We spoke with Debbie Murad, LCSW, CEO, Founder, and Clinical Director of Beach Cities Gateway, to share insight into how families can think about different types of support, what to expect when starting services, and how collaboration and connection shape meaningful progress.
Key Points From This Interview
- The difference between coaching and therapy — and when each may be helpful
- Why many families benefit from an integrated approach
- What families often worry about before the first appointment
- How providers partner with families during early sessions
- Why progress is not always linear — and why that is normal
Provider Snapshot
Name: Debbie Murad, LCSW
Role: CEO, Founder, Clinical Director
Organization: Beach Cities Gateway
Understanding Coaching and Therapy
Families often arrive unsure whether their child needs coaching, therapy, or a combination of both. According to Debbie, families do not need to have all the answers before reaching out — part of the provider’s role is helping clarify the best pathway forward.
At Beach Cities Gateway, coaching and therapy serve different but complementary purposes.
Coaching focuses on practical, real-world skill development, including:
- Executive functioning and organization
- Motivation and follow-through
- Life skills and independence
- Social communication and daily routines
Coaching is structured, goal-oriented, and highly individualized, helping adolescents and young adults translate skills into everyday life at home, school, work, and in the community.
Therapy, on the other hand, supports emotional well-being and mental health needs such as anxiety, depression, stress, identity development, and the emotional experience of navigating neurodivergence and life transitions. Therapy provides space for reflection, processing, and healing while strengthening coping skills and emotional resilience.
When an Integrated Approach Makes Sense
For many families, the most effective support comes from an integrated model where coaching and therapy work together. This approach allows families to address both skill-building and emotional growth in a coordinated, collaborative way.
Families and providers work together to determine the most appropriate starting point based on the child or teen’s needs, strengths, and current challenges.
What Families Often Worry About at the Start
Debbie shared that families often arrive at their first appointment wondering:
- Whether their child’s struggles are “normal”
- Whether they waited too long to seek support
- Whether they somehow caused the problem
She emphasizes that seeking support is a sign of care — not failure — and that every child’s developmental path is unique. The goal of evaluation, therapy, or coaching is not to judge or label a child, but to better understand their strengths, learning style, and support needs.
Preparing for the First Session
Families tend to feel more prepared when they know there is no “right way” for a child to show up to the first session. Children may be quiet, nervous, or unsure — and that is okay.
Bringing prior reports, school feedback, or observations can be helpful, but parent insights about daily life at home, socially, and academically are just as valuable. Early sessions focus on relationship-building, comfort, and understanding the whole child before moving into structured interventions or coaching goals.
Why Provider Connection Matters
Debbie noted that many families find reassurance in connecting directly with their provider. Sharing both professional expertise and personal perspective helps families feel understood and supported.
As a parent of a neurodivergent young adult who needed meaningful support during high school, Debbie understands firsthand how emotional and complex this journey can be. Families often feel relief and validation when they hear that their provider has walked a similar path.
Building a Strong Provider–Family Partnership
A strong provider–family relationship is grounded in mutual respect, transparency, and curiosity. At Beach Cities Gateway, this includes regular communication, such as brief weekly updates, so families feel informed about progress, themes, and areas of focus.
These touchpoints help parents feel included and reassured — even between sessions.
Debbie acknowledged that many families face barriers such as waitlists, cost, logistics, or uncertainty about where to start. During delays, she encourages families to focus on small, supportive steps, including:
- Creating predictable routines
- Fostering connection at home
- Building calm, supportive spaces
- Accessing interim supports like school resources, coaching, or parent education
Even small shifts can make a meaningful difference while families wait for formal services.
A Strengths-Based, Neuro-Affirming Philosophy
Beach Cities Gateway’s guiding philosophy is neuro-affirming, strengths-based, and relational. In the first month of services, families can expect:
- Gentle pace-setting
- Rapport-building
- Shared goal-setting
- Collaborative planning
Progress may not always be linear — and that is normal. What matters most is that families feel seen, supported, and empowered, and that children feel safe enough to grow.
Key Takeaways for Families
- You do not need all the answers before reaching out
- Coaching and therapy serve different, complementary roles
- Integrated approaches can support both skills and emotional growth
- Early sessions focus on comfort and connection
- Progress takes time, and that is okay
