Voices of Chaddock explain Family Coaching – Muddy River News

The Quincy-based leading expert in family relations is setting the standard in family coaching

QUINCY–Chaddock’s Developmental Trauma and Attachment Program® (DTAP) brings hope and healing to children and youth who have experienced severe trauma and struggle with attachment-related difficulties.

DTAP is delivered in a number of levels of intensity depending on the needs of the family, including In-Home Intensive (offered nationwide), Residential Treatment, Family Coaching and School Setting.

“Voices of Chaddock” is an immersive and virtual visit with the experts who are the frontlines of this proven method to improve family relations.

This month, meet Family Coach Sarah Goodapple and Associate Director of Client Services Marcia Ryan.

Both work at Chaddock’s 3001 Lindell Avenue location, the former Ellington School building.

The extended interview attached to this article gives parents and the community a chance to get to know the people whose passion is to help you and your loved ones.

Take this first step to a more joyous family experience by spending some time with the “Voices of Chaddock.”

“A lot of times, families will come to us and say: ‘You need to fix our kid.’ But that’s really not our approach,” Family Coach Sarah Goodapple can only smile when she talks about how Chaddock has innovated Family Coaching.

What was originally the English German College, Chaddock has evolved over the past 170 years and offers so much more than schooling and housing for struggling children.

Today it offers proven solutions that are recognized on a global scale for a basic framework that can be individualized for varying family dynamics.

“The child is part of a system, and we have to figure out what’s going on with the system,” Goodapple explained. “It’s up to the parents to make the main changes.”

Ryan, who has decades with Chaddock, likened it to a mobile, with its decorative and twirling objects.

“What happens is the child starts moving the mobile, and we want the parent to move the mobile,” Ryan said. “Instead of power struggles or ‘no, you can’t have that,’ let’s look at what choices you can offer.”

Ryan says start simple with which color cup your child uses and then progress to responsibilities such as keeping things clean.

“The big issue is cleaning up after themselves. ‘Do you want to clean up the table or clean up the living room?’ So, they have choices. They have control. And if they say, ‘I don’t want to do anything,’ you validate that, but say you have to do this. ‘You can choose to spray? Or choose to wipe?’ It gives the power there, so the struggle is not there.”

For families where home visits are not possible, the Lindell location offers comfortable surroundings where parents can relax and get the dialogue going. Family coaches can be part of the conversation or stand back and observe situations to pinpoint the key issues.

“Positive opposites are one of my favorite things to talk about,” Goodapple shared. “So often we say to kids, ‘stop running,’ or ‘don’t run.’ What you really need to say is the thing you want them to do. ‘Walk please,’ and other little ways of rephrasing the no to a yes.”

Both agree that it’s important to take care of the behaviors when kids are young for the best chances at breaking the cycle.

“If we intervene early, we can make real lasting change,” Goodapple added.

Goodapple says if money is a concern, they hope Family Coaching can be available to any family in need of support. “We at times have scholarships available, and have also made this more affordable through the years. Please call to see what options are available to your family.”

The number 217-222-0034.

The Family Coaching program is just $100 a session, with a commitment of at least five sessions, to fully and adequately examine the best strategy for each family.

“Parenting is tough and we know that,” Ryan acknowledged. “Families can get into a rough patch where it just seems to be a cycle of struggles, and they can’t get themselves out. So, family coaching can help you come up with strategies to break out of that cycle. We specialize in children with trauma and attachment issues. But what we have found is that our strategies work across the board.”

Chaddock has four locations: Its main campus is on 24th Street in Quincy. It also has a Carthage School location to serve children in Hancock County. It also has a foster care and adoption location in Quincy, in addition to the Lindell Avenue location highlighted here.

For more information, click here.