Worrying about your child or teen? Read On...
Since you found this site, I am betting certain questions are waking you up at night--or keeping you from sleeping in the first place.
"Her worries and fears are keeping her from living her life and having fun. It's getting worse, not better. I'm frustrated, but she seems genuinely distressed. What am I going to do?"
"My teen seems so unhappy. I've been trying to talk to her, but she's so irritable! I think she might be depressed. How can I get through?"
"My child is starting to hate school. He's not getting his work done--or he doesn't turn it in. He's acting out, and kids are starting to avoid him. How much do I let the school handle it? What can I do at home?"
You're wondering whether your child is depressed. Or maybe he has ADHD. Is anxiety at the bottom of her avoiding these social situations? As you ponder these questions, maybe you hear that voice in the back of your head asking, "If my child has a 'disorder' is it my fault? Am I a bad parent?"
You are a loving parent!
Parents make mistakes! I feel confident there has never existed a perfect parent. We error. We learn. We do better next time. Such is the life of a parent.
The fact that you are searching for help and support from a child psychologist is evidence of the abundant love you feel towards your child. Sure, there are times when you don't like your child's behavior or attitude. There have been times when you have felt outraged by your teen's backtalk. Yes, you have lost your temper–more than once! You wince, thinking about how you handled one situation or another, wishing for a do-over.
But at the end of the day, despite the fear, anger, guilt, and conflict, you love your child. Your love fuels your determination–and your determination has lead you here.
Relief is within your reach...
As a child psychologist,I have worked with many parents and children who have experienced similar types of problems. Together, you and I will address the specific needs of your child and your family. Goals may include:
- Restore your teen's emotional well-being, so that she is happy, confident, and at ease with herself
- Build your child's compliance, tolerance of frustration, and coping skills, so that he listens to authority and persists when completing challenging tasks
- Teach your child the necessary social skills that will help her to make friends and sustain meaningful relationships
- Relieve parent stress and anxiety, so you feel more relaxed as you parent with confidence
- Stimulate effective communication among family members to enhance relationships
- Enrich the parent-child or parent-teen relationship
Call 612.719.5422 to schedule your complimentary
"What are we going to do next?" Strategy Session
with Child Psychologist, Dr. Gretchen Lewis-Snyder
I would like to hear more about your specific situation and concerns. Together we can identify what's happening, what's interfering with your child's success, and what approach may be most helpful. Once you have an opportunity to meet me, talk with me, and see how I work with your family, you can determine whether I am a fit for your family. If the fit seems right, we will talk more about the treatment process.
