Richmond Child and Parent Counseling.
Richmond Child and Parent Counseling, PLLC was created and designed to help kids and their grown-ups forge paths together to create healthier, happier homes.
I provide individual and parent counseling to children and caregivers with a focus on repairing ruptures in the family system through nervous system based interventions so that family members can become more regulated and connected to one other.
Being a parent is a tough job and nobody gives us a handbook!
So much can happen that leaves us feeling frustrated, ashamed and overwhelmed, turning our households into emotional battlefields.
Do any of these challenges sound familiar?
Parenting overwhelm is leaving you feeling constantly stressed, irritable or perpetually in a bad mood. You feel guilty for not being the parent you dreamed you’d be but you can’t get there, and you’re worried what it’s going to do to your kids and your relationship.
You are getting calls or discipline consequences from your child’s school due to their behaviors and home is just as hard. Maybe they already have a diagnosis and you have been given alphabet combos like Aud/ADHD, SPD, ODD or PDA. You know their emotional regulation is off – you see it every day but what are you supposed to do about it? Your child excels in some areas but is struggling in others. Your gut tells you they need something different though no one seems to be able to figure out what. You want to advocate for them but nothing you do is working.
Your child is highly sensitive, has sensory sensitivities and/or is anxious – avoids the unknown and worries about new things, being alone, others’ perceptions, etc. that results in school refusal, sleep issues, meltdowns or anxiety attacks and you have no idea what to do to help break the anxious spin and help them calm.
Your child is great at school and with other adults but extremely challenging at home with you: meltdowns, refusing to listen, combative, pushing limits, etc. You’ve tried kindness, you’ve tried yelling, you’ve tried rewarding, you’ve tried punishing but nothing seems to be working and you’re turning into a parent you don’t want to be!
You are going through a loss (divorce, tragedy, grief, etc.) or are contemplating the need to make a huge change and are struggling to hold it all together and parent, constantly feeling worried about how this will affect your kids but aren’t sure what to do about it.
You say to yourself… “Everyone else seems to be able to handle this parenting gig, so why does it feel hard for me?”
You don't have to exist in the overwhelm!
There’s no perfect, one size fits all answer (and no magic wand) but your goals are achievable!
Behavior modification (charts, plans. etc.) can produce some short-term success (or have the opposite effect for some kids) and tend not to work long term. They can also foster an unhealthy focus on outcome instead of on process and connection.
Instead, we have to focus on emotional regulation and skill building as parents and children.
When we know better we do better.
Let’s create a plan together to create less hurt and more connection and calm within yourself and with your kids.
