Online, Serving Lafayette and All of California
Parenting Therapy
Are you feeling overwhelmed by the constant demands of parenting, struggling with your child's behavior, or finding it hard to balance discipline and affection? You may be wondering how to help an anxious child or a child who has trouble with emotional regulation. Sometimes parents are challenged by an adult child who has “failure to launch”.
Many parents face the daunting challenge of navigating sleepless nights, temper tantrums, and the pressure to be perfect.
Working with a parenting therapist in California can help turn things around for your family.
Having spent the last 25 years facilitating positive change with the complicated parenting challenges enountered in a community children’s mental health clinic, I am prepared to help you tackle the most difficult behavioral problems and special needs issues.
Throughout my 25 years working in community children's mental health, schools, and private practice, I have honed my skill with teen, child, and family therapy. I taught a variety of parenting classes, worked with divorcing and blended families, and facilitated parenting support groups. If you choose to work with me, you can be confident that you are working with an experienced child, teen, and parenting therapist.
CALL TODAY to learn more about parenting therapy and my approach.
Building Positive Qualities in Your Child is More Effective Than Focusing on Eliminating Problems
Whatever your specific parenting challenges are, I have solutions that increase mutual respect and build on your child's intrinsic problem solving skills. In addition to offering coping strategies for parents of anxious kids, I help parents guides children under my coaching, using a strategic approach that recognizes your child's inner capacity for problem solving.
The Nurtured Heart Approach
Since kids are energy detectives, I help you put your energy into behavior you DO want, rather than behavior you DON’T want. I utilize theory and techniques from the “nurtured heart approach”.
One powerful technique in this approach is “Kodak moments”. I show you the why and the how of this technique. I practice what I preach by noticing parental strengths and helping you recognize them in yourselves.
When you can do this for yourself, it is that much easier to do it for your kids.
Learn More About My Positive Parenting Approach
Parenting Therapy Includes:
☀️ Setting Goals
We will get right to work, by discussing goals, theory, and identifying desired “qualities of greatness” you would like to grow in your children.
☀️ Looking For Evidence
Next, we look for evidence that these “qualities of greatness” already exist in your child. Then we highlight these strengths, which is like “watering and nurturing seeds” in order to grow desired behavior and qualities. We use this positive parenting approach, rather than focusing on, and "weeding out”, problems. We leverage and increase positive behavior through attention and targeted enthusiasm.
☀️ Practicing By Giving Yourself Positive Attention First
In each parenting session, I typically begin with the same positive focus on the parents’ growth and success. I ask that parents notice and name their own strengths each week, thereby starting on a positive note and putting theory into practice. This both demonstrates the method and conveys how it feels (and works) to be on the receiving end of the recognition.
☀️ Learning by watching, role playing, and repetition
Bring your examples, successes and failures, and we will practice. I will model the techniques and coach you in practicing until the techniques become second nature.
Although the theory is simple, it takes practice and guidance to master these skills and remember to apply them when feelings get in the way. Working with an experienced parenting therapist will be well worth the effort as you watch the results grow.
Think Outside the Box…
Learn Do It Yourself Play Therapy
As a trained play therapist, I teach parents the same child-centered play therapy techniques I use in my practice. This isn't modified parenting advice—it's authentic play therapy methodology adapted for the home environment.
Child-centered play therapy follows the child's lead completely. I guide parents to set aside judgment, resist the urge to direct or teach, and instead reflect their child's feelings and choices. When parents learn to say "You decided the dragon feels scared" instead of "Why don't you make the dragon brave?" they create the same therapeutic conditions that facilitate healing in my office.
The magic happens when parents commit to just 30 minutes per week of focused, child-centered play under my guidance as their parenting therapist. During these sessions, you'll follow specific protocols: reflecting content and feelings, setting only safety limits, and allowing your child complete emotional expression through play.
This approach is even more powerful than traditional play therapy because healing happens within the parent-child relationship itself. Children don't just process their emotions—they experience unconditional acceptance from their primary attachment figure. When implemented correctly with professional guidance, these techniques create lasting transformation that extends far beyond our therapy sessions, strengthening family bonds while addressing behavioral and emotional challenges.
