First Approach Skills Training for Parenting
FAST Approach Skills: Evidence-Based Parenting Support
Dr. Yoe offers First Approach Skills Training (FAST) to empower parents and caregivers with effective strategies for managing anxiety, behavior challenges, depression, early childhood development, and parenting teens. These therapy sessions guide families through these skills in a structured and supportive way, ensuring practical, real-life application. Designed to be brief yet impactful, FAST programs can be completed in just a few sessions, making them an appealing option for busy caregivers seeking efficient and effective solutions.
Who Can Benefit from FAST?
FAST is designed for parents and caregivers who want to take a proactive approach in supporting their child's emotional and behavioral development. It is ideal for:
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Parents who want to be prepared for the natural challenges that arise as children grow and develop.
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Caregivers who are beginning to notice early signs of anxiety, behavior issues, or emotional struggles in their child and want to address them before they escalate.
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Families who have received recommendations from a pediatrician, teacher, or counselor to seek additional support.
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Parents of children or teens who are currently experiencing difficulties and need structured, evidence-based strategies to guide them.
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Busy caregivers looking for effective, time-efficient solutions to support their child’s well-being.
​What is FAST Approach Skills Training?
FAST is a research-backed approach designed to help families develop essential skills in addressing mental health and behavioral concerns. These programs provide brief, structured, and easy-to-use interventions that can be delivered in a few sessions or extended as needed.
Each FAST program includes:
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A structured workbook to guide learning and application.
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A two-page educational caregiver handout.
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Strategies that can be practiced independently or with provider support.
FAST Programs for Parents & Caregivers
First Approach Skills Training for Anxiety (FAST-A)
FAST-A provides exposure-based treatment to help children and teens manage anxiety. The workbook and guided sessions teach families how to gradually face fears, build resilience, and reduce avoidance behaviors. FAST-A can be implemented in a few sessions or as an ongoing resource.
First Approach Skills Training for Behavior (FAST-B)
FAST-B supports parents and caregivers of children ages 4-11 in addressing behavior challenges. This program offers evidence-based coaching on building strong parent-child relationships, encouraging positive behaviors, and setting appropriate boundaries. Each session introduces one to two practical skills that caregivers can use at home.
First Approach Skills Training for Depression (FAST-D)
FAST-D is designed to help teens and their caregivers address depressive symptoms through behavioral activation. The program encourages engagement in enjoyable and meaningful activities to improve mood and motivation. The FAST-D workbook provides simple, flexible exercises that require minimal clinician guidance.
First Approach Skills Training for Early Childhood (FAST-E)
FAST-E is designed for parents of young children (ages 1-4), focusing on fostering development, strengthening parent-child connections, and managing early childhood behaviors. Topics include emotional bonding, tantrums, feeding concerns, and toilet training, using a developmentally appropriate lens.
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First Approach Skills Training for Parenting Teens (FAST-P)
FAST-P equips caregivers of teens (ages 12-18) with tools to improve family communication, navigate emotional challenges, and problem-solve common teen issues such as screen time and academic struggles. Adapted from evidence-based parenting programs, FAST-P includes structured themes that can be completed in four sessions or broken down into shorter, focused sessions.
Developed by Seattle Children's Hospital
FAST was created through research and development by Seattle Children's Hospital to provide accessible, evidence-based resources for parents and caregivers. All FAST resources, including workbooks and educational materials, are available for free at the following link: Seattle Children's FAST Resources.
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How Dr. Yoe Support Parents
At Blue Ridge Brief Interventions, Dr. Yoe offers structured therapy sessions that walk caregivers through FAST techniques step by step. Whether you need guidance on managing anxiety, behavior concerns, or communication with your teen, Dr. Yoe provides a supportive environment to practice and apply these skills.
Get Started Today
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If you’re ready to strengthen your parenting approach with evidence-based strategies, Dr. Yoe is here to help. Contact her to learn more about FAST Approach Skills sessions and begin your journey toward confident, effective parenting.
