Parenting Support

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In this work, I am the ally of the children, the ones you carry internally and the ones you parent.

I have worked with children, young people and families in crisis for over 20 years in both voluntary, private and local authority organisations, supporting children, young people and parents/carers to feel empowered to make choices that enhance their own and the child’s wellbeing. I have worked in families’ homes and children’s centres, facilitated parenting groups, supported parents to learn play skills that encourage attunement and confidence, and worked with parents and carers to support traumatised children, improve connection, and increase the bonds between them and the child.

Becoming parents, often only having had our own ‘being parented’ histories to guide us through what is the most difficult job (one which we cannot resign or easily walk away from), is hard. There are of course many parenting books and courses that offer direction but without someone to discuss your specific family difficulties with, these can often only glean limited change, especially when their focus is on changing the child’s behaviour alone.

 We know that the conditions in which we grew up affect the way we think and interact with the world, and all our relationships. My experience has shown me that one of the main difficulties in families is often created when the two parties come together to raise a child and, whilst they want the same outcome, they have differing views as to how to achieve this. 
I believe if parents are given the opportunity to explore their views and beliefs, they can make choices from a place of awareness, and go beyond the merging of their histories, to create an individual family way of being in relationship with each other, and with their child. I enjoy supporting couples of any gender to parent in a more considered way, that can come from a greater awareness of their own thought-out choices and wisdom.

 The other main difficulty in my experience is when one or both parents have not healed their own attachment traumas, and these are being played out within the parent/child dynamic.  This may require one or both of the parties to enter individual therapy.

These situations I can help with.  

During an initial assessment consultation your needs, aims and wishes of Parenting Support will be discussed and clarified to ensure we are working together toward the same goals.

As part of gaining a deeper understanding of any presenting concerns, I can do home visits to observe family dynamics, and offer my opinions on what may support connection and understanding.