Adoptive/Foster Parent Coaching
Parenting is one of life's greatest joys—and one of its greatest challenges. Every parent wants the very best for their child, but raising a child who has experienced trauma, foster care, or adoption often requires specialized knowledge and support. At Matters of the Heart Counseling, LLC, we provide compassionate, practical parent coaching designed specifically for adoptive and foster families throughout Lancaster, Lebanon, York, and Dauphin Counties.
Our parent coaching services are led by Elaine Shenk, M.S., a certified Mental Health Coach with more than 30 years of personal and professional experience in adoption. As an adoptive parent herself, Elaine understands the unique challenges families face and is able to offer something many professionals cannot: the reassurance of someone who can genuinely say, "I've been there."
Whether you're navigating attachment concerns, challenging behaviors, identity questions, or the everyday realities of parenting children with a history of trauma, Elaine provides practical tools, encouragement, and individualized guidance to help your family thrive.
What Is Parent Coaching?
Parent coaching is a collaborative, goal-focused service that equips parents with effective strategies to strengthen family relationships and confidently address everyday challenges. Unlike traditional therapy, which focuses on diagnosing and treating mental health concerns, coaching emphasizes education, practical problem-solving, and skill development.
Coaching sessions are tailored to your family's unique needs and draw from evidence-based, trauma-informed approaches, including:
- Trust-Based Relational Intervention® (TBRI®)
- Dyadic Developmental Practice (DDP)
- Attachment-focused parenting strategies
- Trauma-informed interventions designed specifically for adoptive and foster families
Our goal is to help parents build stronger connections with their children while creating a home environment where everyone feels safe, understood, and supported.
Benefits of Parent Coaching
Families often experience greater confidence and hope as they learn to:
- Better understand the impact of trauma, loss, and adoption on child development and behavior
- Strengthen attachment and parent-child connection
- Develop practical parenting strategies that promote cooperation and emotional regulation
- Improve communication with children of all ages
- Respond to challenging behaviors with empathy, consistency, and confidence
- Navigate each stage of the adoption journey with greater understanding and support
Pricing & Scheduling
Every adoptive family or child currently receiving ongoing therapy at Matters of the Heart Counseling is eligible for one complimentary consultation with Elaine.
For families beginning parent coaching:
- Initial Consultation (60 minutes): $115
- Ongoing Coaching Sessions (60 minutes): $105
The initial consultation allows Elaine to learn about your family's strengths, current challenges, and goals. If additional support is desired, ongoing coaching sessions can be scheduled. Weekly sessions are recommended initially, though biweekly sessions may also be effective depending on your family's goals.
Please note that parent coaching is an educational and supportive service. It is not psychotherapy and does not include court reports, custody evaluations, or court appearances.
Payment & Financial Assistance
Parent coaching is a self-pay service.
Financial assistance may be available through organizations that offer grants or funding for adoptive family support. We are happy to provide information about these resources.
Families may also be eligible to use Pennsylvania's Post Permanency Services funding to help cover parent coaching. If you are not currently receiving Post Permanency services, please contact SWAN (Statewide Adoption and Permanency Network) at 1-800-585-SWAN. Families are free to choose their service provider, and Matters of the Heart Counseling will gladly coordinate with your selected agency.
Take the Next Step
Parenting a child with a history of trauma or adoption can feel overwhelming at times, but you don't have to navigate the journey alone. With compassionate guidance, practical tools, and support from someone who understands both professionally and personally, you can build stronger relationships and greater confidence in your parenting.
If you're an adoptive or foster parent in Lancaster, Lebanon, York, or Dauphin Counties, we'd be honored to walk alongside you.
To schedule a consultation or learn more about parent coaching, contact Elaine Shenk at Elaine@mohinfo.com