Parenting Therapy

• Are you worried that you aren’t responding to your child in healthy, productive ways?

• Do you feel as though your child never listens to you or does what you ask or worry they may be exhibiting symptoms of anxiety?

• Do you feel overwhelmed by conflict with your child?

Raising a child can be one of the most difficult jobs there is, especially if your son or daughter is exhibiting behaviors that concern you. It may seem as though every moment of the day turns into an opportunity for conflict. Perhaps your child resists getting out of bed and preparing for school, making the whole family late for morning obligations. Or maybe your child refuses to do homework, and you worry about his or her academic performance and development.

If you have more than one child, you might be frustrated by seemingly never-ending sibling conflicts or feel guilty for dedicating so much of your energy to one child’s tantrums. Maybe you just wish that your child would do what you asked and that you felt confident in how you respond to his or her distressing behavior. Perhaps you feel exhausted, drained and desperate for answers and support.

Parenting therapy can provide you with the insight you need to better understand your child’s behavior as well as offer parenting strategies to help improve communication and defuse conflict. And because my focus is on treating anxiety in children and teens, together we can evaluate if this may be a contributing factor to your child’s behavior.

Most Parents Feel Confused and Overwhelmed at One Point or Another

Even the most “normal” kids can behave in very challenging ways. Parents are often bombarded by conflicting parenting advice from books, family members, other parents, the media, and even strangers.

When you hear so many mixed messages about what you should and shouldn’t do as a parent, it’s easy to feel as though you’re doing everything wrong. No matter what you and your child are struggling with, a skilled parenting counselor can serve as a coach and guide, helping you learn effective ways to respond to your child’s behavior and find solutions that work for your family.

Parenting Therapy Can Help You Feel More Capable and Confident

It can sometimes be difficult to understand why a child is acting out or shutting down. In supportive, nonjudgmental therapy sessions, you can talk about all of the worries and hopes you have for your child and investigate the behaviors that are causing you concern. As we work together, I can help you develop a better understanding of your child’s behavior, along with skills and strategies that work for your unique child and family. With insight, tools, and support, you can feel equipped to respond in thoughtful, productive ways and create a healthy, harmonious parent-child dynamic.

I take a solution-focused approach to parenting counseling and will offer you a safe space to share your questions and concerns. We will explore developmental factors that may be impacting your child’s behavior at this stage in his or her life, as well as factors that are unique to your child and family, to help us get a clearer sense of what your child is going through and what he or she might need at this particular life stage. Then, drawing from a variety of proven approaches, we can work together to formulate a practical parenting plan that best addresses and supports everyone’s needs and goals.

Children do not generally attend most parenting sessions, but there may be times when I suggest that your child join us so you can practice new, effective parenting techniques in the safety of my office. In fact, there are certain approaches that work best when children are present in a majority of sessions. During sessions that children attend, I can offer immediate feedback and support and help you adjust your approach as needed. If you are concerned about your child’s emotional well-being, I also offer child counseling and teen counseling. 

As a parent, I know firsthand what it’s like to want the best for your child. As a mental health professional, I have helped many parents learn new ways to respond to their children’s challenging behaviors, as well as improve their relationships with their children overall. And if your child or teen is exhibiting signs of anxiety or OCD, I offer tools to help parents help their anxious children.  Once we have a plan, you can begin navigating parenting challenges confidently and easily. Then, you can form a connected, supportive relationship with your child.

You may have questions or concerns about parenting counseling…

Do both parents have to come?

Consistency is an important component of effective parenting, and it’s often helpful for both parents to participate in counseling. However, I am happy to meet with one or both of you and help in any way that works for your family. Even small changes can shift an overall family dynamic. If your co-parent can’t, or doesn’t want to, participate in sessions, you can still learn how to resolve conflict and improve your relationship with your child.

 I’m already overwhelmed. I don’t have time for parenting therapy.

Being a parent takes a lot of time and energy, and if you’re already doing all you can to balance your responsibilities and meet your child’s needs, it’s understandable that you may feel stretched thin. However, although therapy does require some time, it can actually help you use your time more effectively in the long run. By developing and practicing new parenting skills, you can begin to prevent and soothe outbursts and arguments that are currently usurping your time and energy, allowing you to genuinely enjoy the time you spend with your child.

I already feel ashamed. I don’t want another person to tell me how to raise my kids.

Children don’t come with a guidebook, and what worked with previous generations doesn’t always work in today’s world. In recent years, anxiety and depression in children has been on the rise.  It’s okay to struggle as a parent, and there’s nothing wrong with seeking help. As your parenting counselor, I won’t judge, criticize or tell you what to do. Instead, I can offer you guidance on what strategies are more or less likely to work for your family. The decisions you make are yours alone. I’m here to support you along the way.

I invite you to click this link to sign up for my newsletter and blog where you can learn more about my practice and parenting therapy in Houston, TX. You can also take a look at these frequently asked questions . You are also welcome to contact me with questions. When you are ready to schedule an appointment, you can schedule online using the “Request Appointment” button at the top of the page.