Supporting Homeschooling Families: A Personal and Clinical Perspective
When Therapy Meets the Dining Room Table
If you've ever worked with a homeschooling family, you may have found yourself pausing, unsure of what to ask, how to frame your support, or what assumptions to challenge. I’ve been there, both professionally and personally.
As a licensed therapist, I’ve supported dozens of families navigating the homeschooling journey. But as a mother, I’ve lived it too. I homeschooled both of my boys during their middle school years, and that season was transformative, for them and for me.
What I learned in those years reshaped how I show up for families in therapy. And that’s what this blog is about: understanding homeschooling not as a deviation from the norm, but as an intentional decision grounded in values, care, and, in many cases, a desire to offer children something better.
Why I Homeschooled My Sons
Middle school is a critical period, socially and developmentally. I chose to homeschool my sons during those years not because I had extra time (I didn’t) or because I thought public education was “bad.” I did it because I saw gaps in what they were being taught, and how.
I wanted them to:
Build a deeper relationship with me and with each other
Learn truthfully, not just what was in the textbook, but what was behind the stories we’re told in traditional classrooms
Develop at their own pace, with space to rest, revisit, and truly understand what they were learning
Explore how they learn best, without being forced into a one-size-fits-all model
And we did all of that, from the kitchen table, from the car, on field trips, and sometimes in pajamas.
Those years gave me insight into who they are, how they process the world, and what it looks like to teach the whole child—not just check boxes for attendance.
What Clinicians Often Miss
In therapy, I’ve seen providers approach homeschooling families with suspicion or over-analysis. We ask the wrong questions:
“Aren’t you worried about socialization?”
“Do they get recess?”
“What about standardized testing?”
Instead, we should be asking:
“How do your children learn best?”
“What led you to choose this path?”
“How can I support your family’s rhythm while still addressing your goals for therapy?”
Homeschooling is not a red flag. It’s a reframe. And when we shift our lens from skepticism to curiosity, we serve families so much better.
Benefits I See, Clinically and Personally
As both a therapist and a parent, here’s what I’ve seen homeschooling offer:
Stronger family communication, especially when parents aren’t just “teaching,” but co-learning
Opportunities for emotional regulation and conflict resolution embedded into daily life
Freedom to explore learning through identity, history, and creativity
Improved confidence in children who struggled in traditional academic spaces
Flexible routines that support mental health and reduce anxiety
Is homeschooling easy? Absolutely not. But it’s often a deeply thought-out choice, and as therapists, we should be prepared to support that with nuance, not bias.
If You’re a Clinician Supporting Homeschool Families
Here are a few things to keep in mind:
Ask families how you can work within their values, not override them
Learn the difference between structured homeschooling, unschooling, and co-ops
Be aware that many families homeschool because of negative experiences with school systems, especially for Black and Brown children, neurodivergent youth, or those with mental health needs
Offer resources, not judgment
Stay flexible in your treatment goals and session planning
A Course for Deeper Clinical Insight
If this topic resonates with you, and you want to learn how to ethically and effectively support these families in therapy—consider enrolling in my September CE course:
Working With Homeschooling Families as a Mental Health Provider
You’ll walk away with:
A better understanding of diverse homeschooling models
Tools to support family dynamics without undermining educational choices
Intervention strategies that align with flexible learning environments
Culturally sensitive approaches to religious, philosophical, and trauma-informed homeschooling
[Admin: Insert course registration link]
CE Hours: [Insert]
Final Thoughts
I don’t regret homeschooling my boys for a single second. It gave me a window into their world—and helped me become a better parent and a better clinician.
As therapists, we must remember that education doesn’t just happen in classrooms. It happens around kitchen tables, on field trips, in tough conversations, and quiet mornings. It happens wherever connection, curiosity, and care are present.
Let’s continue to support that—clinically, ethically, and with the respect our families deserve.
