Strengthening the relationship between parent/s and child/ren can foster:
- a sense of confidence - cooperative behaviors - effective communication - positive interactions - feelings of security - attachment / bonding - a more stabilized mood - emotional intelligence - healthy future relationships
Parent-child therapy is beneficial in assisting families who have experienced a trauma or difficult life transition such as the absence, addiction or death of a parent. Parent-child therapy focuses on both the parent and the child, as well as the relational interactions that can promote bonding, attachment, cooperation, self-esteem and wellbeing.
The foundations built between a child and primary caregiver can set the trajectory for future adult mental health and relationships and overall emotional wellbeing. Safe, supportive, nurturing relationships early in life have been found to act as a buffer against current and future life stressors.
There are a variety of techniques that can be used when helping families work toward great health and functioning. Here are a of couple examples:
With CPC-CBT, parents learn positive parenting, effective communication, caring attachment, and behavior modification, among other skills. Parents and their children engage in some sessions together and the family is empowered toward greater emotional health and wellbeing.
Child- Parent Psychotherapy (CPP) Child-Parent Psychotherapy (CPP) assists caregivers (parents, foster parents or guardians) in recognizing and meeting the needs of self and child, and to successfully create a safe, healthy attachment.
This type of therapy is useful after the loss of another primary caregiver or any type of difficult transition that may cause anxiety or upset within the child or family unit, and may be combined with other approaches to facilitate healing and well-being.