PARENT COUNSELLING
Parenting is one of the most difficult jobs in the world, and yet it is potentially one of the most meaningful, joyful and soulful experiences that one can ever experience.
In addition to parent counselling as an integral part of the play therapy treatment program, I also offer consultations with parents who are looking to improve their relationship with their child, and to handle behavioural or emotional difficulties more effectively.
I firmly believe that there is no such a thing as a "bad" child, but that children's difficult behaviours are the child's attempt at coping with the world in the best way that he knows how. I also believe that there is no such a thing as a perfect parent, and that most times, parents are simply trying to cope in the best way that they know how. This is often in accordance with the same ineffective parenting patterns that they experienced as children. I therefore approach my work with parents in a non-judgemental, respectful way, and build a trusting, collaborative approach to working together to help a child reach his potential.
While providing parents with tons of practical parenting tips and techniques, my parenting consultations go beyond this. I believe that children's behaviours are an expression of communication, and together with the parents, I help you discover what your child is trying to tell you, and how you can meet her needs.
In most cases, when we teach children skills for coping, and meet their developmental needs, inappropriate behaviour patterns will disappear. At the centre of my approach is a strong belief in the power of the parent-child relationship. I teach parents how to build and nurture the special parent- child bond , and show how PLAY, the child's developmental language, can strengthen this connection.
I provide parents alternatives to yelling and punishment as a means of behaviour control. Instead we work towards understanding your particular child's unique needs , and how to enhance self control in your child , so that she will want to cooperate.
Together , we set individualized goals for your specific child, and I help you to bring back the joy in parenting, and allow your child to thrive.
In addition to parent counselling as an integral part of the play therapy treatment program, I also offer consultations with parents who are looking to improve their relationship with their child, and to handle behavioural or emotional difficulties more effectively.
I firmly believe that there is no such a thing as a "bad" child, but that children's difficult behaviours are the child's attempt at coping with the world in the best way that he knows how. I also believe that there is no such a thing as a perfect parent, and that most times, parents are simply trying to cope in the best way that they know how. This is often in accordance with the same ineffective parenting patterns that they experienced as children. I therefore approach my work with parents in a non-judgemental, respectful way, and build a trusting, collaborative approach to working together to help a child reach his potential.
While providing parents with tons of practical parenting tips and techniques, my parenting consultations go beyond this. I believe that children's behaviours are an expression of communication, and together with the parents, I help you discover what your child is trying to tell you, and how you can meet her needs.
In most cases, when we teach children skills for coping, and meet their developmental needs, inappropriate behaviour patterns will disappear. At the centre of my approach is a strong belief in the power of the parent-child relationship. I teach parents how to build and nurture the special parent- child bond , and show how PLAY, the child's developmental language, can strengthen this connection.
I provide parents alternatives to yelling and punishment as a means of behaviour control. Instead we work towards understanding your particular child's unique needs , and how to enhance self control in your child , so that she will want to cooperate.
Together , we set individualized goals for your specific child, and I help you to bring back the joy in parenting, and allow your child to thrive.
Child Parent Relationship (C-P-R) Therapy / Filial Therapy
Do you want to bring your relationship with your child to a whole new level? One of my favourite play therapy interventions is "Filial Therapy", also known as Child Parent Relationship (C-P-R ) Therapy. This method uses the naturally existing bond between parent and child, to enable parents to become the therapeutic agent in a child's life. It also uses children's natural abilty to express themselves through play. Through the filal therapy program, parents are trained in basic play therapy skills, and then hold weekly special playtime sessions with their child.
In our frenetic world, when we are consumed with work and day-to-day activities ,filial therapy allows parent and child the opportunity to spend a magical half hour every week building and strengthening their relationship.The parent provides a warm, safe,caring and accepting environment, where children can express their feelings, and share their world through play.
The skills used in the playtime sessions gradually become naturally incorporated in the everyday interactions between parent and child, so that parents will begin to use such skills as empathy, acceptance, encouragement and limit setting as a way of being with their child.
Filial therapy is a researched-based method, and has over 30 scientific studies supporting its effectiveness with a variety of presenting issues. (see Resources )
So how does it work in practice?
I meet with parents either in person, or where this is not possible we can meet on SKYPE. We can meet one on one, or in a group format of 10 sessions. I would assess what I think would be the most suitable for your particular needs. I train parents in implementing the approach, and we do role playing and practice sessions, as well as supervision of the special playtime sessions
that the parents then implement with their children. I also provide relevant information and tools on a number of pertinent topics relating to children's developmental needs.
In particular through the filial therapy program parents will learn how to:
- strengthen the bond between parent and child
- impose limits without punishment
- teach your child independence and responsibility
- build your child's self confidence
- increase the emotional intelligence of your child
- see the world through the eyes of your child
- change unwanted habits in the home
- deal with many more issues, such as children's fears, sibling rivalry, anger, aggression and tantrums .
If your child or family is going through a difficult time, and you would like to nurture your relationship with your child, and help her with her challenges, then filial therapy could be the answer. Please contact me to set up an appointment.
Filial Therapy is suitable mainly for children in the 3- 10 age group, although accommodations can be made for slightly younger or older children.
In our frenetic world, when we are consumed with work and day-to-day activities ,filial therapy allows parent and child the opportunity to spend a magical half hour every week building and strengthening their relationship.The parent provides a warm, safe,caring and accepting environment, where children can express their feelings, and share their world through play.
The skills used in the playtime sessions gradually become naturally incorporated in the everyday interactions between parent and child, so that parents will begin to use such skills as empathy, acceptance, encouragement and limit setting as a way of being with their child.
Filial therapy is a researched-based method, and has over 30 scientific studies supporting its effectiveness with a variety of presenting issues. (see Resources )
So how does it work in practice?
I meet with parents either in person, or where this is not possible we can meet on SKYPE. We can meet one on one, or in a group format of 10 sessions. I would assess what I think would be the most suitable for your particular needs. I train parents in implementing the approach, and we do role playing and practice sessions, as well as supervision of the special playtime sessions
that the parents then implement with their children. I also provide relevant information and tools on a number of pertinent topics relating to children's developmental needs.
In particular through the filial therapy program parents will learn how to:
- strengthen the bond between parent and child
- impose limits without punishment
- teach your child independence and responsibility
- build your child's self confidence
- increase the emotional intelligence of your child
- see the world through the eyes of your child
- change unwanted habits in the home
- deal with many more issues, such as children's fears, sibling rivalry, anger, aggression and tantrums .
If your child or family is going through a difficult time, and you would like to nurture your relationship with your child, and help her with her challenges, then filial therapy could be the answer. Please contact me to set up an appointment.
Filial Therapy is suitable mainly for children in the 3- 10 age group, although accommodations can be made for slightly younger or older children.
Filial Therapy for families dealing with illness
I provide a special focus filial therapy program for parents of a family in which one of the members is seriously ill. When a child is ill, the child may be experiencing feelings of loss of control, fear of medical procedures, anger or anxiety. When a sibling is ill, a lot of the parents' focus will be on the sick child, leaving the sibling feeling unsupported. A parent's illness can cause a lot of anxiety and tension in a child, with fears of losing the parent, or taking on responsibilities in the family which he may not be able to handle.
In all of these cases, young children may be unable to express in words what they are feeling, and parents may wish to communicate with the child, but be unable to find the right words, or really understand what their child is going through. This leaves the child feeling alone and unsupported, at a time when he so desperately needs understanding and support.
Filial Therapy is an excellent solution in these families, as it provides the child with an opportunity for emotional expression through play, in a secure, loving and accepting environment. It further strengthens the parent -child bond at a time when it is most needed by the child.
I also help parents identify and deal with the special challenges faced by a family coping with serious illness.
In all of these cases, young children may be unable to express in words what they are feeling, and parents may wish to communicate with the child, but be unable to find the right words, or really understand what their child is going through. This leaves the child feeling alone and unsupported, at a time when he so desperately needs understanding and support.
Filial Therapy is an excellent solution in these families, as it provides the child with an opportunity for emotional expression through play, in a secure, loving and accepting environment. It further strengthens the parent -child bond at a time when it is most needed by the child.
I also help parents identify and deal with the special challenges faced by a family coping with serious illness.