The National Survey of Children’s Health (2016–2018) gathered parent-reported data on 97,728 US children aged 0–17 years resulting in 7.2% of children having at least one caregiver with poor mental health. This same study provided further evidence showing the mental health concerns of parents/caregivers directly negatively impact a child’s general health and well-being (Wolicki, S., Bitsko, R., Cree, R. et al., 2021).

Parent-child therapy is a form of family therapy where the parent and child meet with the therapist together for therapy. Parents and caregivers are a vital piece of support and healing when it comes to the therapy of children. At the Magnuson Mazzoni Center PLLC, I believe it is imperative to support children in the ways that they are needing and part of this is to support the parents/caregivers through the process of therapy alongside their child through parent-child therapy. Taking a parent-child therapy approach gives the family the ability to achieve the best possible outcome for the child, parent, and family. My goal is to provide the child and parent(s)/caregiver(s) with the opportunity, skills, and healing to achieve overall healthier mental health and well-being while remaining true to their individual and family cultures, morals, and values.

References

Wolicki, S.B., Bitsko, R.H., Cree, R.A. et al. Mental Health of Parents and Primary Caregivers by Sex and Associated Child Health Indicators. ADV RES SCI 2, 125–139 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42844-021-00037-7