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Confident Parenting Mother enjoying Child led play

Confident Parenting

Helping you navigate the complexities of parenting

Are you feeling overwhelmed by conflicting advice on how to support your children? Perhaps your family has experienced an unexpected or traumatic event. Sometimes ordinary developmental issues like emotional regulation, establishing sleeping patterns, and eating well can be challenging. Parenting isn’t easy and we all need support to navigate its complexities.

Talk to one of our qualified child and adolescent therapists to find the right approach for your family. We can help you regain confidence in your parenting choices so you can move forward yourself.

Our 1:1 parent counselling consultations enable you to explore your specific concerns at a place and time that suits you without long waiting lists or long-term commitments associated with many therapy referrals or coaching programmes.

Our team are highly qualified and fully vetted therapists working with schools and families. They are equipped to give practical, evidence-informed advice as well as provide emotional support and a space to reflect on the unique challenges of parenting.

Take the first step and work out what support you and your family might need in the future. Sometimes one therapeutic conversation can be enough to renew your confidence and equip you with fresh ideas to move forward. Get in touch to learn more, or Book Today.

Parenting Topics

Our team will focus on whatever aspect of parenting is important to you at this moment in time. The following six categories give a broad overview of the areas in which parents often come to us for guidance from professional therapists. But do not hesitate to book in a session for a concern that does not fall into these categories.

Early Years

Are you exhausted by broken sleep and early risers? Does your toddler struggle to play with other children? Maybe you wish your children would get along with each other better.

In the early years from babies through to pre-school, parents often struggle with emotional and behavioural issues that typify development at each stage. These include; establishing sleeping patterns, healthy eating, coping with tantrums, sibling rivalry, setting and holding boundaries and playing and sharing with friends. Parents may want to set up their parenting style and relationships for the future and can feel overwhelmed at the amount of parenting advice available. Our therapists can offer practical, tailored advice and a contained space to reflect during this challenging time.

Neurodiversity

Are you finding it hard to support your neurodiverse child? Is your child about to be assessed for Autism or ADHD? Or maybe you are wondering how to talk to about a diagnosis?

Society is going through a positive sea-change in terms of the way neurodivergent individuals are perceived and supported at school and beyond.  However, there is still widespread misunderstanding about the various conditions this term includes (Autism and ADHD being the most common) and in some cases harmful prejudices leave parents anxious about starting an assessment or receiving a diagnosis. Our therapists can help you work out how to support the emotional needs of your child/ren as they learn to celebrate their uniqueness.

Divorce & Separation

Are you worried how your relationship breakdown will impact your child/ren? Are you thinking about the best age-appropriate way to tell your child/ren about your divorce? 

Whilst like any other major childhood experience, divorce will have an impact, outcomes are not always negative and a healthy attachment to both parents can be maintained.  It’s an emotionally charged time for everyone involved so it can feel almost impossible to protect your children completely. Our therapists will help you find ways to support the emotional needs of your child/ren at a time when you are coping with so much yourself. We can discuss ways to prepare them for change whether that be new homes or blended families so they know they remain at the centre of your lives.

Loss & Bereavement

Are you preparing your child for the loss of a loved one due to illness? Have you experienced an unexpected or traumatic death in the family and you don’t know how and what to tell your child/ren?

When a child experiences the death of someone close it is likely to be devastating. According to UK child bereavement charity, Grief Encounter, 1 in 29 children suffer the death of a parent before they are 16. What makes it even harder is the adult supporting the child is grieving themselves. It’s important to remember that, most children and young people are resilient and can recover from major life events with the right emotional support at the right time. Our team can provide a safe space to reflect on the emotional needs of your child/ren and help you find the words and the ways to support them through their grief.

Emotional Regulation

Are you struggling to manage your children’s intense emotions or finding it hard to keep calm yourself?   It’s normal for children and young people to be overwhelmed by emotions regularly and they need our help. 

Babies are born with 200 billion brain cells but few connections so it’s impossible for them to self- regulate. What’s less well known is that children’s brain pathways are still being pruned and strengthened well into adolescence, so our emotional support is vital. It’s easy to say in practice but when you are in the firing line it isn’t always easy to be the safe container your child needs. For a start, it requires feeling emotionally resourced yourself.  Our therapists can help with emotional regulation and provide a space to reflect on your own triggers suggesting strategies to move forward.

Sexuality & Gender

Is your teenager exploring their sexuality or gender identity? Are you struggling to communicate with them about the subject and uncertain about how to support them during this time?  Or perhaps you and your partner have different approaches.

Adolescence is a challenging time to be a parent as young people are usually forming their identities in relation to peer groups rather than the family unit but still need parental guidance and emotional support through what can be a time of high emotions and insecurities. Taking the time to reflect on your emotional response to your teenager and planning new ways to respond to their needs, can make all the difference, bringing your family together again. Our therapists can help you work out how to support the needs of your child/ren as they navigate their way into adulthood.

“When little people are overwhelmed by big emotions, it’s our job to share our calm, not join their chaos.”

L.R. Knost 

Supporting your Confident Parenting Journey

Step 1

Book

Booking an appointment is easy. Simply follow the booking portal instructions. If you’re unsure which therapist is best for you, either select ‘any therapist’ or contact us for advice: get in touch. Book your appointment.

Step 2

Questionnaire

To help our therapists understand your needs and focus your session, there is a very short questionnaire to complete during the booking process. Our therapists have distinct specialisms so we can suggest a change in therapist if we feel one is better suited to your needs.

Step 3

Appointment

Your appointment will be 45 minutes and take place online via Zoom. Your therapist shares the link after booking, prior to your session. You’ll also receive an email summary. We recommend a follow up session or a series of sessions when needed, but it’s your choice.

Find the Right Parenting Approach for you

FAQs

What is Confident Parenting? 

Confident Parenting enables you to feel back in control of your parenting choices. We give you options based on the reality of your family at this time, rather than advocating for one approach. All of our consultants are vetted and extremely experienced child/adolescent or family therapists so you know you are in safe hands. Our vision is of accessible, professional and empowering parent support. A space to reflect and to come away with new strategies during challenging times. We believe the right conversation at the right time can empower parents to move forwards themselves.

How much will the session cost?

Sessions cost £80 per single session (45mins) + follow up email summary.

Who are Confident Parenting sessions for? 

Sessions are suited to parents and carers of all ages. In the early years especially, parents often struggle with emotional and behavioural issues that typify development at this stage including emotional regulation, sibling rivalry, eating, sleep, boundaries and peer relationships.

At primary and secondary age, parents may be seeking advice about many of the areas outlined above as well as issues often seen at this stage, including work stress and anxiety, growth mindset, confidence and body issues, gender, sexuality and identity. 

Where do the sessions take place? 

The Confident Parenting sessions take place online via Zoom. You will receive a link prior to the selected date and time. 

Who should attend sessions?

Sessions are for parents and primary carers. Where there are two parent families we recommend that both parents attend sessions if possible. This is so that the presenting issue can be discussed from the perspectives of all carers involved. A whole-family approach can be explored and developed. 

How many sessions can I have?

We recommend two sessions – a single session consultation with a follow up session. You can always book in another session when you choose. The single session/follow up model ensures you make the most of the one session but return to discuss your issue and develop your thinking after you have put new ideas into practice.

What’s involved in the pre-session questionnaire?
  1. What is your main concern (NB how old is your child and how long have you been concerned)?
  2. What have you already tried that has/hasn’t helped?
  3. What would you like to get out of the session?
Where do I find the pre-session questionnaire?

This questionnaire will be generated online when booking.

What should I do in advance?

Please complete the questions on the pre-session questionnaire generated online when you book.

We also recommend that you consider these additional questions in preparation for your session.

  1. How is the problem affecting A. your child B. you C. other people in you/your child’s life?
  2. What do you think we need to know about the situation in order to be able to help?
  3. For the therapist to be most helpful, is there anything you feel is important to know about your culture, ethnicity, religion, language, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, mental or physical health or any other factor?

Testimonials

The Counselling provision at our school is now excellent. This is due to Chloe’s understanding of the needs of pupils, parents and the school as an organization. I would whole-heartedly recommend ‘Child in Time’ to head-teachers considering their own counselling provision.

Head-teacher of Woolmore School, Tower Hamlets

Parent Consultation: They have become much better at expressing their feelings and opening up to me and their siblings.

Parent, 2023

School Counselling: My son has completely turned around and is simply wonderful at the moment. He is back to his normal self at home, being very happy, caring and kind. He is especial kind and caring with his sister and just the best brother ever now. As a family, we are happy and content.

Parent, 2023

It is quality time well spent not letting pupils leave with negative patterns that make them vulnerable beyond school. One of the best decisions I have made.

Head-teacher of St Saviour’s School, Tower Hamlets

You have helped me build a barrier of protection against pain and I can’t thank you enough for that…I have never felt so emotionally strong.

Student, aged 15

Child in Time is a tremendous resource for head-teachers. It’s a consultancy that offers a short-cut to setting up a counselling service in your school with highly trained, qualified practitioners. Child in Time brings peace of mind to staff, knowing that the most vulnerable students are in safe hands.

Tereza Nogueira, Child and Adolescent Psychotherapist and Senior supervisor UKCP

This intervention has had an enormous, positive impact for us all and we sincerely hope that other families benefit from the same programme…his positive behaviour is having a really good impact on all elements of his school life.

Parent of child, age 8

I am glad I am coming to see you every Thursday because I used to hold all these things in my head and that was hard.

Girl, age 10

We are very happy with the counselling service we are receiving and in particular ‘our therapist’s’ flexible and accommodating nature. Parents are very pleased, both the target children’s parents and the consultation one’s too.

SENCO, Rhodes Avenue School, Haringey

She is an outstanding therapist who has made a real difference to the lives of pupils in our school. ‘Our therapist’ possesses excellent skills in connecting with others, creating a safe space for staff, parents and pupils to discuss a range of issues. Her expertise, compassion, and dedication are truly commendable and we have really benefited from her thorough understanding of child development and psychology.

Deputy Head, Highgate Pre-Prep

I want to say thank you. I found these sessions very very helpful. I could talk about anything with you. I remember our first one, when I was so worried that everything was my fault. I can now see things more clearly.

student, age 11