GSC Training Summary

The Gentle Sleep Coach Program® is the first and most extensive professional sleep coach training and certification program available to teach gentle sleep strategies. The program involves over 80 hours of training with a faculty panel that includes 2 medical doctors, a psychologist, an attorney, a lactation counselor, postpartum doulas, and a family therapist. Each coach must pass an exam and participate in case supervision with Kim West, LCSW-C (a.k.a. “the Sleep Lady”) who has been helping tired parents for over 20 years. I completed my GSC training in May 2022. Clinical supervision and ongoing advanced training are required to maintain certification as a Gentle Sleep Coach.

Some of my training topics included:

  • Basic counseling and child development
  • Sleep science and behavioral modification techniques to help parents of children age 0 to 6 years old.
  • Secure attachment theory
  • Support for the breastfeeding mother

The training also consisted of lectures from top specialists, including:

  • Postpartum Depression from Dr. Shoshana Bennett, author and leading specialist on Postpartum Depression
  • Medical Conditions and Sleep Apnea in Children led by Dr. Lewis Kass, Director of Children’s Sleep Center
  • GERD and Sleep led by Dr. Anthony Loizides, pediatric gastroenterologist

Kim West is a pioneer in the field of sleep coaching for babies and children, is a family therapist and the author of the book ‘The Sleep Lady’s Good Night, Sleep Tight’, which offers a gentle approach to get children to sleep without crying it out.

Several years ago, when Kim West started her sleep coaching certification program, she decided she wouldn’t do it unless it was the best and the most comprehensive, all-inclusive training and certification program in the world. Since that day Kim has continued to expand and grow the program so that it remains the most comprehensive in the world.

And that's why I chose this program.

0-5-Month-Old Training Summary

The GSC Program also includes an exclusive advanced training specifically focused on gentle sleep strategies that work with babies 0-5 months of age.

Some of the curriculum training topics include:

  • In depth knowledge of of the importance of attachment and infant mental health.
  • The sleep science behind the first six months of life.
  • What special considerations need to be taken when working with and supporting families during this delicate period.
  • Specialized instruction on how to evaluate families in the first six months.
  • Guidance on how to assess when the baby is ready for sleep coaching based on current research and evidence-based strategies.
  • Review of gentle sleep solutions and strategies that are developmentally appropriate, breastfeeding and attachment friendly and promote a solid foundation for sleep learning and long-term healthy sleep patterns.

This specialty gentle sleep training is designed to give the knowledge, education and all the tools and resources they need to successfully work with families of newborns through 5 months of age in a safe, healthy and developmentally appropriate manner.