How does parent guidance work?
Parent guidance is a focused process in which the parents are the clients — not the child. Together we look at what happens at home, identify the cycles that keep repeating, and build different ways of responding that you can put into practice this very week.
- Structured behavioural guidance
- Work on parental emotional regulation
- An age-appropriate developmental approach
- Support for parents of a child with special needs
- Guidance for divorced parents
- Liaison with kindergarten and school
What is parent guidance?
Understanding the guidance process
Parent guidance is a professional space in which you can understand your child better and receive practical tools for coping. It is suitable even when the child is not in therapy, and sometimes it is all that is needed for things at home to change.
Most parents have already tried everything — and that is exactly what is so exhausting. Parent guidance doesn’t ask you to try harder, but differently. It starts with understanding what lies behind the child’s behaviour: a need, a regulation difficulty, anxiety or an attempt to gain control. From there a more consistent and calmer response is built. Alongside this there is room for you too — for the frustration, guilt and tiredness that come with parenting.
What you can gain from parent guidance
Parent guidance is considered the most effective intervention for behavioural difficulties in early childhood and school age, and in many cases it is more effective than direct therapy with the child. The reason is simple: parents are with the child every day, and change happens in the child’s natural environment rather than in the therapy room.
A calmer home
A real reduction in the number and intensity of daily struggles — around meals, sleep, screens and leaving the house.
Confidence in parenting
A sense that you know what to do in difficult moments, instead of reacting out of frustration and then regretting it.
Consistency between parents
Agreement between both parents on a clear approach, so the child receives a consistent message and doesn’t try to navigate between two positions.
A better relationship with your child
Less conflict and more good moments — an improvement in the quality of the relationship, not only in behaviour.
Signs worth paying attention to
When parent guidance can help
- Daily outbursts that are hard to contain
- Feeling you shout more than you’d like to
- Ongoing disagreement between the parents
- Everyday routines that have turned into a struggle
- When the educational staff raise a concern
- After a significant change in the family
- When there is a child with special needs
- When you feel worn out and lost
Good to Know
Useful information before you begin.
How to Choose a Therapist
Clinical and Educational Psychologist — What’s the Difference?
When to Consider Therapy
Confidentiality in Therapy
The First Session — What to Expect
Psychodidactic Assessment — Who It Is For
ASD Assessment — How the Process Works
Frequently asked questions
Common questions
Does the child need to come?
Usually not. Parent guidance is held with the parents only, and this is one of its advantages: you can start even when the child refuses therapy or is too young. Sometimes one introductory session with the child is included.
How is this different from therapy for the child?
In therapy for the child, the work is done directly with them, and they are the one who comes to sessions. In parent guidance you receive the tools and apply them at home. Quite often we start with parent guidance, and move on to direct therapy only if needed.
How many sessions are needed?
Guidance processes tend to be short and focused. Many parents notice a real change within a few sessions, and a full process often takes between eight and fifteen sessions, depending on complexity.
Do both parents need to come?
It is strongly recommended that you both take part, because consistency between parents is one of the most influential factors. That said, you can also start with one parent, and often the change in that parent leads to change in the whole home.
What if we are divorced parents?
Parent guidance is also very suitable for separated or divorced parents, and sometimes it takes place separately with each parent. The focus is on the child’s wellbeing and on building functioning co-parenting, not on resolving the couple’s conflict.
