Parenting support

You don’t need to be in crisis or have a child with a diagnosis to reach out. Parents come to see me for many reasons, including:

• Feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or unsure how to support their child
• Noticing familiar family patterns they’d like to approach differently
• Looking for practical guidance or answers to specific questions
• Wanting a supportive space to think things through, vent, or feel heard
• Needing help navigating differences in caregiving styles, whether that is between co-parents, grandparents, or other caregivers
• Building on what’s working, even when things are going well
• Preparing for upcoming transitions, changes, or challenges
• Finding that parenting brings up strong reactions or difficult experiences from their own childhood

Parenting support usually involves meeting with you, without your child present. This gives you space to speak openly, reflect, and explore different approaches.

I don’t offer family therapy. The focus of these appointments is on supporting you as a parent or caregiver. If involving your child for a specific purpose might be helpful, we can discuss that together.

Yes. Your child doesn’t need to attend therapy for us to work together. We can explore what you’re noticing, how you respond, and what is within your influence as a parent.

This might include supporting your child through big emotions, setting boundaries, reducing conflict, or finding ways to connect without adding pressure. For children experiencing anxiety or OCD, we can also work on gradually changing responses that bring short-term relief but may keep difficulties going, such as repeated reassurance, helping them avoid feared situations, or participating in rituals. The aim is to remain warm and supportive while building your child’s confidence in handling discomfort.

We can also explore how to talk with your child about getting support while respecting their perspective and readiness.

It is normal to not agree on everything. It’s also normal for parenting differences to cause stress. We can explore the expectations, experiences, and values behind your approaches, where you get stuck, and how to respond in ways that are clearer and more consistent for your child.

My focus is on supporting you in your parenting role. I don’t offer couples therapy or specialize in co-parenting after separation or divorce. If that is the main support you’re seeking, a clinician with expertise in that area may be a better fit.

No. One parent or caregiver can attend on their own.

Depending on your goals, involving other caregivers may be helpful, particularly when changes rely on shared understanding or consistent responses. We can discuss who to include and what is possible within your circumstances.

We’ll work together to figure out what works best for you.

One of my main roles is to ask questions and listen carefully so I can understand you, your child, and your family as a whole. I bring psychological knowledge, practical tools, and honest, compassionate feedback. You bring your knowledge of your child and family. Together, we’ll consider what fits your values, your child’s needs, and what is manageable in your daily life.

I draw from several different frameworks and ideas, including:

• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
• Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT, “Walking the Middle Path”)
• Collaborative Problem Solving
• Attachment theory
• Conscious parenting
• Emotion coaching

Depending on your goals, we might focus on strengthening connection, understanding and solving recurring problems together, becoming more aware of your own reactions, or changing responses that unintentionally reinforce avoidance, anxiety, or OCD.

That depends on what you’re hoping for. Some parents want a few focused appointments around a particular question; others benefit from ongoing support as they practise new approaches or navigate changing needs. We’ll discuss your goals and revisit what feels useful along the way.