Nothing quite prepares you for the journey of parenthood. No matter how many parenting skills you might think you have, your children will continue to surprise you with their needs, feelings, and individual personalities. You can read all the books and glean all the expert info, but until you're truly raising a child, it's impossible to understand the physical and emotional toll parenting takes.

As an experienced mental health professional and parent of two adult children, I feel honored to help others strengthen their confidence, restore their identities, and increase their sense of connectivity with their children. Your mental health is so paramount during this time, and it's important to feel supported in your role as a parent.

In my work, I specialize in helping parents experiencing some or more of the following concerns:

Adjusting to Parenting and Raising Children

The postpartum period can feel tumultuous for new parents. Sleep deprivation, changing family dynamics, and anxiety about your child's health or well-being can all represent a form of upheaval. Postpartum difficulties can affect one or both parents, although symptoms may look different for mothers and fathers.

Therapy can help you during this time if you're struggling with:

• feeling like you and your partner aren't on the same page with parenting duties

• postpartum depression, anxiety, or other stressors impacting your emotional well-being

• redefining your identity as a parent while also maintaining your own autonomy

• setting work-life or family boundaries

• feelings of isolation or uncertainty surrounding your parenting

Reconciling Relationship Stress

How connected do you feel to your partner? When was the last time you two had a date night? How do you feel about your sex life?

If these questions are hard for you to answer, it might speak to some relational difficulties you're experiencing. Parenting can affect every part of a relationship, and issues may arise when couples approach raising their children with differing parenting styles.

Therapy can help strengthen your relationship by:

• exploring and clarifying your own parenting values

• establishing transparent boundaries and expectations with your partner about your parenting role

• practicing self-care and healthy coping to manage stress effectively

• fostering a sense of consistency to be a united front for your children

• exploring themes around trust, intimacy, and friendship in your relationship

Managing Parental Burnout and Exhaustion

Caring for children is a full-time job that's inherently demanding, and the expectations and roles change regularly. You're probably doing your best, but sleep deprivation, financial stress, and the constant feeling of "being rushed" certainly take their toll. To top it off, you may then feel guilt if you're not "enjoying every moment."

If you're struggling with burnout, therapy can help you:

• process emotions surrounding guilt, anxiety, fear, and sadness

• learn how to identify and assert boundaries related to self-care and delegating certain parenting tasks

• reestablish a sense of personal autonomy amid your familial responsibilities

• discern whether you need to shift around certain priorities to obtain a better sense of balance in your daily routine

Raising Children With Special Considerations

If your child has unique mental, physical, or behavioral issues, some of the conventional 'parenting skills' may seem to fall flat or backfire altogether. This can be frustrating, especially if you're being inundated with cliched advice about "what you should try." Of course, all parents want what's best for their children, but what if you don't know the best approach for navigating your child's temperament?

Over the years, I have supported many parents raising children with various difficulties, including social anxiety, learning difficulties, ADHD, substance use, and more. These symptoms can impact the entire family unit, and it's important for parents to address their needs along with the needs of their child's.

If you're raising a child:

• providing emotional support as you unpack your own feelings, needs, and experiences

• learning how to communicate effectively with your child

• strengthening empathy and patience for your child's unique difficulties

• tending to your your teen’s mental health concerns appropriately

• improving parenting skills tailored to your child's specific needs and well-being

• increasing a sense of cohesion and connectivity among family members

Building Confidence and Trusting Your Parenting Skills

Many parents struggle with some self-doubt, but if you're constantly second-guessing yourself, even the smallest parenting decision can feel crippling. You may worry that you're failing your child. You might also struggle to trust your gut instinct or ask for support when you need it.

If you feel insecure about your parenting, or you're struggling to know if you're doing things right, therapy may help you with:

• practicing self-compassion during challenging moments

• identifying and modeling healthy behaviors for your children to witness

• looking after both your emotional and physical health as a form of self-care

• challenging limiting beliefs or negative self-talk impacting your emotional wellness

• unpacking your own experiences with your parents or early childhood experiences

FAQ

What Kinds of Issues Can Parenting Counseling Help Me With?

In my practice, I support parents experiencing postpartum difficulties, relationship problems, complicated family issues, and other emotional concerns. I also specialize in helping parents better connect with children experiencing health problems or behavioral issues.

What If Past Traumas Are Affecting My Ability to Parent?

Many parents find themselves struggling with parenting if they're holding unresolved trauma wounds. For example, you might find yourself feeling particularly triggered by certain emotions or behaviors. You may find it difficult to regulate your own feelings, and you may also notice how patterns from your own upbringing influence how you parent, even if those patterns no longer align with your current values.

Therapy is helpful for parents processing past traumas, breaking generational cycles, and building a deeper sense of emotional regulation. When you heal from your past, you improve your own well-being, and you foster a healthier environment for your children.

What If I'm Struggling With My Identity As a Parent?

This is so common, and it's especially prevalent among new parents or parents navigating a significant life change. Therapy can help you explore your sense of self, particularly if you feel overwhelmed or disconnected from who you are outside of your role as a parent.

In therapy, we'll collaborate to identify your passions, values, and needs, helping you better integrate your parenting identity with your personal identity.

How Can Mental Health Counseling Help Me With Co-Parenting Concerns?

Parents may have different philosophies regarding their children's development and needs. Sometimes these disagreements can be handled gracefully. Other times, however, it may feel like you and your partner are constantly fighting about the right thing to do.

Individual therapy is about exploring your specific parenting values and needs. We'll also talk about some ways you can discuss your concerns directly with your partner.

How Do You Treat Parental Burnout?

Many parents feel they're either close to burnout or they're already there. If this is you, you may be feeling resentful, tired, angry, or numb. The good news is that burnout is treatable, and even the most overwhelmed parents can find relief.

Parenting is undoubtedly tiring, but therapy offers guidance for managing stress, practicing self-care, and looking after your own needs in addition to your children's needs. While there's no perfect balance, the goal here is to feel more empowered and emotionally regulated.

My Child Is Struggling With a Mental Health Condition. Can You Help?

Yes, in addition to providing parenting therapy services, I also have a specialty in working with teenagers and emerging adults. If you're concerned about your child's mental health issues, destructive behavior, or social skills, please reach out.

Should I Seek Family Therapy or Individual Therapy for Parenting Stress?

Individual therapy is beneficial if you need a private space to explore your emotions and experiences related to parenting. If you have mental health concerns- or you're navigating complex difficulties related to your children- you will gain more insight and value from having your own individual counseling.

Family therapy (or parent-child therapy) may be appropriate if there's persistent parent-child conflict or if your child's behavior is causing stress on the entire family structure. Some family therapists work with the whole family, whereas others might work with just certain members. Divorced parents may also benefit from a parenting counselor who helps with co-parenting strategies.

If you're unsure which approach is best for you, we can discuss various options, and I'll provide my guidance on which might be best for you and your family.

What Happens When You're Counseling Parents?

The structure of therapy largely depends on you, your goals, and our collaborative treatment plan. Typically, however, we'll spend our sessions focused on processing your emotions and current struggles. Treatment may also consist of me offering practical guidance specifically tailored to your family dynamic.

My goal is to provide parents with support, skills, and compassion as they navigate their parenting journey. I value building a supportive therapeutic relationship where your feelings are validated and witnessed.

Talk Therapy for Parenting Concerns in New York and Connecticut

Parenting can come with the 'highest' highs and the 'lowest' lows. But if things feel particularly challenging right now, reaching out for professional support can help you feel more empowered and confident about how you raise your children.

I treat parents in New York and Connecticut. I recognize how busy and hectic your schedule may be, and I offer convenient, online services.