Family Therapy

Most families can benefit from professional help at some time. In the Niagara Region you can access my family counselling experience.

Every parent knows that different children respond differently. In fact each child responds differently at different times. Nothing always works. Parents need many approaches. My therapy is aimed at helping our Niagara parents to develop options.

We all remember ways our own parents raised us and may copy some of those ways. Or we may decide to do the opposite with our own kids. One day, especially in stressful situations, we may find ourselves sounding just like mom or dad. That may be okay. Or we may want to stop, take a deep breath, and start over. Definitely we want to demonstrate adult behavior.

How Kids Grow

Kids need to develop a sense of self. They need to explore, to learn, to master skills. In doing this they move back and forth, first testing themselves, then reconnecting with the security of the trusted parent. Parenting is a balancing act.

Trying new things can mean the children push against their parents’ restrictions. We parents are constantly balancing between encouraging growth and learning, while maintaining safety and good behavior. Parents are the first sounding boards for their children’s ideas and feelings. Eventually the children develop their own judgment.

Parents can use reflective listening to encourage their children to talk through their problems.  Show respect for the child’s ideas by commenting with interest and by asking leading questions. This can be easier said than done. It is only too easy to lapse into giving unwanted advice.

Teens Are Something Else

Adolescents often avoid talking in depth with their parents. It is hard to just get a conversation going. Also teens can carry experimentation and confrontation to extremes. At such times parents need considerable self control to remain calm and firm, to act as adult role models.

Whatever their ages have some fun with your children. Memories of happy, loving times are the glue that holds the family together when differences arise.

Call or email me to get help now. 

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