What is parental counselling?

 

Parental counselling is an inseparable part of any therapeutic intervention that involves minors. It offers support and guidance to parents with any issues or difficulties experienced by their child/children. The parents are asked to provide details about their understanding of the situation and relevant information about their child and the family as a whole. They then discuss with the therapist any needs or matters that have come up, setting a goal to work towards.

 

Parental counselling is under no circumstances a place where parents are being told about all their “mistakes” by an expert. It is an energetic and dynamic process between parents and therapist based on honesty, understanding and respect. The parents are being empowered to discover their strengths, to notice what they are already doing well and to build on it, exploring the ways in which they interact and affect behaviors, symptoms or a problem that might appear. 

 

 

What happens when the child has asked to see a therapist?

 

Even if a child or adolescent has asked the parents to receive individual therapy, parental counselling is still essential. The positive and therapeutic presences of adults in a child’s life (therapist, teacher, relative) are extremely important but a child’s parents will always be the most significant influences, meaning that they have a far greater power to create positive change.

 

What happens if the child does not wish to come to therapy?

 

When a child does not wish to come to therapy after referrals and suggestions, a great deal can be achieved through parental counselling. We believe that when a child has difficult experiences or symptoms, the family can take action towards bringing about positive therapeutic change.  Parents in today’s societies are carrying a heavy burden, the demands and expectations of their role are ever increasing and becoming more complex. However, they are often given no to little support and guidance. In parental counselling they can explore how to best fulfil their expectations about their role, to bring about positive change and experience psychological wellbeing within the family.

 

Matters that can be placed within Parental Counselling:

 

• Improving communication and conflict resolution

• Setting boundaries

• Phobias and anxiety

• School refusal

• Psychosomatic symptoms

• Issues pertaining to food intake

• Addictions and violence

• Issues pertaining to soiling in younger children

• Parental counselling and support when children have been diagnosed with: • Autism •ADHD