Parenting/Family Counseling

The idea of seeking parenting advice often feels like a no brainer for most of us.  However, the truth is that many parents think that asking for help around issues involving parenting indicates that they are incompetent and not worthy of being parents.  Being a parent should come naturally, right?  

The fact of the matter is, not everyone steps into parenthood with ease, commitment and the knowledge that it takes to be a “good” parent.  No matter how many books you have read or how many children you have worked with over the years, parenting truly cannot be appreciated until it is dealt with first-hand.  In reality, it is a huge responsibility and takes practice.  The most difficult part of being a parent is that the role that you play in your child’s life is ever changing as they transition from infants to toddlers to children to teenagers and then to adults.  Whichever stage of life you are in as a parent, I am here to help.

Our Approach

When working with parents and families, we offer a safe and nonjudgmental atmosphere which invites openness and opportunities for real change to occur. We truly believe that when parents enter our office, they have done their very best.  When working with parents and families, we introduce ideas pulled from Jane Nelsen’s concept of Positive Discipline which emphasizes the work of Alfred Adler and Rudolf Dreikurs.  The main goal is to teach young people to become responsible, resourceful and respectful members of their communities.  Positive Discipline helps parents understand the importance of using both kind and firm interventions in order to connect with your child while alleviating stress and tension.  Depending upon your needs, we will recommend sessions where we meet with parents individually and/or sessions where we meet with both parents and children.  Our approach is tailored to the need of the unique family that we are working with.

Specializations

Parents/families seek counseling for the following reasons:

  • Lack of a connection with child
  • Tension at home and/or at school
  • Lack of knowledge and expectations of parenthood
  • Child misconduct
  • Differences in parenting philosophies between parents
  • Managing tantrums
  • Setting and managing boundaries within the family