Parenting can be as challenging as it can be rewarding! Our children can bring great joy to our lives as we support them on their journey to adulthood. At the same time, parenting can be frustrating, thankless and just hard work, particularly when children move into their teenage years.
Life Supports counsellors and psychologists support our clients in navigating their roles as parents. We offer support when parents are feeling overwhelmed or 'stuck', and are unsure of the best steps to take for themselves and for their children.
Parenting counselling is a space to work through the challenges that come with raising children at any stage. With the guidance of an experienced counsellor, you can better understand your child's needs and behaviour, develop strategies that actually work for your family, and strengthen the relationship you have with your child.
It's not about being told you're doing it wrong. It's about having someone in your corner who can help you figure out what will work better.
Some of the most common reasons parents seek support include:
You may choose to attend parenting counselling alone, with your partner, or with your child, in order to effectively work through the issues facing your family. We can work alongside you, to better understand your child or teenager and their developmental stage, and identify strategies to support you in this challenging role as a parent.
You will learn constructive ways to manage the issues and conflicts that parenting brings, enabling you to forge a more positive relationship with your child or teenager. Identifying ways to communicate more effectively and deal with conflict proactively are paramount to achieving a positive and harmonious family unit.
Sessions are confidential, non-judgmental, and focused on what's realistic for your family — not a one-size-fits-all approach.
Your first session is mostly a conversation. Your counsellor will want to understand what's been going on, what you've already tried, and what you're hoping to get out of counselling. You don't need to have everything figured out before you come. Most parents arrive with a general sense that something isn't working, and that's a perfectly good place to start.
Life Supports counsellors and psychologists support our clients in navigating their roles as parents. We offer support when parents are feeling overwhelmed or 'stuck', and are unsure of the best steps to take for themselves and for their children. For appointments or enquiries, please call 1300 735 030 or leave us an email via our contact page.
Appointments currently available
Open 8am to 8pm weekdays and 9am to 5:30pm weekends
Parenting counselling supports parents in navigating parenthood, developing their parenting skills, and fostering positive relationships with their children and family. With the guidance of a counsellor, you are encouraged to find ways to manage challenges affecting your family dynamic, whether that be complex children behaviours or supporting your child in their developmental years; the support and advice of a counsellor can be a valuable resource for parents.
Parenting counselling can benefit anyone considering or raising children, including expecting parents, new parents, couples, and singles. Counselling can be particularly helpful to parents who are facing parenting challenges such as navigating co-parenting after separation or child behavioural problems.
Parenting counselling can help with a variety of issues, such as navigating different parenting dynamics after separation, managing challenging child behaviour, coping with significant life changes (divorce or relocation), and strengthening familial relationships. However, parenting counselling isn’t always necessitated by issues; it can simply be a matter of wanting to learn the skills to be a better parent. Counselling can be a great way for you to learn the skills to help your child develop, learn positive parenting techniques and create a safe and happy environment for your family.
Not necessarily. Many parents attend on their own, at least to begin with. Your counsellor will guide you on whether it would be helpful to include your child or partner as things progress. The structure of sessions is flexible and built around what works best for your family.