Episode 5: Relationship and Strength‑Based Coaching for Parents

In this episode, we welcome Janet Harder and Michaela Jelen of JHMJ Consulting, two highly experienced ESDM therapists and trainers who have worked extensively in early intervention, Naturalistic Developmental Behavioral Interventions (NDBIs), and parent coaching. Together, they share the story behind their innovative Relationship and Strength‑Based Coaching (RSB) framework — a model designed to place the heart of the coaching process squarely on the relationship between professionals and parents.Both Janet and Michaela bring rich professional and personal perspectives to the conversation. Janet is a speech‑language pathologist and BCBA with deep expertise in autism interventions, holding multiple specialized trainings including ESDM, CERTS, and JASPER. Michaela, who has supported children with developmental needs since her teens, holds advanced degrees in disability studies and early intervention, and recently completed her PhD focused on parent coaching. Her lived experience as a parent of a medically complex child adds a unique depth to her understanding of the challenges families face.