Parenting Dilemmas

Parenting is one of the most important and emotionally demanding jobs that we undertake. Despite our best intentions, we can feel defeated, angry, and exhausted as we struggle to translate our love for our children into positive interactions. Children’s temperament and developmental stage, and their parents’ backgrounds, current circumstances, and differing approaches to childrearing all influence how family members relate to each other.  We help parents understand the underlying issues, and offer practical guidance on how to build stronger bonds and be more effective with children from tots to teens.

Child and Teen Social, Emotional and Behavioral Problems

Like adults, children and teens may struggle to manage anxiety, regulate emotions and mood, relate cooperatively with others, and function well at home and school. Since development proceeds in fits and starts, normal periods of disruption can be difficult to distinguish from more serious problems. To help children and teens, we offer comprehensive child-friendly assessments, as well as play therapy, individual therapy for older children and teens, parent-child sessions, parenting consultation and/or family therapy. We work closely with parents, and if appropriate, other involved professionals.

Family of Origin Conflicts

Family members remain emotionally connected throughout their lives.  Important life events such as marriage, birth of children, serious illness, aging, job loss, or retirement can rekindle old family dynamics or create new stress. Problems between parents and adult children, or between siblings, may become chronic and painful.  We help families recognize these dynamics and resolve them through family consultation.