Parent Counseling at MindWell NYC

Parenting isn’t always easy. If you’ve ever heard your child say, “You just don’t understand me,” or felt like you're constantly on different wavelengths, you’re not alone. These moments of disconnection, frustration, or burnout are common in parenting—especially when it feels like your child is avoiding you, or favoring your partner over you. If you're feeling overwhelmed or unsure of how to improve your relationship with your child, parent counseling might be the support you need.

When Parenting Becomes Too Challenging...

Parenting is full of highs and lows. It can be emotionally draining to experience difficult arguments, or to feel like your child doesn’t respect your authority or listen to your guidance. It’s even harder when these challenges lead to feelings of inadequacy, frustration, or confusion. You might feel stressed by your role, struggling with the demands of balancing work, relationships, and family life. Here are some common challenges you might face:

Parenting strategies may stop working

As children grow, what once worked may no longer be effective, leading to frustration.

Increased tension during transitions

Behavioral issues, academic struggles, and communication gaps can create conflict.

Shifting parent-child dynamics

As kids seek independence, relationships can change, making guidance more challenging.

External stressors impact parenting

Work pressures, relationship issues, and personal struggles can add to parenting difficulties.

Struggles can hinder communication

If a child is facing personal challenges, it may become harder to connect and understand each other.

Children absorb their environment

Their behavior often reflects the stress and challenges parents face.

Parent counseling allows you to learn strategies that you can use to address your child’s unique challenges and still maintain a positive relationship with them.

At MindWell NYC, our parent counseling team offers a safe, nonjudgmental space to discuss your concerns. With a combination of evidence-based therapies—like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and parent management training—we help parents strengthen their relationship with their children. You’ll learn how to manage your child’s behavior more effectively, reduce negative patterns, and foster positive behaviors. Additionally, we provide couples counseling for parents, helping you and your partner communicate more effectively and align on parenting strategies.

Featured Parent Counselor

Dr. Erin Corcoran, Ph.D.

Dr. Erin Corcoran is a post-doctoral fellow at MindWell NYC. She specializes in behavior management and trauma across the lifespan with extensive experience treating anxiety, depression, and self-harm/suicidality. She also has experience working with substance use disorders, chronic pain, and relational difficulties. Dr. Corcoran is a certified parent-child interaction therapy (PCIT) provider and is trained in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and a range of trauma-focused therapies (Trauma-Focused CBT (TF-CBT), Prolonged Exposure (PE), Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), and Written Exposure Therapy (WET)). Dr. Corcoran provides individual and group therapy to children, adolescents, and adults at MindWell NYC. Dr. Corcoran received her Ph.D. in clinical psychology from the University of Florida, College of Public Health and Health Professions and her B.A. in psychology from Harvard College.

You May Have Some Questions About Parent Counseling For You and Your Child...

What is the Meaning of Parent Counseling?

Parent counseling is a therapeutic approach aimed at helping parents develop strategies to manage their child’s behavior and strengthen their relationship with them. Through a combination of therapy modalities, it supports parents in gaining a deeper understanding of their child’s needs while offering practical tools for navigating everyday challenges.

What Therapy is Best for Parenting?

Parenting therapy approaches like CBT, DBT, and parent management training are often the most effective. These therapies focus on teaching parents how to change negative patterns, communicate effectively, and improve their responses to difficult behaviors. Behavioral therapy is especially helpful in modifying behavior and setting clear expectations.

How to Deal with a Difficult Parent as an Adult Child?

If you’re an adult dealing with a difficult parent, therapy can help you understand the dynamics of your relationship. It’s important to communicate your feelings while setting boundaries, and therapy provides the space to navigate these complex family dynamics.

How to Heal from Toxic Parents?

Healing from toxic parenting often requires therapy to help you process past trauma and create healthier boundaries. Through therapy, you can learn to recognize unhealthy patterns and develop strategies for building a more positive relationship with your parents.