Therapy for Parents

If my kid is the one with the problem, why do I need therapy?

The temptation to “send your kid to therapy” is strong, and there are plenty of therapists who are comfortable working exclusively with a teen or young adult without parental involvement.

Parent participation can make all the difference in how much improvement your child experiences. It also gives me all the information and insight I need to be most effective, especially if your child is not forthcoming with that information. Understanding both sides of an issue facilitates creating a solution that works for everyone.

Most parents have big feelings when their kids struggle, regardless of what age they may be. The stakes are high during adolescence and young adulthood, and often, strong feelings get in the way of good communication and calm problem-solving.

Let me help you help your child manage complicated feelings related to their difficulties.

“What can I expect from therapy with you?”

The parents I work with can expect to have honest and direct conversations with a bit of humor to soften the blow. I believe that you, the parent, will always be the expert on your kid; a teen often already understands themselves. Guidance will lead to self-discovery and communication to improve family interactions overall.

We will work toward finding strengths and exploring how our past may appear in our current behavior. I like to help my clients see that things possibly viewed as faults or failures from the past can be untapped strengths and a source of resilience.

As a parent, you will have weekly sessions to explore your experiences and blind spots that may hinder your relationship with your child.

As the expert who spends the most time with and significantly influences your child, your parent session will be an indispensable part of helping your child navigate their problems.

Lead by example.

It’s easy to feel that during your child’s adolescent and young adult phase, your ability to influence them is at an all-time low. Nothing can be further from the truth. The time and resources you invest in your therapy can have an enormous payoff.

You can build a parent-child relationship that supports and enhances your child’s development while creating a close and connected relationship. It won’t be like when they were little, but it can be profoundly fulfilling for all of you.

Call or text me at (714) 321-1521 for your free 15-minute consultation. Let me know what kind of relationship you want with your kids. Let’s set some goals and get to work.