Many parents have challenges with their children’s behavior. It is normal to feel frustrated with your children at times and not know what to do.
Handling every situation correctly is impossible and, let’s face it, angry and frustrated children can be very difficult to handle. Parents often become angry and frustrated themselves, allowing for patterns of negative interaction to take place. We fall back on what we know and what we learned from our parents, which is not always the most effective methods. Children live in a different world today and some of the daily challenges can seem insurmountable. Are you out of ideas and unsure of what to do?
At HopeSparks, we use the most innovative ways to treat behavioral problems and offer parents options. Our evidence-based programs and treatments are proven to work and get results! Our goal is to help create a positive relationship between parents and children, make a life long impact and create lasting change!
You can get the skills you need to handle your children’s behavior and feel confident, calm and connected to your children.
What are my options?
Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT)
Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) is a treatment for families that focuses on reducing childhood behavioral problems, improving positive parenting and changing the parent-child relationship for life.
PCIT helps parents implement structure and teaches positive parenting using a concrete, skill-based approach while providing both parents and children with positive ways to relate to one another. In each session, the parent wears a small ear-piece and plays with their child as a PCIT therapist provides coaching from the other side of a one way mirror using a microphone. The therapist helps the parent practice and master new skills and the parent-child relationship is effectively strengthened through positive praise.
PCIT is for parents of children 2-7 years old and works for attachment issues, foster or adoption, ADHD and other oppositional behavior. This program is also a best practice to reduce the risk of abuse and neglect.
Individual Counseling
You can meet one-on-one with a trained counselor to meet your needs. Most of our counselors work with children and families and have a vast experience with behavioral issues and challenges. Our counselors are trained to use evidence-based treatments for handling behavior issues. Click to learn more about these approaches for helping your child.
Parent Education
We offer several parenting programs and groups to help you gain positive skills. Learn more about these options.
What if I am unsure of how to help my child?
If you are unsure of how to help your child, call us! We would be glad to assist you in brainstorming options for you and your family. Children and teens exhibit behavioral challenges for a variety of reasons. These can be in reaction to a certain situation or change, grief and loss, divorce, attention-seeking or another organic disorder such as ADHD.
What if my child is very young?
HopeSparks is equipped to work with children who are very young and offer Play and Art Therapy options for our youngest children. Children can tell us a lot through their play and art work. We are prepared to give children the safe place they need to explore what is going on inside them and then express themselves in a safe and therapeutic way.
To make an appointment, please call our Tacoma office at 253-565-4484 and speak with our Intake Specialists.
