Overview
An evidence-based approach enabling adults to co-regulate children’s emotions, de-escalate difficult situations and support children to develop their own capacity for emotional regulation.
Develop a relational and reflective approach to helping children understand, express and manage their emotions.
Emotion Coaching is an evidence-based approach that enables adults to respond to children’s emotions as they happen. It supports adults to co-regulate distress, de-escalate difficult situations and help children gradually develop their own capacity for emotional regulation. Rather than focusing only on presenting behaviour, Emotion Coaching encourages adults to consider the emotions and experiences beneath it. It recognises behaviour as communication and uses moments of distress as opportunities to strengthen understanding, connection and emotional development.
Rooted in nearly 80 years of Mulberry Bush therapeutic practice, this course brings together the theory, neuroscience and practical application of Emotion Coaching. Participants are supported to reflect on their own emotional responses, explore different ways of relating to children and consider how Emotion Coaching can be embedded consistently within everyday practice.
The course is delivered across three live online sessions. Bespoke training can also be developed for teams and organisations and delivered online or in person.
The course is designed for anyone working alongside children and young people in education, care or related settings.
It may be particularly relevant to teachers and teaching assistants, pastoral and safeguarding staff, residential childcare practitioners, social workers and family support workers, foster carers, early years professionals, health and mental health practitioners, youth and community workers, youth and criminal justice professionals, and team leaders and service managers.
No previous Emotion Coaching training is required. The course suits both those new to the approach and practitioners wanting greater confidence and consistency in using it. Teams and organisations can also commission bespoke training to develop a shared approach across their setting.
For most of our courses, no previous therapeutic training is required. Our sessions provide an accessible introduction while also creating opportunities for experienced practitioners to revisit and reflect on their existing practice.
The Foundation Degree is different, as it is work-based. You must be working with children or young people for at least 16 hours each week, through paid employment or a voluntary role, with opportunities to apply and reflect on your learning in practice. You do not need specific previous qualifications, but you may be asked to complete a short written task as part of the application process.
What you will learn
The course explores the principles, evidence and practical application of Emotion Coaching. You will learn about:
- What Emotion Coaching is and why it can support children and young people
- The research and theoretical foundations of the approach
- The neuroscience of emotions, regulation and behaviour
- How emotions can influence children’s communication and responses
- How behaviour can communicate underlying thoughts, feelings and needs
- Different emotional styles and how these shape adults’ responses
- The role of relationships in supporting emotional regulation
- How adults can support children through co-regulation
- Ways to respond sensitively and consistently to emotions and behaviour
- Practical Emotion Coaching strategies and techniques
- How to recognise and respond to emotionally heightened situations
- How to reflect on and strengthen your own practice
You will also have opportunities to practise the approach, discuss situations from your own setting and consider how Emotion Coaching can become part of a wider relational culture.
Yes. Most of our courses can be commissioned by organisations and delivered in person or online, adapted to the context, needs and experiences of your setting. Several courses can be delivered to teams of up to 30 staff.
Training a team together can be particularly valuable, as consistent practice often depends on clear communication, shared understanding and a shared language between the adults involved.
Benefits and Outcomes
Emotion Coaching can help practitioners develop a more thoughtful and consistent approach to children’s emotions and behaviour.
By completing the course, you can:
- Develop greater confidence when responding to emotional distress
- Look beyond presenting behaviour and consider what may be communicated beneath it
- Respond to emotions with greater sensitivity, curiosity and consistency
- Strengthen your ability to co-regulate children during difficult moments
- Support children to recognise, name and understand their emotions
- Help children gradually develop their capacity for emotional regulation
- De-escalate situations without relying primarily on punishment or judgement
- Strengthen relationships between children and the adults supporting them
- Reflect on how your own emotional style may influence your responses
- Develop a shared language and approach across teams
- Apply Emotion Coaching techniques within everyday interactions
- Support the development of more relational and emotionally informed practice
The course can also contribute to professional development by strengthening participants’ understanding of behaviour, relationships, emotional development and reflective practice.
Mulberry Bush has been developing therapeutic approaches to working with children, young people and the adults around them for nearly 80 years.
Our training is rooted in practice. It draws on the day-to-day experience of our therapeutic schools, alongside established theory, current research and learning from professionals across children’s services. Our trainers have direct experience of working within the field and understand both the value and the emotional demands of this work.
We do not offer simple responses to complex situations. Instead, we support practitioners to develop the understanding, confidence and reflective capacity needed to make thoughtful decisions within their own roles and organisations. Our approach is:
- Collaborative – we seek to work with, and learn from, others who share our vision and principles.
- Psychodynamic – we promote an approach which enables us to understand the meaning of behaviour as communication.
- Reflective – we believe in the value of learning through reflection and experience.
And, we live by our values:
- Expertise – we are pioneers, thought-leaders, influencers and change-makers.
- Empathy – we care, support and work with professional, practitioners and the people we serve to enable them to make their own change and collaborate with and are here for everyone who needs us.
- Everyone – we are a community we collaborate and are here for everyone who needs us.