Discipline with Love: How Counseling Helps

Are you having trouble staying firm with your child? Feeling disconnected with them? Giving in all the time out of guilt or fear of losing them?
Many parents come into therapy feeling defeated, helpless, and not sure where to start. They want to take back control, know they are losing it, yet do not know where to start.
The good news is you are not alone, and you don’t have to do it alone.
Counseling and/or a behavioral consultation can provide an individualized, hands on, relational approach for you and your child. After working with children and families in the home, school, residential, community and office setting, I have combined screening and discipline strategies that have proven to provide the best outcomes. This includes identifying specific changes to be made in the family dynamics, establish clear behavioral expectations while learning how to be more connected to your child. Here are a few of the key areas that are typically reviewed.
1. TRACK IT
You will most likely be asked to track the behavior you desire to change. This can be done using an ABC chart, otherwise known as Antecedent, Behavior and Consequence. You will be guided in looking for patterns in how the environment is triggering or motivating your child’s behavior. This tool is to help the parent look at their own behaviors along with increasing awareness in what helps keep the behavior alive. Everyone is accountable in the process of making changes.
2. FUNCTION
Every behavior serves a function for the child. This behavior continues to exist because it serves a purpose and a way for the child to communicate a need. In session, you will be assisted in accurately defining what the problem behavior looks like. The need or motive for this behavior is broken down into 4 categories: tangible, sensory, escape, or avoid. Essentially, the child needs to relearn how to communicate the need.
3. CONNECT
Every parent ultimately wants to connect with their child, and through counseling they can learn how to take back the control, learn how to reinforce positive behaviors and keep things relational. Parents are supported in looking at their own upbringing and belief systems about discipline and how they contribute to the dynamics. If you are serious about making changes you will be guided through looking at how and what you need to adjust.

Through my years of experience observing challenging behaviors, developing individualized behavioral plans, and working with parents and children I am confident we can design a plan that works for you and your family. Do not hesitate any longer to reach out to Tara Kryman at Minds @ Peace Therapy to discuss what your next steps should be and explore your options.