Questions parents ask
Questions about a specific service are answered on that service's page. These are the ones that come up whatever the situation.
Getting started
Is there an English-speaking child coach in Prague?
Yes. I'm Lucie Straková, a child and teen coach in Prague, and I work fluently in English and Czech. I see children from age three, teenagers and young adults up to 22, in person in Prague and Central Bohemia or online anywhere. Many of the families I work with are international.
What happens when I get in touch?
You send a WhatsApp message or an email with a few lines about your child and what's going on. I reply myself within 48 hours. If it looks like a fit, we arrange a short, free call. If it doesn't, I'll say so and suggest who might help.
Is the first conversation free?
Yes. Your first message and a short call are free and without obligation. You pay only once regular sessions start.
From what age can a child have coaching?
From about three. Between three and six, most of the work is with parents, and sessions with the child are play rather than conversation. From seven, children can usually take a more direct part. I work with teenagers and with young adults up to 22.
What happens in the first session?
The first session belongs to the child, with no agenda from parents or from me. With young children it's play, often on the floor. With older children and teenagers it's a relaxed conversation, mostly about whether talking to me feels any different. Afterwards, parents get a short update.
How long is a session, and how often do we meet?
In-person sessions are 45 minutes and online sessions 30 minutes, usually every one or two weeks. There's no minimum number and no contract.
Where do in-person sessions take place in Prague?
At your home, or in a space I use in Prague or Central Bohemia, whichever helps your child feel more at ease. Further afield is possible by arrangement.
Does my child need a coach, a therapist or a psychologist?
Coaching fits a child who is coping day to day but struggling with a particular situation, such as a separation, a move, a friendship or a loss of confidence. A therapist or psychologist fits better when there's a mental health condition, significant trauma or a crisis. If what you describe sounds clinical, I'll tell you and help you find the right person. See what I refer on.
How many sessions will my child need?
There's no minimum and no fixed programme. Some children need a handful of sessions for one specific situation; others come for several months. I'll tell you when I think the work is done.
What if my child refuses to talk?
It's the most common worry, and rarely the problem it seems. Children who won't talk to anyone often open up in a different setting. The first session has no agenda, younger children mostly play, and teenagers relax once they know it's private.
Should we choose online or in person?
In person usually suits children under about ten. Many teenagers prefer video. If you're unsure, ask in your first message.
Do you work in Czech as well as English?
Yes, fluently in both. We use whichever language your child is most comfortable in, and switching mid-session is fine.
Trust and safety
What are your qualifications?
I don't hold a formal coaching qualification. My background is fifteen seasons in leadership roles at accredited US summer camps; active transitional foster parent, approved and reviewed by the Czech regional authority including a criminal record check; American Red Cross Lifeguarding, First Aid and CPR Instructor; and I'm studying for an MSc in Psychology at a UK university. My work is supervised monthly by a psychologist, and I'm insured for professional liability. Full detail on the About page.
How do I know a child coach is safe to hire?
Coaching isn't regulated, so ask any coach for things you can check: who has vetted them, whether they have a criminal record check, whether anyone supervises their work, whether they're insured, how they handle confidentiality and safeguarding, and what they refer on to clinicians. My answers are on the About page and in How I work.
Will you tell parents what my child says in sessions?
No. Parents get a short general update, not the content. The exception is a serious risk to safety; where it's safe, I tell the child first. See confidentiality.
Are you a child psychologist?
No. I'm a coach, studying for an MSc in Psychology at a UK university. If your child needs a psychologist, including an English-speaking one in Prague, I'll say so and help you find someone suited to your child's age and language.
Can coaching run alongside a psychologist my child already sees?
Yes. The two do different jobs. With your permission, I'm glad to coordinate briefly with them so nobody works at cross purposes.
How do you handle my child's personal data?
I keep brief notes on themes and progress, not transcripts, stored securely and handled under GDPR. You can ask what I hold, or ask me to delete it, at any time. See the privacy policy.
Practical
How much does child coaching cost in Prague?
An in-person session is €90 for 45 minutes, an online session €55 for 30 minutes, and a parent consultation €110 for 60 minutes. The first message and short call are free. Everything is on the pricing page.
Is coaching covered by health insurance?
No, because coaching isn't a medical service. Some employers' wellbeing budgets cover it, and the solidarity model exists for families who can't afford standard rates.
Does Texas join sessions?
Only when it's appropriate and you ask for him. He is a certified service dog, and he stays at home if anyone is allergic or uneasy. See Texas.
Should I worry about my child's social media, gaming or AI companion use?
Sometimes, and sometimes not. It depends on what's actually happening, not just the fact that it's happening. I look at whether it's replacing real relationships and ways of coping or adding to them, and whether it's a sign of something else going on. I work with children on their digital lives without demonising the technology.