Topic - Parents and Therapy. In my practice, I’ve had kids who’ve been through several therapists and have yet to cooperate with a single one.
They feel their parents send them to shrinks to find out “stuff I won’t tell them”.
What should parents do? I recommend that they go to therapy themselves.
My motto is to “take the field with whomever shows up”. If the kid won’t go, Mom and Dad should go to learn ways to reduce conflicts, understand the reasons behind the behavior and improve daily quality of life.
Many parents take their kid’s behavior personally. Their child’s depression becomes theirs. They question themselves and feel guilty.
If a therapist can move them away from that position to a position of action and problem-solving, tension will be reduced and parents will feel empowered.
Parents won’t feel victimized by this “thing” that has stolen their lives. The family can become healthier if knowledge and proactive problem-solving become the name of the game.
You’ve got nothing to lose.
