Parental Guidance 

For several years, I have been treating children and guiding parents. In many cases, it will be necessary for a child with specific difficulties to receive treatment. This may take many forms, including play therapy, CBT, or family therapy. In some circumstances, change can be made through the family unit. Specifically, guiding parents towards dealing with children who display difficulties can be very effective. Typically, I undertake parental guidance with the child’s primary caregivers. In most cases, this includes both parents and in some cases, it may include extended family or even caretakers.

 

When is parental guidance useful? 

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Life change

Specifically, parental guidance can be beneficial when a family is going through a significant change that will impact the child, such as divorce, the death of a family member, or immigration. At such times, guiding primary caregivers in dealing with such life changes may reduce the level of distress otherwise experienced by the child. My work in these situations will include guidance on discussing the changes around them with children and advice on minimizing the impact through additional supportive structures.

 

Dealing with behavioral difficulties

Although a child’s behavioral difficulties are often a response to a combination of factors, they are always sure to impact the rest of the family. In situations where a child is expressing problematic behavior, guiding parents in how to deal with the complex situations that arise can help both the child and the family. Guidance in such situations may include helping parents set boundaries and deal with aggressive or antisocial behavior effectively while still providing the child with a supportive and loving environment.

 

Dealing with fears, low self-esteem, and social problems

Like adults, many children sometimes feel stressed, insecure, and anxious. Although these feelings, to a certain extent, are part of everyday life and growing up, in some circumstances, they become elevated to the extent that they considerably impact a child’s well-being, happiness, and ability to develop. In many situations, it will be necessary for the child to receive individual or group therapy to deal with these difficulties. In addition to therapy, parental guidance is helpful for families dealing with such problems. Parents are guided on how to relate to their children’s fears and make changes in their environment in order to support their children.