If your child or teen is experiencing a behavioral or emotional concern, it can be difficult to know how to respond. You may find that some strategies work well, while at other times, you may feel that nothing you do or say seems to work. Additionally, your child or teen may not be willing to attend or actively participate in therapy. The good news is that research highly supports the use of a parent-directed approach; in other words, parent-focused therapy has been shown to be is as effective as individual therapy with children for anxiety and behavioral issues!
What are parent problem-solving sessions?
The goal of parent problem-solving sessions is to equip parents with a clear plan of action, including strategies that have been proven effective, to help their child or teen manage current challenges.
Who would benefit from parent problem-solving sessions?
Parent problem-solving sessions are a good fit for any parent of a child/teen experiencing anxiety, depression, behavioral issues, or school concerns. The program is particularly helpful for:
· Parents of young children who may not be ready to participate in individual therapy
· Parents of children/teens who refuse to participate in therapy
· Families with busy after-school schedules
· Parents who are interested in a brief, solution-focused approach, rather than long-term therapy
How do parent problem-solving sessions help?
Parent involvement is an essential component of treatment for any child/teen experiencing a behavioral or emotional concern. Therefore, the Parent Problem-Solving Program is helpful for “jump-starting” this important part of the therapy process.
Additionally, current research shows that children/teens with behavioral or emotional concerns can make the same (if not greater) gains when parents work directly with a psychologist as when they attend session themselves.
How do parent problem-solving sessions work?
The number of parent problem-solving sessions can vary based on needs, but usually includes 4-6 one-hour, parent-only sessions with a therapist. Sessions are:
· Individualized. Parents meet one-on-one with a therapist to discuss prioritized concerns and questions. This allows the therapist to personalize strategies and recommendations to best support each family.
· Solutions-focused. The primary focus of the program is on identifying helpful solutions that can be implemented right away. In collaboration with the therapist, parents will develop concrete goals and action steps to enact change as soon as possible.
All parent problem-solving sessions occur during daytime hours (approximately 10am-2pm). In most cases, sessions are covered by insurance (for those with Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO or Traditional plans).
Contact
For more information about the program, contact Dr. Becky Thomson (bthomson@thrivingminds.info) or call our offices directly and ask specifically for Parent Problem-Solving.