Parenting Support Groups in District of Columbia

Therapists may work with parents individually, together, or include the whole family to find solutions for the problems a parent faces. Many parent-based therapies work on a parent’s relationship with their children, problem-solving within the family, and analysis of family dynamics. Therapy conducted remotely by video may be helpful in allowing a therapist to observe how families interact in their own homes.

When behavioral problems begin to disrupt the healthy functioning of a family, it may be a good time to look into therapy. If parents find that children are acting out in school, have started using drugs or alcohol, have developed eating disorders, or other similar red flags, a therapist may be able to help.

Depending on the severity of a family’s challenges and the type of treatment utilized, therapy for parenting can last from weeks to months. Cognitive behavioral therapy is a pragmatic therapy type that can be brief, most often ranging from between 5 and 20 sessions. Structural family therapy, which inspects family dynamics, often takes several months. Parent-child interaction therapy is typically shorter-term, lasting between 10 and 20 sessions. For any therapy, the duration will depend on the progress made and results realized.

Parenting is difficult. Parents may dismiss or conceal feelings of exhaustion, overwhelm, or escape ideation—imagining withdrawing from their parental obligations altogether. but left unattended, these feelings can have negative effects on the whole family. A therapist can help parents work on the skills they might need to better cope with the burdens of parenting and help them be the best parents they can be.