Parenting is a thankless job that can be an incredibly rewarding and enjoyable life journey. Children are a gift, but even the most cool-headed parent can have their grievances when trying to be kind, caring, and dedicated to them.
Life events also face many parents at unprecedented times, creating challenges along the way. Those moments and situations can be disheartening, scary, or downright tough to deal with. While ups and downs are normal in any functioning family, parents can especially be hit hard with confronting new feelings of uncertainty.
If you are sensing constant angst like you can’t catch a break, or think certain circumstances are just extremely difficult to resolve and overcome, then counseling may be an option for you. Talking to a behavioral health expert can be beneficial for many reasons. It might be a step in the right direction to make you feel confident again and remain on the right-minded parenting track.
Need someone to help walk with you through this journey? Schedule a therapy appointment.
What Makes It Difficult?
We all have different ideas of what family is. Before having children, it can be easy to picture what life would and should be like. As life happens, unpredictable events do unfold, the result of which could cause parents to struggle or feel as if they are losing control.
The following are examples of how certain events, relationships, and major changes in the past or present, play a role in the stresses parents encounter when raising children.
Past Traumas: A parents’ childhood or life before children could house painful memories that bring out unwanted negative emotions. A traumatic event or a series of events could be unbearable to avoid, with triggers more than likely creating anxiety, anger, or other symptoms. It could be hard to balance coping with parenting in a positive manner when raising your children. There are different types of traumas caused by a range of alarming situations.
Family Situations: This could be anything from changes between partnerships, stresses at work, children requiring more attention, or having difficulties in school. Events such as these could cause strife, frustration or more. Also, certain roles within the family can change and play a huge part in how normal functionality goes from clarity to confusion. This could include negativity triggered by actions like unexpected single parenthood, an uneasy transition of a blended family, or poor boundary issues with extended family. These types of scenarios could contribute to the hardships one faces as a parent.
Societal Changes: These are external aspects that while technically are indirect towards a family, can still affect them internally. Causes such a Covid, or violence such as active shooters in public places, are tragedies that can be of great concern for parents. A progression of constant worry or fear about their children’s safety could be difficult to maintain without guidance.
Societal Pressure: These are also external influences that impact parents today. Such as a mother feeling pressure about how long to breastfeed or debating whether they should work full-time or not with a baby. This could also include pressures partners face between home and work-life balance. Ultimately, parents can feel pressure from what society is telling them, which oftentimes can leave them feeling anxious, unsure, or frustrated.
If any of these descriptions resonate with you, it would be beneficial to consider counseling. Our goal is to help you put a pause on your life’s stressors and start working through them for a better tomorrow.
How do You Know If Counseling Is Right For You?
We are all individuals with different needs, and these needs change over time. Mental wellness is deserved by all and we can help. If you feel skeptical about counseling, we offer a variety of mental health services to best fit your specific needs as a parent.
Noticing a pattern of routine emotions is a good place to start when wondering if you should talk to a professional. If you have been feeling any of the following in regards to parenting on a daily or weekly basis, then seeking counseling may be in your best interest.
- Stress
- Anxiety
- Anger
- Fear
- Disappointment
- Depression
- Loneliness
- Overwhelmingness
- Hopelessness
- Panic
- Mood Swings
If you have dealt with any of the following robust changes and have had a hard time because of it, then talking through these difficulties with a professional could help.
- Blended Family
- Divorced Family
- Issues with Extended Family
- Lack of Support
- Role Changes within the Family
- Loss of a Family Member
- Major Family Life Changes
- Societal Changes
- Societal Pressures
If you agree with any of these suggestions, then exploring counseling options could be beneficial to you in your current situation.
Which Methods Work Best For Your Situation?
We have a variety of counseling service options designed to fit your lifestyle and family dynamic. Including individual, couples, and group therapy. We will work with you to figure out which approach makes you the most comfortable, while offering the most valuable help you deserve.
Here are some viable counseling sessions for you to view and to help spark your decision.
Individual: Focuses on what therapies work specifically for how you process information. Your personality, family, and environment is unique to you. A behavior health expert will work with you one-on-one to develop coping strategies around your individual needs and goals.
Couples: Focuses on the marriage to help create a strong relationship between you and your partner. While marriages make up part of a functioning family, couples therapy may be a solution to help navigate you and your partners’ parenting roles.
Group Therapy: These groups are created for individuals going through similar life challenges to form connections and learn together. Whether you wish to see new perspectives to make positive changes or desire for more support, our group therapy sessions create a safe place for all.
Family Therapy: If you are a single parent or have a large extended family, our family therapy provides a positive atmosphere when working to strengthen bonds and create healthy family dynamics. Formulated through family interaction, our goal is to help resolve issues and build lasting relationships for all.
Each therapy offers support and uplifting experiences to help you work through the struggles that are clouding your ability to feel at peace as a parent. We have a diverse staff who excel in many different areas of parenting and family awareness. This is so you can feel comfortable with your behavioral health expert, and they can understand you, your role as a parent, and what you hope to achieve through counseling.
We Are Here to Help
There’s no shame in asking for help when you’re not feeling on top of your game. Counseling works to hit your refresh button so you can regain your confidence as a parent and feel supported every step of the way.
Whether you wish to establish clear family boundaries, learn how to better communicate to your child, set long term goals, or just figure out new coping mechanisms that are more in tune with your current parenting situation. Our counseling services are here to help evoke positive change by creating efficient and rewarding means of emotional management along your parenting journey.
Are you ready to continue thriving as a parent to be the best for your child? Contact us to schedule an appointment!