PARENT SUPPORT
Parenting can be stressful - especially when we worry about our children's social-emotional well-being and how to best support our children. Whether you are hearing complaints from school, a child is complaining him or herself, there is tension at home, or you just have a feeling something is not right, a parent consultation and/or therapy may be helpful in assisting you in helping your child.
When should you consider a parent-child consultation?
There are many common situations that create a great deal of stress in the family. With some professional input tailored specifically to the personality and needs of your child, some small changes can go a long way in helping things go more smoothly both at home and in school. For example, a consultation might be helpful if:
When should you consider a parent-child consultation?
There are many common situations that create a great deal of stress in the family. With some professional input tailored specifically to the personality and needs of your child, some small changes can go a long way in helping things go more smoothly both at home and in school. For example, a consultation might be helpful if:
- You are feeling wiped out by morning or evening routines.
- You are concerned that your child seems overly sensitive or reactive.
- Your child is having a hard time with separations.
- Your child is getting into trouble at school.
- You have noticed a change in your child’s mood that concerns you.
- You want to help your child make friends more easily.
- Your child often doesn't seem to listen until you get angry and you find yourself in frequent power struggles.
- You are not feeling as close to your child as you wish.
- You are a new parent and have concerns about how you are connecting with your child.
Dr. Wachtel has extensive experience
studying early development as well as
parent-child interactions and relationships.
What is a parent-child consultation?
A consultation is an opportunity to speak with an experienced professional about your concerns and, collaboratively, to develop strategies to address them. You or your child do not have to have a major problem for a consultation to be helpful. Rather, consultations are designed to be brief, collaborative, and practical.
Dr. Wachtel works hard to gain a thorough understanding of your child and the issues you or your child are struggling with. All advice and strategies offered are individualized and specifically designed to work for you and your family.
As you try new interventions, you will meet with Dr. Wachtel to evaluate whether they have been successful and to “fine tune” them.
What does a consultation involve?
Typically, a consultation involves a session or two alone with the parents to learn about their concerns and to explore any strategies that they have already tried to employ. A meeting with the parents and child together is typically subsequently arranged. If the child is old enough to feel comfortable, Dr. Wachtel will also meet individually with your child. These meetings provide an opportunity to gain a complex understanding of the situation and of your child’s strengths, struggles, and unique personality. Specific recommendations to help your child are made throughout the consultation.
Parents will receive guidance and feedback during the consultation as they try out new strategies to help reduce stress and enable their child to thrive.
All advice and strategies
offered are individualized and
specifically designed to work for
you and your family.
Will you see my child individually?
Although at times Dr. Wachtel will meet individually with your child in order to better understand the problem and help your child learn new strategies, her primary aim is to help parents acquire the skills to help their children overcome their difficulties. As a parent, you know your child better than anybody and have the unique opportunity to help your child on a daily basis. In many instances, when parents apply the strategies developed during the consultation, these interventions at home are all that is needed to make a big difference. However, if it appears that your child would benefit from more extensive individual therapy, Dr. Wachtel will refer you to an appropriate therapist.