Hi and welcome to BetterHelp.
I am a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor (Utah) with 15 years’ experience in the field of mental health. I have worked with clients in a variety of settings ranging from in-home therapy to an acute psychiatric hospital setting. I have experience in helping clients overcome issues of depression (including mild to moderate self harm), anxiety, addictions, relationship and family issues, grief and loss, and issues of abuse (victim and perpetrator).
For the past 9 years I have been the owner and clinical director for a private therapeutic foster care agency in Utah. We train and license therapeutic proctor parents and support our parents in fostering children with behavioral and mental health problems, and in reunifying these difficult children with their parents. As such, my current passion is to work with parents who are struggling with difficult children and teens. I also have 5 children of my own ranging in ages from 1-14.
I know that by the time most people seek help for parenting issues, things can really be out of control. I spend every day working with parents and proctor parents of children and teens that are struggling with severe behavioral problems. I have supported parents while they dealt with their children’s substance abuse, verbal abuse, entitlements, threats, pornography addictions, and repeated visits by the police. I know how bleak and helpless a parent of an out-of-control and abusive teen can feel. I also know that getting support as a parent can make the difference between giving up and feeling strong and empowered. Often your normal and healthy parenting styles can be used against you by an oppositional child or teen. Parents often feel guilty and ashamed that their children have become so disruptive. A skillful teen will know exactly what to say to make sure their parents blame themselves for the teen’s behavior problems.
There is hope. You are the parent and you can take back control. Though your child will not change overnight, your perspective and approach to parenting can. I approach parenting issues with a direct and no nonsense style. It is important for you to know that you are not alone and that other parents have felt as hopeless and afraid as you do now, and that things will get better.
Additional areas of focus: Stress, Anxiety, Addictions, Relationship issues, Family conflicts, Trauma and abuse, Grief, Intimacy-related issues, Anger management, Self esteem, Career difficulties
