Parenting Therapy

Do You Feel Like You’re Walking On Eggshells With Your Child? 

Are you having behavioral issues with your child? Do you feel like you’ve tried everything and they still won’t cooperate? Have you and your partner been struggling to see eye to eye on parenting issues? 

Maybe you’ve successfully raised most of your children, but there’s one child in particular that you can’t seem to help. They’re defiant, argumentative, and unable to follow ordinary household rules. The normal set of consequences has no effect on them. As a result, you may feel exhausted, overwhelmed, and at your wit’s end. Perhaps you worry that you’ll be known as “that parent” with “that kid” and people will judge you for your child’s misbehavior. 

If you want to stop feeling like you’re walking on eggshells and experience peace in your home, I encourage you to pursue parenting therapy with me. I offer counseling for parents of kids ages 2-6. With my support, I believe you can learn to manage your child’s meltdowns and deepen your relationship with them.


Meet Our Featured Child Therapists

Interested in learning more about our approach to parenting and child therapy?

Many Parents Use Strategies That Work For Some Kids, But Not For All

A lot of kids are defiant, stubborn, and have trouble regulating their emotions. It’s normal for kids to have anxiety disorders, ADHD, autism, intellectual disabilities, and other mental health conditions. For most parents, the struggle is knowing how to help children with such unique needs.

Many parents use a set of parenting strategies that work great for most kids, but not for all. That’s okay. Some kids simply see the world differently and need a stronger connection to their parents. Some of them may have even experienced abuse, neglect, or bullying, all of which could affect their ability to interact with others. Giving these kids extra love and support is essential, but knowing how to do so isn’t as easy as it sounds.

Like It Or Not, All Of Us Learn To Parent Based On What We Saw As Kids

Part of the reason it’s so hard to raise kids is that we all learn to parent based on the role models we had as kids. For most of us, these were our parents and caregivers. But even if our parents were kind, loving, and did their best, what worked for them may not work for us.

This is why parenting coaching is so vital. I understand that certain kids are hard to handle and I want to help you explore new parenting ideas so that you don’t feel stuck on the same old strategies again and again.

Therapy Is A Chance To Find Validation And Learn New Parenting Skills 

A lot of parents who come to me are worried that I won’t believe them or that I’ll think they’re not trying hard enough. Before you see me, I want you to know: I believe you. And I know you’re doing the best you can. Even if your kid acts like a perfect little angel in therapy, I know that’s not how they are at home. Some kids are just plain difficult—even the best parent in the world will struggle with that. 

Above all, parenting therapy is a safe space to admit the tears you’ve shed, the shouting matches you’ve had, and the sheer exhaustion you feel. There is no judgment here. As embarrassing as it is to not have the answers, I get it. I’ve had to raise difficult children myself and I know the ways that kids push parents to their limits. As a parenting counselor, I want to teach you how to interact with your child in a way that reduces conflict and increases love and connection. 

What To Expect In Sessions

During the first session, you and your child will meet with me together. I will take a history of your parenting issues and observe you and your child playing together. I will give you a set of instructions and assess your interactions, noticing what happens when you tell your child to clean up and how they respond to you playing with them.

The great thing is that I don’t have to see your kid acting out or throwing a tantrum. Many kids are able to keep it together in front of a professional. What’s important is that I understand the dynamics between you and your child—what triggers their meltdowns, what you need extra help with, etc. 

The second session will be a teaching session with just you and I. This gives you a chance to share things that you might not want to share with your little one present. After that, I will resume meeting with you and your child together. There will still be occasional one-on-one sessions with just you and I, but most sessions will be held with the three of us together.

Tailoring Your Treatment Plan

The main approach that I use with families of children ages 2-6 is called Parent Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT). This is a well-researched model of parent counseling that continually amazes me with how effective it is. PCIT is based on attachment theory and works to develop a close, warm, and connected bond between a parent and child. Instead of focusing on discipline right away, PICT is all about creating an atmosphere of warmth and understanding. This way, when you do need your child to comply with a command, they will be more likely to obey.

In the end, my hope is that therapy can help you learn practical skills for parenting more effectively and lovingly. I want to help you communicate with your child in a way that allows them to feel seen, heard, and appreciated for who they are. When this happens, their behavior is much more likely to improve. 

You May Have Some Concerns About Parenting Therapy…

Nothing else works for my child. What makes this any different? 

I said the same thing about my child. I was the parent who had to leave playdates early because of my child’s behavior. I was the parent who was so worn down from arguments with my child that I stopped asking them to do anything but basic hygiene tasks. Then I found PCIT and it totally transformed our relationship. What makes this type of therapy different from others is that I don’t just hand you a piece of paper with a list of tips on it and then send you home (which several therapists did to me). I coach you every step of the way, encouraging you and supporting you when you’re at a loss for words. This type of therapy works wonders for kids with the most difficult kinds of behaviors. It worked for my difficult child and I can help you put it into practice so that it can work for you.

What if my child doesn’t throw their normal temper tantrum in sessions with you?

I don’t need to see how bad it gets for you and your child. I believe you! My own child would act all sweet and polite in sessions and then turn into a monster when we got in the car. Even if your child never acts out in my office, the skills you’ll gain can help you parent them when they do act out.

What if PCIT doesn’t work for my child?

PCIT makes sure that everything you can do to set your child up for success is being done. If there are still negative behaviors left over after we’ve completed treatment, there are other therapies I can recommend to supplement PCIT. Sometimes a child with a disorder or past trauma may need additional support. That’s okay. Every child is different and that’s why treatment doesn’t look the same for everyone.

You Are Doing The Best You Can

Parenting is hard. You’ve worked hard and deserve all the support and validation you can get. If you want to experience deeper love and connection with your little one, you can email me or use the online scheduler to book a free consultation.


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