needed.
Hosted by Relationship Matters
Financial Disclosure Statement
This course is solely organized and delivered by Relationship Matters Consultancy. There are no external sponsors, collaborators, or financial partners involved in the development or delivery of this course.
All registration fees and payments collected for participation in this course are received directly by Relationship Matters Consultancy and are used to support the administrative, instructional, and operational costs associated with the course.
In this course, Kim refers to the Safe and Sound Protocol, a product by Unyte. Kim currently serves on Unyte’s Clinical Advisory Board for which she does receive an annual honorarium, however, Kim does not receive financial renumeration in relation to the sales of Unyte's products.
Cancellation Policy
All cancellations for Continuing Education events must be submitted in writing via email to hello@kimbarthel.ca or by mail to Relationship Matters at 5239 Hanover Pl, Victoria, BC, V8Y 2C7 Canada. For cancellations received 14 days before the course date, the course fee will be returned, less a $50 USD administrative fee. Within 14 days of the course, no refunds will be made, however the registration may be transferred to a substitute participant at no cost.
For activity cancellation by the provider: Relationship Matters reserves the right to cancel or reschedule any coursedue to an insufficient number of registrants or other unforeseen circumstances. Under these circumstances,Relationship Matters reserves the right to offer either a credit to attend a future course, or a refund for the course.