That is what can make parenting such a joy and a challenge! Parenting is hard and not for the faint of heart. There are moments where you may feel like you are alone and moments where you feel like you have crushed it! That is part of the process and very normal. Below are some of the common myths that have been conveyed to me during my work with parents:

• My child’s behaviors are my fault.
• I am not good enough for what my child needs.
• I am afraid I will screw up my child.
• I don’t know how to connect with my child.
• My kids fight all the time, and I only know how to avoid it or yell at them.

These are struggles that many parents face, and many don’t know where to turn. Counseling for parents, regardless of relationship to their child (birth, foster, relative, or adoptive), can truly benefit the relationship. All positive change begins with relationships, and parents are the most influencing agents of change during the early childhood years. The great thing about this is that it is never too late to improve and/or repair the relationships.

Counseling Topics
Exploring and exposing those myths for what they are, which are simply fallacies, allow parents to take an assertive step toward regaining confidence in their parenting approaches. Topics in counseling may include:

• Identifying parenting styles
• Setting healthy boundaries
• Anger management techniques
• Use of effective reward/punishment systems
• Emotional identification that will help you feel more connected to your child

Parent Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT)
One evidence-based treatment method utilized by our clinicians is called Parent Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT). PCIT has a proven track record of effectiveness in improving the parent child relationship while building stronger parenting skills. It is utilized for treatment for young children with behavioral problems.

PCIT works through experiential practice sessions where you and your child are both involved in the therapy session oftentimes in a playroom where the therapist will observe interactions through the use of a video feed or a one-way mirror. Through the use of these observations and follow up discussions you will learn skills that will aid in managing your child’s behaviors. “PCIT is done across two treatment phases.

The first phase of treatment focuses on establishing warmth in the relationship with your child through learning and applying skills proven to help children feel calm, secure in their relationships with their parents, and good about themselves. The second phase of treatment will equip you to manage the most challenging of your child’s behaviors while remaining confident, calm, and consistent in your approach to discipline”. www.pcit.org

At Three Oaks Counseling & Psychiatry, we have experienced therapists on-site and remotely that can help guide you in this process because there are times where parenting can just be overwhelming. Through the practice of authentic exchanges with a skilled professional and turning your perceived imperfections into key strengths we can impact your ability to emotionally connect with your child/ren in ways that never seemed possible. Counseling is a process and takes time but it all begins with one leap of faith.