Parenting is rewarding, and it is also demanding. Each stage of a child's development brings new questions, and strategies that worked last year may stop working. Parent-focused therapy gives you a place to understand your child's behavior, manage your own stress, and build practical approaches you can use at home. Sessions are available in person and online.
What Is Parent-Focused Therapy?
Parent-focused therapy is a form of therapy in which the parent or caregiver is the client. Sessions focus on what your child's behavior is communicating, how you respond to it, and what to try differently, as well as on the stress of parenting itself.
Our clinicians have training in child development and behavior. The work is practical: you leave sessions with concrete strategies for routines, limits, and communication, and you review what worked at the next session.
You do not need a diagnosis, and your child does not need to be in treatment. Many parents come simply because they want support during a difficult stage.
Challenges at Each Stage
Infancy & Early Toddlerhood
Understanding the needs of a child who cannot yet say what they need is demanding, especially with little sleep. Therapy helps you read your child's cues, build routines, and manage the exhaustion that comes with this stage.
Preschool Years
Emotional outbursts, refusals, and tantrums are common at this age and can leave parents unsure how to respond. Therapy helps you understand what is typical and respond consistently and calmly.
Adolescence
Teenagers need more independence, and parents still need to hold appropriate limits. Therapy helps you find that balance, communicate during conflict, and adapt your parenting to a changing relationship.
What We Work On
Understanding Your Child
- Age-Appropriate Behaviors and Milestones
- Moods and Emotions
- What Behavior Is Communicating
Managing Behavior
- Handling Difficult Behaviors
- Enlisting Your Child's Cooperation
- Behavior Plans and Routines
Supporting You and the Family
- Parenting Stress and Exhaustion
- Disagreements Between Parents
- Family Conflict
- Becoming a Parent
- Postpartum Depression and Anxiety
- Divorce and Other Family Transitions
What to Expect
You don't need to have it all figured out before you reach out.
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1
A Free Consultation
A brief call to learn what you are looking for, answer your questions, and match you with a clinician whose experience fits your family.
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2
Initial Sessions
You and your therapist discuss your family, your child's development and behavior, what you have already tried, and your goals. Together you agree on how to begin.
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3
Ongoing Work
Sessions focus on applying strategies at home and reviewing what worked. Your therapist checks in on progress regularly, and the plan changes as your child and your family do.
Care That Connects Across Specialties
Parenting concerns often connect to other needs. If your child would benefit from individual support, our child and adolescent therapy clinicians can work with your child while you continue parent-focused sessions, with coordination suited to your child's age and your consent. If parenting disagreements are straining your relationship, parenting alignment therapy or couples therapy may help. We also offer family therapy and neuropsychological testing for children who may benefit from an evaluation.
Meet our specialists in this area
Emily Mudge, LCSW
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Emily is a licensed clinical social worker and parent coach who works with children, adolescents, adults and families on anxiety, depression, and emotional dysregulation. She helps parents turn what happens in therapy into everyday strategies at home.
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Eva Leighton, PhD
CFO, Training Director
Dr. Leighton is a licensed clinical psychologist who works with adults, couples, children, and families on trauma recovery, substance use, parenting and behavioral concerns, and relationship difficulties. Her style is warm and supportive, with a natural sense of humor.
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Emily Bly, PhD
CEO, Clinical Director, Licensed Clinical Psychologist
Dr. Bly founded Psychology Partners Group on the idea that people do best when they're matched with the right expertise and feel at ease with their clinician. She works with adults, adolescents, and couples on anxiety, depression, ADHD challenges, relationship strain, and major life transitions, including infertility, adoption, and divorce.
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Jessica Duffy, LCSW
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Jessica is a licensed clinical social worker with twelve years of experience supporting adolescents, adults, couples, and families through anxiety, ADHD, trauma, and family or relationship conflict.
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Gerard Micera, PsyD
Licensed Clinical Psychologist
Dr. Micera is a licensed clinical psychologist and performing arts educator who works with children, adolescents, adults, couples, and families on anxiety, depression, and life transitions. His style is warm, humorous, and engaging.
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Melissa Klay, PhD, LCAT, ATR-BC
Licensed Clinical Psychologist, Director of Art Therapy Program
Dr. Klay is a licensed psychologist and board-certified art therapist with more than 25 years of experience treating complex trauma, eating disorders, anxiety, and emotional dysregulation in children, adolescents, and adults. She directs PPG’s art therapy program.
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