PARENTING SUPPORT & COACHING
Why Don't I Have Any Patience For My Kids?
Do you feel like a failure as a parent? Do you ask yourself things like... what did I do wrong? Am I messing up my kid? Why won't they listen to me?!? Or even... Will they be talking about me in therapy when they are adults?
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There is no "one size fits all" way to raise a child. We live in a society where we are constantly feeling judged by other parents and we can often worry about how the behavior of our children reflects on us.
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With each generation, ideas on parenting changes. It can be easy to be both stuck in old models of parenting while wanting to integrate new strategies and not knowing what is best. You can read all of the books and try all of the techniques and still nothing seems to be making a difference. With an outside perspective and hands-on support strategies, effective change that suits your child and your family is possible. ​​
Work as a Team
Parents can often have different ideas and ideals about how to raise children. This often leads to conflict within a couple, which then can trickle down to a child's behavior. It's important for parents to have uninterrupted time and space in a controlled, neutral environment to determine how best to collaborate with each other and set manageable expectations for the household.
If children are diagnosed with ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorders, learning differences, pathological demand avoidance (PDA) or executive functioning disorders, this can put intense strain on life at home and leave parents feeling lost and overwhelmed.
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By working with a trained therapist, parents can learn effective communication skills, gain insight into their child's behavior, and develop strategies for managing challenging situations. Coaching can also help parents build stronger relationships with their children and create a positive and harmonious home environment. Whether you're dealing with a specific concern or simply looking to seek support and guidance, parent coaching can provide the tools and support you need to succeed.
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If you're feeling isolated and looking for community support, we offer multiple groups for parents who want to connect and share with others.
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You're doing better than you think. We promise. Parents we work with appreciate how they feel more self-assured, relaxed, increased sense confidence in themselves and their children, and they see tangible change at home. We work with many families to help parents in supporting children diagnosed with special needs to help them better understand their children's specific triggers, desires, and motivations in an effort to improve interactions at home.
Blog Posts About Parenting
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S.P.A.C.E. Treatment
Our Licensed Clinicians offer S.P.A.C.E. treatment (Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions). https://www.spacetreatment.net/​
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This treatment teaches parents skills and tools to help their child overcome symptoms of anxiety, OCD, panic disorder, fears and phobias, or related problems. The focus is on changes that parents can make to their own behavior, rather than making their child change. The two changes that parents learn to make in SPACE treatment are to respond more supportively to their anxious child and to reduce the accommodations they have been making to the child's symptoms.
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Parents who implement the S.P.A.C.E. short term model find that their child's anxiety symptoms diminish and tension in the home decreases. ​​​
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Can't We Just Watch TikToks?
While the internet is a wealth of information and knowledge, TikTok videos and reels speak to general parenting concerns and not the specific needs of your family in your specific circumstance. With a trained psychotherapist, parents can practice skills at home and then process in sessions which were the most effective and build on those. Our clinicians pull from their training, experience, and knowledge to work to determine tailor techniques to your the specific needs of your child.
Failure To Launch...
Is your adult child reliant on you? Did you let them move in temporarily but months or years later, they still struggle to move on and launch into adulthood? Do you vacillate between feelings of guilt, shame, frustration, anger and hopelessness about your adult child's future?
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Our Therapists can be a valuable resource for families experiencing "failure to launch" with their young adult children. This term refers to the difficulty some young adults have in transitioning to independent living and achieving their goals. Through therapy and parent coaching, families can work together to identify the underlying issues contributing to this challenge and develop strategies to support their child's growth and create momentum. We work with parents to help their young adult children gain the skills and confidence they need to successfully transition into adulthood and begin to thrive.
Featured Parenting Support Psychotherapists
Kimberley Brams, LCSW-C
Senior Clinician
Cecilia Hernandez, LCSW-C
Associate Clinician
Emily Pitocchelli, LCPC
Senior Clinician
Marjorie Theard, LCSW-C
Senior Clinician
Parent Coaching FAQs
What is parent coaching?
Parent coaching gives caregivers practical guidance for responding to anxiety, avoidance, emotional outbursts, school difficulties, family conflict, and other challenging patterns. Sessions focus on what parents can do differently at home to support their child while creating calmer, more consistent interactions.
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Does my child participate in parent coaching?
Usually, parent coaching sessions are held with the parent or caregivers rather than the child. This allows you to speak openly, examine patterns at home, and practice new responses without placing the responsibility for change entirely on your child.
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What concerns can parent coaching address?
Parent coaching may be helpful when your child or teen is experiencing anxiety, school refusal, avoidance, intense emotions, ADHD-related challenges, difficulty with routines, social concerns, or increasing dependence on reassurance. It can also help when parents feel stuck, inconsistent, or unsure how to respond.
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How is parent coaching different from family therapy?
Parent coaching focuses primarily on strengthening the caregivers’ skills and responses. Family therapy involves multiple family members and explores relationship patterns, communication, and concerns affecting the family as a whole. We can help you determine which service is the better starting point.
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What is SPACE parent coaching?
SPACE stands for Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions. It is an evidence-based approach that helps parents respond supportively to a child’s anxiety while gradually reducing accommodations that may unintentionally reinforce avoidance or dependence.
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Do both parents need to attend?
No. Parent coaching can still be useful when only one parent or caregiver participates. When possible, having caregivers work toward consistent responses can make it easier to apply the strategies at home.
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Can parent coaching help if my child refuses therapy?
Yes. Parent coaching can be an effective starting point when a child or teen is unwilling to attend therapy. Parents can begin changing family patterns and learning new ways to respond even without the child participating directly.
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How many sessions will we need?
The number of sessions depends on your family’s concerns and goals. Some parents need a few focused consultations, while others benefit from ongoing support as they practice strategies and respond to changing circumstances.
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Is parent coaching available virtually?
Yes. PRN Counseling offers virtual parent coaching for families located in throughout the United States, as well as in-person appointments in North Bethesda when available.
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Does PRN Counseling accept insurance?
PRN Counseling is an out-of-network practice. Payment is due at the time of service, and we can provide documentation that you may submit to your insurance company for possible out-of-network reimbursement. Coverage is determined by your individual plan.