I have been working with parents/caregivers and their teens for over 30 years as they face challenges in their lives and relationships.  I am also the parent of three adult children which allows me to bring a mix of personal and professional expertise and empathy to my practice. I know firsthand how challenging family dynamics can be, and I also know the incredible self-discovery that can happen along  the parenting/caregiving journey. I would love to help you reconnect with your young person and find a way back to a happier, more satisfying time with your family.  Even if just the adults come to therapy, the changes made can have a positive impact on the young person’s wellbeing, as well as on their behaviors.

Maybe the young person is struggling with substances or mental health.  Maybe they are engaging in really scary behaviors or it is unclear what they are doing or where they are.  Whatever the struggles are, it can cause such worry, fear, shame and anxiety for parents/caregivers.  Often parents feel like walking on eggshells, not able to do anything right, and a complete loss of control.  We can start acting and parenting in ways we never thought we would. 

I have supported parents through these times, starting with a deep understanding of how heavily society judges parents when youth are struggling, as well as how much we judge ourselves.  There is often a lot of grief and loss, of the life we thought we were going to have. I want to address the fears that can arise, and I especially want to bring back  hope.  Together we can discover practical and creative ways of parenting more effectively.  Making change is not about working harder at a time when already exhausted, but rather, about working differently. 

Ultimately, I can help you and your family understand each other better and move towards healthier, stronger relationships.