Your child has a gentle, sensitive spirit.
They take in the world with all of their senses and bring their whole, beautiful hearts to everything they do. You are consistently amazed by the million-dollar wisdom they casually spout off.
But, oh my, do they struggle.
Shifts in routine, slights from friends, and perceived anger from adults send them into a spiral. Everyday is filled with:
Tears. Like, weep till they lose their voice tears.
Shutdowns. Forget about zooming with grandma.
Tummy aches. Meals are so tough, you’re starting to worry about their nutrition.
Constant worry about something bad happening. The reality of COVID-19 and growing social injustice is not helping.
Emotional hangovers for the whole family.
Then, there is their LGBTQIA identity. (Or yours!) The things you celebrate and nurture at home also cause worry when you think about your child out in the world. The idea that someone could bully them for who they are is too painful to contemplate.
You love them so much, and a very secret part of you wishes they could just toughen up already. Wouldn’t life be easier for them?
You think this so often it’s starting to feel like a mantra:
“I wish they could feel the freedom of just being a kid.”
This is what I know:
Your child is doing the best they can; the feelings are just too big.
Your child has an emotional traffic jam inside of them. The feelings are all backed up, honking, full of road rage, and stalling out on the freeway. It’s loud. It’s stressful. And it makes your child dread their daily commute.
I support your child in clearing the pile up of feelings.
Then, we put on our construction helmets and widen the road. We create more capacity, so they don’t have to sit in rush hour every single day.
Most importantly, I collaborate with you. Together we will:
Discover the parenting philosophy that makes sense for your unique family.
Practice concrete techniques to help you stay calm and connected to your child.
Build confidence in your ability to be a consistent LGBTQIA advocate, no matter the situation. I will help you stand up for your child at school, with other parents, to extended family, and beyond.
Imagine the family evening of your dreams. A low-key dinner followed by play, bathtime, snuggles, and the sweetest bedtime stories.
Your little one drifts off to sleep, able to peacefully let go of the day. You notice that you have enough energy to spend a few moments taking care of yourself, instead of collapsing into Netflix. But first, you joyfully watch your child rest.
You know they’re going to be ok.
Let’s get there together.
PS. Not sure how to explain therapy to your kiddo? I get it, and I’ve got you covered. Click here for a video of me explaining what therapy is and how it works in a session.