Areas of Specialization - Children and Adolescents
Parenting
Parenting is a complex role that
includes many specific behaviors
that work individually and together
to influence child and adolescent
development. When a child or adolescent
experiences emotional or behavioral
problems, they frequently disrupt
family life and cause distress to
those in the home. Parents frequently
have contrasting parenting styles
and disagree on methods of discipline
given their unique childhood experiences.
However it is extremely important
that parents clearly communicate
and collaboratively establish rules,
limits and consequences that are
appropriate to their child's age
and are practical to enforce. This
is particularly important when a
child or adolescent is experiencing
significant stress or an unexpected
change or transition such as divorce,
chronic illness, or moving and changing
schools. Parents often need help
discussing and coping with these
issues in order to ease their child's
adjustment to the stress. Thus it
is important to be sensitive to
any additional factors that may
negatively affect a child or adolescent's
behavior and emotional functioning.
Parent skills training refers to
techniques parents can learn to
motivate their child or adolescent
to modify and improve their behavior.
Child and adolescent behavior management
strategies include implementing
clear and consistent expectations
and consequences, developing reward
systems to reinforce positive behavior,
creating structure through maintaining
routines and schedules, training
in giving effective commands rather
than negotiating with a young child,
and learning proactive problem-solving
strategies. Overall parents learn
strategies to enhance their child
or adolescent's behavior while creating
a more harmonious family life. Cognitive
behavioral therapy can additionally
teach the child or adolescent more
effective problem solving and communication
techniques, methods to increase
their frustration tolerance, and
anger management skills.
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