Parenting

The important of parental involvement

The way we are as parents has a profound impact on how our children develop. Our parenting skills affect our children’s coping skills. Our emotional state and the ways we express ourselves affect how our children feel and express themselves. Our well-being, resiliency and awareness are intimately linked to theirs.

Because of this, for therapy to be effective, it is often essential that parents be actively involved in treatment. Parental involvement can take a variety of forms. In some situations parents may participate in the child’s individual therapy when appropriate. In other situations therapy involving the whole family may be productive. And at times it is beneficial for the parents to have sessions on their own in order for them to cultivate their own resources and skills.

Here at P.A.P.A. we always keep in mind that the health of the child and the health of the family are inseparable. Because of this it is our goal to be sensitive not only to what is going on with the client coming into treatment, but also to what is going on in the entire family system that the client is a part of. Parenting training often helps to address some of these other important factors and in doing so makes treatment much more effective and lasting.