~ Bailey Shawley, M.Ed, CCTS-F, Specialized Parenting and Educational Consultant
So, you heard that I’m doing individual, parenting, family, and educational consulting and you have no idea what that means. It’s okay, a lot of people aren’t familiar with the concept of consulting outside of the business world; many have heard of coaching and counseling but not consulting. Honestly, consulting is a lot like coaching and counseling. I use evidence-based practices, knowledge of human behavior and motivation for change, coping skills, trauma-informed practices, and communication techniques to help people identify their challenges and set and work toward their personal and/or professional goals.
The most significant differences between coaching, counseling, and consulting are the credentials and requirements for each practice. Most coaches typically have a Bachelor’s Degree and then pay to complete an online coaching course. Mental health counselors’ credentials vary by their background and situation; for example, school counselors must have at least a Bachelor’s Degree and be certified as a school counselor. Mental health therapists typically have a Bachelor’s Degree and a Master’s Degree and have completed hundreds of hours of supervision to be licensed and certified to be mental health clinicians. Specialized consultants like myself fall in-between coaching and counseling. The majority of specialized consultants have Master’s Degrees and experience in the field in which they consult. In my case, I have more than twenty years of experience working with adolescents, parents, families, educators, administrators, and agencies as a secondary English teacher, an Instructional Coach, a school-based mental health counselor, and a Director of School-Based Services. I also penned hundreds of articles about parenting, education, and mental health as a professional freelance writer.
So, why see me instead of a life or wellness coach? I have more credentials and experience than most coaches. I also am trained and certified in trauma-informed practices and mental health practices, which I utilize with my clients in each session. The majority of coaches are not trained or certified in those practices. My Master’s Degree also is in Educational Development and Strategies, so my area of expertise in developing plans and implementing strategies is tailor-made for consulting with clients who want to identify their areas of weakness and strength and then set and work toward achieving their goals. And if you’re looking for wellness services, I am certified in Reiki Levels 1 and 2 and offer half-hour and full-hour Reiki sessions in addition to half-hour chakra readings.
And, why see me instead of a mental health clinician? Well, I’m actually not encouraging anyone to do that. People with mental health concerns or mental health diagnoses should see a mental health provider. In fact, I refer clients who meet diagnostic criteria or who need a therapist to those services, and often to my colleagues at Pine Creek Valley Wellness Center. My consulting services are for parents of kids who do not meet mental health diagnostic criteria but who have challenges with social, emotional, or academic issues or who are struggling to connect and communicate at home. My services also are designed for parents whose children do have a mental health diagnosis or challenge who want to gain a better understanding of that diagnosis and how to better support them at school and at home. And, I designed my consulting services for families who may not yet meet criteria for family-based services or who are on a lengthy waiting list for those services. My consulting services also are for individuals who do not yet meet the criteria for a mental health diagnosis and cannot yet see a mental health provider, or who want to meet with someone qualified in trauma-informed practices and educational strategies to help them achieve their goals. The services at B Connecting, LLC are meant for people as an “in addition to” service – clients can see me in conjunction with a mental health provider, as I do not diagnose or accept insurance for payment.
Someone asked me the other day why I decided to start B Connecting, LLC, instead of remaining in my position as Director of School-Based Services. My answer is not a simple one, especially when it is so difficult to start a business right now. During my 20+ years of working with local students, families, agencies, and educators, I have seen an increasing need for parenting and educational support in our area. Specifically, I encountered families who required support in emotional regulation, trauma, communication, routines, co-parenting, transitions, healthy conflict resolution, appropriate expectations and consequences, self-esteem, challenging behaviors, and social, educational, and emotional challenges. Our mental health providers, outreach workers, social workers, case managers, school counselors, and other human service providers are stretched so thinly that they cannot do it all, especially as the staffing shortages continue. With B Connecting, LLC, I hope to help fill the gap and provide the additional support and education that individuals, parents, guardians, caregivers, and foster families need. Here’s the simple answer: I care about the individuals, kids, and families in our community, and I realized I could offer a new and different way to provide support.
If you’re ready to see if consulting is right for you and/or your family, reach out. Initial consultations are free of charge and can be scheduled online or in-person. You can schedule by calling 1-814-503-0892, emailing BConnectingLLC@gmail.com, or using the secure Client Portal to schedule. All B Connecting, LLC services are confidential and judgment free.
B Connecting, LLC 