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Parenting is one of the hardest jobs out there – and it gets exponentially harder when a child or teen is navigating big feelings, challenges at home or school, or a mental health diagnosis. Individual therapy can be an extremely helpful resource for kids and teens who may be struggling. To support this work, or in cases where individual therapy for a student may not be an option, Parent Guidance is a way for caregivers to receive personalized psychoeducation and learn practical strategies about how to best support their child.

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This article explains a bit more about Parent Guidance at Cartwheel and how it can be an incredibly effective resource for parents and caregivers in supporting their child’s emotional wellness and mental health.

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What is Parent Guidance and how can it be helpful for caregivers and students?

When a student is experiencing mental health challenges, academic or social difficulties at school, or exhibiting certain behaviors at home, it can lead to a lot of stress at home. Sometimes, a parent or caregiver might feel unsure of how best to support their child, or they might feel overwhelmed, stressed, and alone. 

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Parent Guidance sessions can help caregivers feel supported. By connecting with a licensed clinician to discuss their child’s needs, caregivers can feel empowered with skills, tools, and resources to further their child’s success. When the adults in a child’s life feel supported, the trickle-down effects can have positive impacts on the student and family, as well. 

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What can a caregiver expect from Parent Guidance and what are some of the topics that might be discussed? 

Caregivers usually meet with their Parent Guidance clinician for 30-minute sessions, which generally occur weekly or every other week. Caregivers bring their concerns, challenges, or questions to their clinician, who will provide a supportive environment. Together, the caregiver and clinician can discuss how best to support the child and help them excel. 

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Some examples of topics that might be discussed in Parent Guidance include:

• Difficult behaviors that a child is exhibiting at home and/or in school
• Struggles with routines and/or structure
• Difficulties with communication
• Strained parent-child relationships
• Learning new ways to view and understand moods/behaviors
• Parenting techniques and responses to support your child

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What is Parent Guidance NOT?

Parent Guidance is not Individual Therapy for the caregiver. Sessions are focused on the needs of the child and what caregivers can do to address parenting concerns and better understand, connect with, and support their child

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Can a student do individual therapy AND a caregiver do Parent Guidance? How does that work?

Yes! Caregivers can be referred for Parent Guidance at any time in the treatment process and can either work with the same clinician as their child or work with someone separately to maintain strong rapport between the child and their clinician. 

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What if my child is not in Individual Therapy? Can caregivers still receive and benefit from Parent Guidance?

If uncertain and/or struggling with how to support their child who is going through a challenging time, parents and caregivers may want to consider Parent Guidance. Some caregivers may also recognize that the tools they have and know are not working for their child, or that they don’t have a full understanding of their children’s mental health needs and would like to learn more from collaborative work with a clinician. 

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Parent Guidance can also be offered by Cartwheel if a child is already seeing an outpatient provider outside of Cartwheel, or if a child is in grades K-2. 

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Want to learn more? 

Parenting is hard, especially when your child is experiencing mental health challenges at home or at school. While you may sometimes go to friends or family for advice, it can be extremely helpful to have a clinician trained in child development and mental health provide specialized support to you so that you feel equipped with the skills and resources necessary to help your child thrive in and out of the classroom. 

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If you live in a school district that partners with Cartwheel and are interested in Parent Guidance sessions, reach out to your counseling team, who can discuss your needs and a potential referral to Cartwheel. If you’re interested in learning more about bringing Cartwheel to your school district, fill out this form here. 

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DISCLAIMER:

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The information, including but not limited to, text, graphics, images and other material contained on this website are for informational purposes only. No material on this site is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.

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If you or your child are in crisis or experiencing mental health problems please seek the advice of a licensed clinician or call 988.

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