Parental Counseling
Nowadays access to counseling-related material that concerns the upbringing of children is very easy (Internet – Books – Articles in newspapers and magazines – Informative TV shows – Written communication – Telephone Support). However, the information and advice provided in these ways rarely consider the specific needs and characteristics of the family, the parent and the child.
Parental counseling provided by mental health professionals is the best way to support parenting and to provide targeted information about upbringing issues, answering questions that often confuse parents, such as: How long should a child play electronic games? How long should he/she watch tv? When does anxiety need an intervention? How can you handle a death in the family, a divorce or an upcoming big change in the family like moving houses? When and how could you tell your child that he/she is adopted? How can you answer questions of sexual nature? When and how should you provide sound sexual education? etc
The ultimate goal of parental counseling is to aid the parents in their role and help them to cultivate a meaningful relationship with their children. Parents learn to use the new knowledge and skills even after the end of the procedure.
Parental counseling can take place either on a personal or on a group level. In group parental counseling each group consists of 5 to 10 parents of children of similar age. Groups of parents of children aged 1-6, 6-12 and 12-18 are formed. The groups are created after applications are made.
Specifically, the issues that we address are
- The function of the family
- Parents – children relationships
- Distinctive features of each age
- Development and enhancement of self esteem
- Communication skills
- Social skills
- Management of anxiety and emotional difficulties
- Setting limits and discipline
- Setting and keeping family rules
- Unwanted behavior
- Parental skills enhancement
- Adoption
- Crisis management:
- divorce / separation
- death
- immigration – repatriation
- diagnosis of a chronic disease
She has specialized in Cognitive Behavioral Psychotherapy at the Hellenic Association of Behavioral Research which is accredited by the European Association of Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies (EABCT).
Furthermore, she has attended specialist seminars on Family Therapy, Parent Counseling and Eating Disorders.
She is licensed to practice psychology as a specialist in School/Educational Psychology (Ref. No.: 359).