When parents are supported and guided, troubled children do well. This is where I can help.
Margaret Puckette is a compassionate and experienced parenting specialist for those with a troubled child, teen, or young adult with a serious behavioral challenge or addiction. She has been acknowledged as a Certified Parent Support Provider (CPSP) by the Federation of Families for Children’s Mental Health in Washington DC. Her book, “Raising Troubled Kids,” offers practical, clinically sound, and frank information on how to effectively parent a difficult child, support their future, and reduce stress at home.
“I draw on mental health research and current professional practices, my social work experience, experience as a parent, and wisdom gleaned from 100’s of other parents. It is possible to manage a trying and stressful family situation and keep your own wellbeing intact. You have strengths to draw upon that you may not have realized; maybe you need a simple way to address a chronic problem that seems unsolvable; or maybe a few new skills or household practices that can improve everyone’s wellbeing.
My Story
“Life with a schizoaffective teen,” tells what happened in my life, and what I discovered about raising a child whose symptoms became noticeable around age 12. I needed to parent so differently than ‘normal’ children, but no one told me what my child needed or showed me how. Unintentionally, I made many mistakes that worsened my child’s condition.
Searching for help, I dove into the books, read everything I could, and questioned mental health professionals and other families. I also got important counseling for myself. I discovered I needed to reach out for help to extended family members and friends and asked them to be part of her “team.” She is in recovery as an adult, and her family will be there for her for her lifetime. I started mentoring other parents as a volunteer, eventually becoming a professional family support partner, an author on raising children with mental disorders, and professional counselor.
I am passionate about helping parents get ahead
of their child’s illness, avoid mistakes, and stay strong
so they can give their child a better chance in life.
Child and Family Mental Health Work Experience
- Parenting Specialist, I specialize in counseling parents and caregivers with who raise children with serious behavioral problems and addictions, ages 10 to 25+.
- Certified Parent Support Provider – conferred by the Federation of Families for Children’s Mental Health. This certification requires over 2000 hours providing family support under the direct supervision of a licensed mental health professional, over 100 continuing education units during that period, and passing a rigorous 3 hour exam on the principles of counseling and family support.
- Certified Mental Health First Aid USA provider – National Council for Behavioral Health
- “Talk It Over” – Support group facilitator since 1999 for parents and siblings of a child, teen, or young adult with a behavioral disorder.
- Family Partner, Trillium Family Services, Portland, Oregon – I started a program to support families as a peer; revised documents to use family friendly language; and trained staff on what parents needed, practical advice and support for raising their child… but also self-care and family balance.
- Family Partner, Wraparound Oregon, Portland Oregon – I mentored and coached families of youth with mental disorders who were involved in the juvenile justice system.
Author
- “Raising Troubled Kids – Help for Parents of Children with Mental Illness or Emotional Disorders,” by Margaret Puckette, 2008
- Blog: https://margaret-puckette.com/articles/
- Facebook page
Speaker
Instructor: Psychological First Aid for supporting disaster victims, Portland Bureau of Emergency Management, 2018, 2019
NAMI Oregon Annual Conference, Salem OR, 2018
Children’s Mental Health Conference Portland OR, 2011 and 2012
Grandparents Raising Grandchildren, Portland OR, 2010, 2011, and 2012
Family to Family, Portland State University, Portland OR, 2009
American Association of Children’s Residential Centers, San Diego CA, 2008
American Association of Children’s Residential Centers, Tampa FL, 2006
Guest lectures
Portland State University: post graduate classes in the School of Social Work
Portland State University: undergraduate classes in Social Studies
Oregon Health Sciences University: graduate class for psychiatric nurse practitioners, School of Nursing
George Fox University: post doctoral class for clinical psychologists, Department of Clinical Psychology
Oregon Health Sciences University: Presentation for child and adolescent psychiatrists
Multiple locations: Mental health first aid after disasters
Media
- Oregonian interview on lack of mental health services for children in Oregon
- Oregonian interview on the subject of violence and mental illness
- Oregon Public Broadcasting interview on the subject of teens and mental illness
- KATU-TV interview on the subject of bullying in schools
- Clear Channel FM 107.1 interview on the subject of bullying and child behavior
- KOIN-TV News interview on the subject of depression in children
- Oregonian stories on my support group, here and here
Advocacy
- Member: Family Workforce Association – Alliance of parent peer professionals in Oregon, 2018
- Family representative/adviser for the child and adolescent psychiatric program at Unity Hospital, Portland OR, 2016 – 2017
- Letter of Commendation – Oregon Council of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, for “contribution to the well-being of adolescents and families with serious emotional and mental health issues.” 2012
- Volunteer for the National Alliance on Mental Illness, ongoing
- Chair, Benton County Mental Health Advisory Board, OR, 4 years
- Member, Commission on Children and Families, Benton County, OR 4 years
Online publications
DrLaura.com: “Typical Parenting Mistakes: 9 Ways We Make Things Worse“, 2017
Wellness.com: “Life With a Schizoaffective Teen“, 2017
ProfessorsHouse.com: “Is my Teen ‘Normal’ Crazy or Seriously Troubled?“, 2017
Recognition
“The Oregon Council of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry commends Margaret Puckette for your contribution to the wellbeing of adolescents and families with emotional and mental health issues. Your book “Raising Troubled Kids” has helped many parents and is helpful to families internationally. The members of OCCAP look forward to work together with you, and to learn even more from you in the future.”
–Marvin Rose, MD, President, 2012
Other
Stand-up comic with Mental Health At the Mic
