Parent Guidance & consultations

“Parenting is not about control but about connection, not about perfection but about presence.”

-Dan Siegel

Parenting can be both deeply rewarding and incredibly challenging. When a child or teenager is struggling with anxiety, big emotions, school difficulties, friendships, or changes in behavior, it can be difficult to know what is underneath the struggle or how best to respond.

I work with parents to better understand their child's emotional and developmental needs and to find ways of responding that support both connection and growth. My approach is informed by attachment theory, child development, Internal Family Systems (IFS), and my experience working with children, adolescents, and families for more than 20 years. As a parent myself, I can bring an understanding and empathy to the daily struggles of parenting and try to help parents find compassion for themselves and their children.

Ongoing Parent Guidance

Some parents benefit from having their own ongoing space to think through parenting challenges, develop new skills, and receive support as their children grow and change.

Parent guidance can be helpful whether or not your child is also working with me. We might explore topics such as:

  • Responding to anxiety, big emotions, or challenging behavior

  • Setting limits while maintaining connection

  • Supporting children through transitions and developmental changes

  • Understanding your child's individual temperament and needs

  • Navigating sibling dynamics and family relationships

  • Helping children develop emotional regulation and independence

  • Managing your own reactions and triggers as a parent

  • Strengthening communication and connection with your child

The focus is on helping you feel more confident and intentional as a parent while developing a deeper understanding of your child and your relationship with them. With parents, I draw on my background in Child Development and my experience working with children and families to help parents understand what may be underneath difficult or confusing behaviors and how to respond to their child's underlying developmental and emotional needs. The process of parenting provides an amazing opportunity for self discovery. My work with parents focuses on more than just practical strategies, and I enjoy helping clients parent from the “inside out.” Together we will also shine a light on the internal parts that are easily activated by a child’s behavior, providing a unique opportunity to break intergenerational cycles while also healing the wounds of one’s own childhood.

Parent Consultations

Sometimes parents don't need ongoing support—they need an experienced therapist to help them make sense of what's happening and figure out what to do next.

I offer individual parent consultations for parents who want guidance around a specific concern or situation. This can be particularly helpful when a child is experiencing anxiety, emotional overwhelm, school difficulties, friendship challenges, or significant changes at home.

A parent consultation may include:

  • A 75-minute consultation with the parent or parents

  • Exploring the child's developmental, emotional, and relational needs

  • Understanding what may be underneath the child's current struggles

  • Identifying patterns that may be contributing to the difficulty

  • Practical strategies for responding at home

  • Guidance about when additional support or therapy may be helpful

  • Recommendations for next steps and resources

Parent consultations are $300 for 75 minutes, and are not eligible for insurance reimbursement.

A consultation does not require a commitment to ongoing therapy. It can be a one-time opportunity to gain perspective, develop a plan, and feel more confident in how you respond to your child.

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Child Therapy