I believe that parents are in the best position to help their children.

I am a child and adolescent psychiatrist passionate about working with parents. I have found that I can be most helpful to children and families when I work directly with parents in what I call parenting-focused psychotherapy.

What is parenting-focused psychotherapy?

I want to help you use the relationship you already have with your child to support them. Parenting-focused therapy consists of weekly meetings where I hear about your child and we think together about:

  1. Your child’s behavior and emotions

  2. Your reactions to their behavior, and

  3. How best to help your child

1. Your child’s behavior and emotions

I will often start sessions by asking, “What is the worst thing that happened this week?” By hearing about these “worst” moments I can work with you to generate hypotheses about the meaning of your child’s behavior and emotions.

I believe that understanding the meaning of your child’s behavior and emotions is the most powerful tool we have to help them.

2. Your reactions to their behavior

Having a child who is suffering can stir up deep feelings of despair and helplessness. It can be hard to stay calm in difficult moments and parent in the way you would like to. If your child has a mental illness, or is just having a hard time, you likely need more support. 

In parenting, as in life, there is often a huge gap between what you want to do and what you are able to do. This is where parenting-focused psychotherapy can help!

I can help you better understand the difficult feelings that are stirred up by your child and make it easier to stay calm during tough moments. With regular meetings and consistent support, I can help you respond to your child in a way that is more aligned with your goals.

3. How to help your child

You likely have questions about how best to help your child. In the beginning, I may have suggestions about things you can do or say to be helpful. However, you know your child best, and over time, we will develop your ability to come up with solutions yourself.

As a parent, you are more important to your child than I, as their therapist, could ever be. Strengthening your relationship with your child can significantly improve your child’s well-being and resilience.

Through our work you can become a positive resource and support for your child, now and for the rest of your life.