Working with Parents in Child Psychotherapy

Grounded in decades of clinical experience, this empathic, practical book presents a research-informed framework for delivering parent guidance as a stand-alone intervention or adjunct to child therapy. Elisa Bronfman and Johanna D. Sagarin delineate flexible coaching strategies to enhance family relationships and parenting skills and find new solutions to struggles around discipline, homework, bedtime, meals, screen time, and other daily routines. The approach can be tailored for parents dealing with any child mental health concern or behavioral challenge. Assessment, treatment planning, clinical decision making, and progress monitoring are all discussed in step-by-step detail. Packed with illustrative case material, the book features 34 reproducible clinical tools that can be photocopied or downloaded.

"This book will become an instant classic. Parent guidance is critical to effective change in child psychotherapy, but there have been few resources for clinicians on how to approach the multiple challenges embedded in such work. This book is filled with clinical wisdom and imbued with deep respect for parents. While keeping the therapist–parent relationship at the forefront, the authors have also packed the volume with practical, clear guidelines for identifying and building parent–child relationship skills. Only thoughtful, compassionate, and experienced therapists like Bronfman and Sagarin could have written this book."--Karlen Lyons-Ruth, PhD, Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School

"This book will quickly become your most beloved, valued child therapy resource--dog-eared and coffee stained--because you will come back to it for tips and advice again and again! Working with Parents in Child Psychotherapy not only equips therapists with essential techniques, but also provides a deeper understanding of the transformative impact that effective parenting can have on children&&&39;s lives. The chapters are well structured, with case examples, worksheets, and reflective prompts that enhance the content and keep readers actively engaged. This is an absolute gem of a book that I will wholeheartedly recommend to all my colleagues and trainees for years to come."--Rachael Coakley, PhD, Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School; Director, Clinical Innovation and Outreach in Pain Medicine, Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, Boston Children&&&39;s Hospital

"This is exactly the kind of book I longed to read as I trained to become a child clinical psychotherapist, and the kind of book I would draw on and use in my classes. Written by two wise and remarkable clinicians with years of experience in clinical work, teaching, and research, as well as parenting experience, this is a powerful, rich book that helps us to better understand how to work with parents in child psychotherapy."--Teresa Ostler, PhD, School of Social Work (Emerita), University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign

"This is the most comprehensive and accessible book for professionals working with parents that I have read in years. Bronfman and Sagarin tackle a pressing clinical challenge facing psychotherapists today--empowering parents to raise emotionally strong and healthy children in a time of escalating mental health problems. In this wonderful book, nothing is overlooked and everything is anticipated. The authors show how to help parents not only to understand the whole child and become agents of change to improve behavior, but also to take better care of themselves. I found myself immediately beginning to integrate the ideas in this book into my work with clients."--Anthony Rao, PhD, private practice, Boston-

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