Now approved for AOTA CEUs

Relationship Matters Consultancy Inc. is an AOTA Approved Provider of professional development. Course approval ID# 13359. This distance learning – independent is offered at 1.4 CEUs, intermediate level, foundational knowledge and OT service delivery. The assignment of AOTA CEUs does not imply endorsement of specific course content, products, or clinical procedures by AOTA.


COACHING CAREGIVERS: Building Sustainable Therapeutic Change

Do you wish your therapy sessions had a greater impact on a family’s daily life? Too often, therapeutic interventions fall short in making as lasting a difference as we would like because parents and caregivers don’t fully understand the rationale for their use, or they lack the basic skills (that can be coached) to integrate them into everyday routines.

When caregivers grasp the “why” of therapy and are equipped with simple, actionable strategies, sustainable change becomes possible. The therapeutic process becomes more effective, and the journey is more rewarding for everyone involved. To accomplish this shift, therapists require coaching skills to transfer the knowledge and skills to parents and caregivers in empowering ways.

This on-demand, online workshop equips therapists with essential coaching skills to strengthen communication and foster collaboration. By empowering the key people in our clients’ lives, we can extend the benefits of therapy well beyond clinical settings and into their daily lives.


TARGET AUDIENCE: OT, PT, SLP, CC, EDUCATORS, PSYCHOLOGISTS

INSTRUCTOR: Kim Barthel, OTR, C/NDT, Advanced OT Instructor 

INSTRUCTIONAL FORMAT: Live online lecture, Q&A, discussion groups

EDUCATIONAL LEVEL: Intermediate

PREREQUESITES: None

INSTRUCTIONAL METHODS: Pre-Recorded Modules with one 60-minute Zoom Q&A

ABOUT OUR COURSES

Please note this important information about the structure of our on-demand courses:

COURSE STRUCTURE SUMMARY (UPON COURSE RELEASE - APPROXIMATELY END OF FEBRUARY 2026):

  • Immediate access to pre-recorded learning modules & resources for ONE YEAR from date of purchase
  • Complimentary access to 1 x 60 Minute Zoom Q&A Session with Kim & Team as outlined below
  • 100% completion of course content + participation or viewing of Q&A session required for certificate
  • Ability to attend subsequent future Q&As on this topic for a small additional fee to continue to engage with Kim & Team
  • Financial support and group discounts are available via application links below


    COURSE STRUCTURE DETAILS:

  • APPROX 15 Total Hours (including Q&A).

    This course is a regularly-delivered series available for ongoing enrolment. Upon registration here, participants receive immediate access to the pre-recorded learning modules, handouts and resources. Access to this content expires in one year from the date that you purchase your registration.

    In addition to the immediately available pre-recorded content, this course includes one complimentary live on Zoom 60-minute Q&A session with Kim & the Relationship Matters Team. The event calendar date currently displayed reflects the date of the next upcoming Q&A session. You will be automatically assigned the next upcoming Q&A date for your complimentary session, based on the date of your registration.

    These Q&A sessions are scheduled to take place approximately every 6-8 months, with the recording of this session made available. Course certificates are available upon request in the form provided in the course after the live Q&A session has taken place – live participation or viewing of the Q&A recording is required for your certificate (if this is an issue for you due to funding or other deadlines, please contact us here to discuss options). Registrants are encouraged to submit questions in advance and ask them live. Even if registrants are unable to make the Q&A date and time, they will still be able to see the Q&A’s recording. Upon completion of the pre-recorded lessons as well as their complimentary Q&A, registrants then meet the prerequisite of attending any future Q&A for a small fee ($30 CDN) should they wish to further engage with Kim & the team or have new questions on this topic.

    As always, financial support and group discounts are available. Please find links to apply for these below.

    If you have any questions about our courses, please contact our team here.

    We look forward to supporting you in your learning journey.

    • Financial Support & Group Discounts

    • GROUP DISCOUNTS

      Group discounts are available (not to be combined with scholarships) for groups of 3-5 @ 15% off, groups of 6-19 at 25% off and groups of 20+ @ 40% off.

      TO APPLY FOR THE GROUP DISCOUNT, please submit the application form: Group Discount Application Form

    • FINANCIAL SUPPORT

      Some financial support available (upon request) from people in developing countries (Countries at Category B @ 50% off, Category C @ 55% off, Category D @ 60% off). Financial assistance is also possible for individual registrants from Category A countries @ 25% off when truly needed.

      TO APPLY FOR THE SCHOLARSHIP, please submit the application form: Financial Assistance Application Form

    Instructor

    Kim Barthel

    Hi, I’m Kim – I’m humbled by your interest in what I’m up to, and inspired by the work that countless people are doing to support others – and yourselves. If this kind of thing were easy, it would be a different world we live in. Which tells me we need to nurture our relationships through attunement, compassion, humour, and mindfulness. Remember, when it works it’s treatment, and when it doesn’t it’s assessment. This means we aren’t expected to get it right the first time. I’ve been doing my best at this for over 35 years, and still learning and repairing every day. For anyone who doesn’t know what I especially like to study and teach, the hot topics that I wake up thinking about are understanding complex behaviour, neurobiology, sensory-processing, movement, trauma informed practice, attachment theory, mental health, and anything that will support people in being their best selves. Thank you for being part of the great momentum globally towards understanding, interdependence, and compassion. Please connect with our team at Relationship Matters if that’s an interest for you, and importantly, thank you for doing whatever it is that you do to help others. We may never know the fruit of the seeds we plant through our smallest gestures, but just by caring we are more connected than we know. I feel great hope.