GENTLE SLEEP COACH PROGRAM

The Gentle Sleep Coach® (GSC) Program is the most extensive and professional training and certification program available. The program involves over 80 hours of training with a faculty panel that includes 2 medical doctors, a psychologist, an attorney, lactation counselor, postpartum doulas and a family therapist. Each coach must pass an exam and participate in case supervision with Kim West, LCSW-C (a.k.a.The Sleep Lady®) who has been helping tired parents for over 20 years. Clinical supervision and ongoing advanced training are required to maintain certification as a Gentle Sleep Coach®.

Some of the training topics include:

• Basic counseling and child development
• Sleep science and behavioral modification techniques to help parents of children age 0 to 6 years old
• Secure attachment theory
• Support for the breastfeeding mother

Lectures from top specialists included in my training:

• Postpartum Depression from Dr. Shoshana Bennett, Author and leading specialist on Postpartum Depression
• Medical Conditions and Sleep Apnea in Children led by Dr. Lewis Kass, Director of Children’s Sleep Center
• GERD and Sleep led by Dr. Anthony Loizides, pediatric gastroenterologist

GSC ADVANCED TRAINING PROGRAM

0-5-Month-Old Training

The Gentle Sleep Coach Program also includes exclusive advanced training specifically focused on how to gently work with babies 0-5 months of age.

Some of the curriculum training topics include:

• In-depth knowledge of the importance of attachment and infant mental health
• The sleep science behind the first six months of life
• What special considerations need to be taken when working with and supporting families during this delicate period.
• Specialized instruction on how to evaluate families in the first six months
• Guidance on how to assess when the baby is ready for sleep coaching based on current research and evidence-based strategies
• Review of gentle sleep solutions and strategies that are developmentally appropriate, breastfeeding and attachment friendly and promote a solid foundation for sleep learning and long-term healthy sleep patterns

This specialty training is designed to give Gentle Sleep Coaches the knowledge, education and all the tools and resources they need to successfully work with families of newborns through 5 months of age in a safe, healthy and developmentally appropriate manner.