The Importance of Working with an NGLCC-Certified Parenting Coach: Supporting LGBTQIA+ Families

In the last 30 years, more and more youth have come to openly identify within the LGBTQIA+ community. There is more visibility, awareness, and information surrounding sexual orientation and gender identity than ever before (thanks in large part to the rise of the internet), and the result is that more young people are coming out at an earlier age.

That’s why it’s more important than ever to ensure that, as a parent, you understand:

• the needs and challenges of children who identify as LGBTQIA+
• the importance of providing them with a supportive, understanding home environment
• how you can get the support you need with LGBTQIA+ parenting by getting the right kind of family coaching

Family Coaching Can Address The Unique Needs And Experiences of LGBTQIA+ Parenting

We've come a long way in the last few decades, but children who fall under the umbrella of LGBTQIA+ still face challenges and experiences as a result of their identity that cis-gendered and heterosexual children simply don’t:

• Rejection
• Bullying
• Violence
• Discrimination

LGBTQIA+ youth face a higher rate of rejection, bullying, violence, and discrimination (at home and in the community). As a result of the fear, stress, and lack of support, they are at higher risk for depression, anxiety, substance abuse, and even death by suicide.

That’s why, with LGBTQIA parenting, it’s essential to:

• Understand what challenges your child may face
• Acknowledge your own needs and feelings
• Create a safe and supportive environment
• Understand how to advocate for your child
• Teach them to advocate for themself

It’s important to note that identifying as LGBTQIA+ does not pose a risk to your child’s mental health. The risk comes from the negative experiences many of these youth face.

COVID-19 took a very large toll on the mental health of many children, as they were isolated from support networks like their friends, teachers, and other adult role models.

New trans- and homophobic legislation from the U.S. government has increased stigma and (in some states) prevents parents from providing gender-affirming healthcare for their children. 

Even some of the biggest brands in the U.S., like Target and Bud Light have recently made decisions that have negatively impacted the LGBTQIA+ community after backlash from antiLGBTQ groups.

• Target has removed inclusive clothing from its stores.
• Bud Light has been boycotted after partnering with transgender actress Dylan Mulvaney.

That's why, with the current political environment and harm to the collective LGBTQIA+ psyche, it’s critical to get the right kind of family coaching.

An NGLCC-certified parenting coach can provide guidance and tailored support to address the needs of LGBTQIA+ children and parents.

To be certified by the NLGCC, a business must be primarily LGBTQ-owned. Trusting your parent coaching to a professional with NLGCC certification means you get someone in your corner who understands your needs as a parent to an LGBTQIA+ child, and has access to resources that other coaches simply don’t have, and may not know about.

Parent Coaching: Why Choose An NGLCC-Certified Coach?

Working with a parenting coach who understands the specific needs and concerns of the LGBTQIA+ community offers many advantages.

An NGLCC-Certified parenting coach can help address parenting struggles by offering: 

• An inclusive and affirming environment. Parents can openly discuss their concerns, challenges, and experiences related to raising LGBTQIA+ children.

• Tailored, sensitive guidance. Get informed and relevant advice that keeps your family’s needs and experiences at the top of mind and provides tailored support that fosters your child’s self-esteem, well-being, and resilience.

• Access to resources. A coach can connect you to resources like support groups, educational materials, and professional networks for the LGBTQIA+ community.

• Improved communication and support. Get the help you need to develop effective communication strategies that promote understanding, empathy, and respect within your family.

• Help with navigating transitions. Change can be difficult to navigate, and a parenting coach can help with coming out, transitioning, and forming relationships.

• Advocacy development and learning to address stigma and biases. Learn how to be a better ally to your LGBTQIA+ child and advocate for their rights and needs, as well as resolve biases or stigmas you may hold and provide strategies for combating discrimination your child could face. 

Ultimately, a parenting coach with NGLCC certification can help you create strong, loving, and accepting family relationships that help your child thrive.

An LGBTQIA+ Parenting Coach You Can Count On

If we haven’t met yet, I’m Sarah Salisott, the Founder and Owner of Foster Lane Parent Coaching.

I am an NGLCC-certified parent coach whose mission and passion are to help families with children going through trauma and attachment struggles and help families avoid the same parenting struggles that my family faced.

I’m a member of the LGBTQIA+ community and started The Foster Lane Parent Coaching (certified as an LGBT business through the National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce) in 2016 armed with my extensive training in trauma, childhood brain development, and parenting strategies.

I’ve completed the Parent Coaching Institute®’s Parent Coach Certification and the initial training in Theraplay®, a child and family therapy approach that focuses on building and supporting healthy child/caregiver attachment. As a lifelong learner, I continually further my knowledge by attending conferences about trauma-informed parenting to help caregivers to understand the impact of trauma on their child and adjust their parenting methods in response to their child’s needs.

I’ve also been on the ground level where you are, and my experience and training are my secret weapon that can help you overcome the parenting struggles you’re facing.

Armed with my therapy dog (in training) Uni, I meet with you once per week via Zoom to address those struggles.

My approach to family coaching is:

• Collaborative. Who knows your family like you do? No one! That’s why your input and expertise are critical to addressing your LGBT parenting struggles, and I will become a partner who will motivate you and guide you along the path.

• Future-Forward. Let’s begin with the end in mind. If your ultimate goal is to help your LGBTQIA+ child develop coping strategies around bullying, that’s the campfire we will build our time together around.

• Actionable. Wishy-washy, unclear steps and milestones just don’t work. Clear, action-oriented steps will help keep you on the right track toward your goal.

• Strengths-focused. I will help you identify your strengths, resources, and skills so that we can use them effectively, which will help maintain a positive, growth-oriented outlook.

• Customizable. Every LGBTQIA+ family has a unique set of struggles and experiences to overcome and needs different kinds of support. I will assess your needs and build my coaching approach so that you and your family get exactly what you need from our time together. 

LGBTQIA+ parenting brings struggles and has unique needs that traditional parent coaching, quite simply, is not equipped to handle.

Raising your child and supporting them if they identify as LGBTQIA+ is an important enough job to do well, so bringing in the help of an NGLCC-certified parent coach is imperative to navigating these turbulent waters.

I strongly encourage you to seek the support and resources you need to create the nurturing and affirming environment your child needs to thrive. They’re out there if you know where to look (and have a parenting coach in your corner).

With my experience and training as an NGLCC-certified parent coach, I can help provide you with the support you need to get through the challenges ahead, with specialized guidance and support tailored to the unique needs of your LGBTQIA+ family. Learn more about how we can work together at https://www.thefosterlane.com/lgbtqia. Together, we can create a future where your child feels valued, accepted, and loved for who they are.