Parenting Therapy & Support
It Takes a Village. Maybe you have come here to manage something urgent going on with your child that is causing concern or are searching for strategies for an on-going problematic behavior. Parenting can be stressful and each child is unique, making it difficult to stay ahead of all that parenthood entails. Whether you are raising a child with a partner or as a single parent, it can be quite a challenging journey.
It’s not always easy to reach out for help, especially with something as delicate as raising a child. Your parenting experience matters and we are here to collaborate in a nurturing and non-judgmental way. If you are frustrated with trying various approaches on your own, have had a hard time applying parenting book strategies, wondering if what your child is going through is typical, or just difficulty with consistency, we can be part of your village.
Feeling Lost is Normal
Parents and caregivers searching for guidance, you are not alone. Seeking support is a great way to positively impact your own emotional health, as well as your child’s growth and development. Parenting therapy and support can improve how you understand and relate to your child, as well as decrease stress levels and provide relief. As your child evolves, there is a need to grow and develop alongside them- how you listen to, interact with, and guide them as they figure out life. Self-reflection as a parent is part of that journey.
Many parents learn they have differing parenting styles and need help unifying. Sometimes it can be difficult to understand just what your child or teen is feeling or going through, since verbal means may not be their primary way of expressing what is going on. It is normal to question if you are taking the right approach and to re-consider your strategies over time. Feeling lost can be a signal that you are searching for the right fit in your parenting style- one that aligns with your values and that is effective.
We are Here to Help
Pathways to Wellness has skilled therapists with varying backgrounds and a wide array of experience and knowledge to address your needs in parenting therapy. We have extensive experience working with couples and we can help with any age or developmental stage. We strongly believe that the therapeutic relationship can provide a safe space to explore important topics of concern for your family. Our homey and relaxed environment includes warm drinks and the occasional therapy dog roaming the halls.
We Have a Variety of Support Options
We offer parenting therapy and parent classes. See child and adolescent counseling pages for more specifics on therapy with/for your child. The parenting support you need will depend on you/your child’s situation. Your therapist will assess and customize based on a history of what is going on and what you are seeking. Below you will see what we offer for different age groups and populations.
Soon To Be and New Parents
Our parent workshop, Bringing Baby Home focuses on how to keep your marriage relationship strong once a child is welcomed into your family. Infancy is such a special and important time for your child’s groundwork and beginning of a new chapter in your family. We keep our workshops intimate with 4-8 couples to facilitate discussion based around your unique situation. Through lecture, video examples, group discussion and guided conversations with your partner, you will leave with both practical tools and a deeper understanding of one another as you head into the next chapter.
Early Years
As you are getting to know your little one, you are developing as a parent and learning how to co-parent. This is a time where couples begin to recognize who they are as parents, what their style is, and how it may relate to their own upbringing. This can bring up feelings and reactions that may be related to your history and triggered by your little one and dynamic in your family.
The World Health Organization emphasizes this is the most important developmental phase throughout the lifespan and efforts are increasing to promote public awareness of a strong start for youngsters. Some issues in this stage involve sibling rivalry, sharing, sleep habits, tantrums and identifying special needs. This is a crucial time when the foundation is laid for tolerance of distress and future resilience.
Knowing how to identify when changes occur in your child, which require additional support, can be beneficial. By attending regular sessions, we can guide you through your concerns, provide feedback and help you process feelings about your situation. Many couples find it useful to come with examples from their week and unify about a way to understand what is occurring.
Developed by The Gottman Institute, Emotion Coaching, teaches how to navigate feelings with your child. Through presentation of the five step Emotion Coaching process and group discussion, we will explore how we, as parents, manage emotions and how that can impact what we teach our children about their emotional world. A small and confidential group setting ensures individual instructor attention on questions and examples from your home life. Social and emotional intelligence begins at home.
Elementary Age, Tweens and Teens
Multiple factors play a part in a child or teen’s experience growing up. Some of the moving parts include your feelings toward your child, the parent-child bond, culture and environment raised in, educational experiences, media and circle of friends. Helping your child effectively manage their emotions and cope with the ever-changing demands of their world can be challenging to keep up with. This is especially true if your family is going through a transition, experienced a loss, separation/divorce, or if your child/teen is struggling with a new stage.
Professional support is often needed to help you navigate with your child or teen. Issues of: bullying, anxiety, stress, depression, screen time, discipline/responsibility, social skills, self-harm, learning challenges, and trauma. Regular parenting therapy sessions provide parents with resources, feedback and analysis of behavior and emotion, to best connect with your child or teen.
We have experience working in the education system and can offer perspectives on your child or teen’s school functioning as it relates to mental health. We work across disciplines, and like collaborating with teachers, pediatricians, and psychiatrists when needed.
Common Questions Parents Have
Much of the work to improve a child or teen’s situation starts with the parents. It is not uncommon for parents to experience times of feeling lost, confused, overwhelmed and conflicted. Early intervention is ideal in the case of a developing child and parent-child connection, and we are here to help with both enrichment and crisis management scenarios.
If you are wondering how you and your partner will find the time to come in together, we do offer Telehealth video sessions, flexible hours and weekend openings, whether you are meeting in person or online. Oftentimes a parent will come alone and can even trade off with their partner every other week.
If you are unsure about your insurance coverage, we can help you check your benefits if you have a PPO plan. Please inquire about a limited number of lower fee spaces for those experiencing hardship.
When one or both partners are hesitant about seeking parenting help, it can delay a healthy intervention process. Many parents find it useful to speak with us by phone first, to get a feel for what therapy would look like in their situation. Initial consultations will give you a glimpse into your therapists approach and collaborative process.
Let’s Connect
We invite you to come and think together about your situation, to make sense of what you are experiencing as a parent and determine what is next. Pathways to Wellness is invested in helping parents who are interested in widening their own and their child’s capacity for a rich emotional world, that can tackle the ebbs and flows that are inevitable.
Children and teens are capable and complex beings, more so than we realize. They have a lot to teach us about their inner world, thoughts, feelings and perceptions. Our goal is to walk you through a respectful and intentional way to help shape your child as they traverse their path.
A sturdy sense of self for you as a parent, and for your child is at the center of a bright future. We would be happy to speak with you by phone, to determine if parenting therapy would be of support to you, and to determine the best match in therapist.
If we can answer further questions for you, just call 714-432-9856 and we will be happy to help you.
