The best way to help a troubled child is to help their parents.
Hello, I am a parent peer counselor with over 22 years professional experience. I specialize in helping parents with a teenager or young adult with serious behavioral challenges or mental health problem or addiction. When I was trying to parent my troubled child, my lack of skills and my emotions hurt my ability to be a good parent. I wasn’t able to find good advice or emotional support, but I got plenty of bad advice, sometimes from professionals. My own mental health started failing, which only worsened my family’s mental health. I sought education, training, and experience so I could help others avoid the many pitfalls, and become experts at a very different way to parent.
Parenting a troubled child should never be a do-it-yourself project
As a parent peer counselor for many years, I’ve learned there is always an something that helps a child’s condition and their family situation. A peer counselor understands in ways that traditional professionals do not. I provide insights into the practical, day-to-day things parents need to know that matter most to mental health. It’s not easy, but even trying situations can be improved. After helping 100’s of parents, I’ve watched many turn their family’s life around. There is reason for hope! Parents with very challenging children need special help for their extreme situations.
Parenting a troubled child is nothing like what one does raising a ‘normal’ child. Commonsense techniques do not work–not praise, not incentives and disincentives, or strict rules, reasoning, consequences, and fairness. Doing these may even worsen your situation if they are the only options you use.
Let’s talk
If your family is struggling and nothing is working, let me help you make breakthroughs. What I teach is based in science and practiced by mental health professionals in care facilities. Challenging situations may be easier to resolve than you might think. You may have fears that are unfounded, and miss other things that pose much greater risk to you, your child, and your family. I want to help you avoid the trial-and-error approach, because errors with children like ours can be extremely serious.
There are no simple answers–a new path requires effort–but I promise you will feel relieved and hopeful after your first call.
If you have general questions, email me at: [email protected]. Read about my professional experience as a parent peer counselor here, and testimonials from clients.
Getting Started
1. Tell me Your Story (below)
Fill me in by answering the questions in the downloadable form. We can save much time on a call if I know something about your situation ahead of time. If helpful, we can set-up a free 20-minute conversation prior to any appointment to see if you are comfortable working with me.
2. Set up a meeting
I will contact you as soon as I receive your Story. We can set up a time that’s convenient for you, including evenings and weekends. If appropriate, I strongly encourage a couple to be on the call. It is not appropriate for me to speak directly with your child. This is for you and what you need as a parent for your own wellbeing. When you feel strong, safe, and secure with your parenting, you can make miracles.
3. Fee
I prefer payment in US$ using Venmo or PayPal, and can make other arrangements if you prefer. Each of two recommended sessions is US$175. I am always available for a crisis call, and follow-up via email or text.
For counseling sessions outside the U.S., calls will be set up via Skype or Google Meet.
Online Sessions
Sessions are usually 90 minutes. It takes at least an hour for the I’ve found deep insights and hope to emerge. Other family members are encouraged to join also. In the days and weeks following a session, I’m available if you need help with a new issue or if something’s not working. I will usually follow-up with a refeerral or link to other sources of support for you as they occur to me afterwards.
I recommend planning a second session 4 to 6 weeks later because new challenges will pop up. You should expect new challenges; it means that something is working!
What you can expect from a peer counselor and parent coach:
- That you know what’s best and will do what’s right
- Belief in you without judgement
- Respect and compassion from someone who’s walked the same path
- Clear practical steps for reducing your child’s negative symptoms;
- Techniques for communicating based on your child’s behavioral patterns;
- House rules that work, structure that works, and beneficial physical or treatment adjustments;
- Support for all family members and their important roles: how to help each other as a team, or how to repair important relationships.
- Answers for coping with: challenging and intolerable behavior, worry or anger, parent and sibling relationships, school, what to do after age 18, health care providers, and any challenges with friends or extended family.
Please read the Policies and Testimonials document.
Your Story
Please download this Word Document and tell me about your situation. Taking as much space as you like. Attach it to an email to me at [email protected], or you can cut-and-paste a copy into the body of an email. Absolutely everything you share is kept confidential as required by U.S. regulations on health information privacy or HIPPA.
Questions about fees or anything else about my services are welcome anytime: [email protected]