Family-Based Psychotherapy for Parents with Young Children
Welcome all parents!
I’m Dr. Lindsay Huffhines, a child psychologist specialized in early childhood development and mental health. I work directly with parents to ensure they are equipped and empowered with the tools and insights they need to navigate the parenting journey successfully.
From discussing parenting challenges to exploring your kiddo’s developmental psychology, I’m here to help parents become the agents of change their home and family needs to thrive.
About this service
Family-centered child psychology for parents
Family-based psychotherapy is an attachment-based approach designed to support the child by working directly with the people who know and care for the child best: their parents and caregivers. In a family-based therapy session, I’ll meet one-on-one with parents, and when appropriate, we may include your child in sessions, too.
Getting to the heart of a behavioral concern or a challenging family dynamic begins with awareness – understanding what’s really going on underneath the manifesting concern. From this grounded center, we will work to cultivate connection by fostering healthy and secure attachment, because the ultimate goal isn’t necessarily to merely ‘stop’ the behavior or ‘change’ the dynamic. It’s to build a strong, relational foundation you can turn to throughout every age and stage of your family’s journey.
This therapy service explores practical ways for responding to emotional, developmental, and behavioral concerns and is ideal for parents seeking support for all types of issues and topics, including…
- Big feelings, tantrums, and aggression
- Emotional regulation and difficulty calming
- Listening, cooperation, and challenging behaviors
- Anxiety, worries, fears, and separation difficulties
- Questions about attention, development, autism, or ADHD
- Adjustment to divorce, adoption, illness, loss, or other major changes
- Parenting challenges related to neurodivergence
- Concerns about the parent-child relationship or family dynamics
Positive mental health begins in relationships, which is why supporting a child often begins by supporting the parent. Young children develop, learn, heal, and grow all in the context of the parent-child relationship, which is in part why the parent-child relationship is the most influential dynamic in a child’s life. With this in mind, I’m here to ensure parents are equipped and empowered to bring about parent-led change in their home.
A holistic, integrative approach
Together, we’ll consider the whole picture, including your child’s development and temperament, your experiences and responses as a parent, and the relationship between both you and your child. As we build greater awareness of what’s happening beneath the surface, we’ll translate that understanding into practical strategies that fuel connection and healthy development – for ALL involved.
The parent-child relationship can be complex and confusing at times – especially when you might be reparenting yourself. My goal is to help you as the parents develop the clarity and confidence you need so that you can essentially be the therapist in your child’s life. We’ll work together to ensure you are fully equipped to understand your child and successfully navigate the parent-child relationship.
Our work is child-centered, but parent-focused, which means I do not provide therapy exclusively to young children in isolation. When appropriate, your child may certainly participate in our sessions, but depending on your concerns a standard session may include one parent, both parents, siblings, other caregivers, or just you and your child. This service doesn’t look the same for every family, because I personalize every session based on your unique needs and goals.
The more the merrier
Every family is different. One parent can come. Two parents can attend. Grandparents, siblings, or other important caregivers can be part of the process when appropriate. I work comfortably with families navigating divorce and co-parenting, two-home families, blended families, adoptive families, culturally diverse families, and family structures that don’t fit a traditional mold.
My philosophy is grounded in compassion-fueled acceptance and genuine empathy. I love working with parents, and my approach brings together developmental science and evidence-based practices in a way that holds space for each family’s unique story, culture, and beliefs. Whatever your family’s personality is, I’m here for it!
What I believe:
Behavior is communication, especially for young children who don’t yet have the words and the emotional skills to explain what’s happening. Instead of focusing only on how to change behavior, we explore ways parenting responses can naturally neutralize tension, influence cooperation, and strengthen connection.
Much of parenting is often reparenting. Every parent brings their own history and experiences to their parenting journey. I help you develop the awareness and capacity necessary for understanding not just your child, but also yourself – because knowing what to do becomes clearer once we understand the why.
Parents need practical support that builds a long-term foundation.
My goal for every session is for you to leave feeling supported and equipped. I’m not here to overwhelm you with a giant list of things to remember. Step by step, we’ll explore manageable ways to develop strong parenting strategies that continue to serve your family long after a particular challenge has passed.
It’s really hard to feel all the warm, fuzzy family vibes when home life feels overwhelming and chaotic. If you’re feeling stuck in your parenting journey or confused on how to manage your child’s concerning behavior, family-based psychotherapy can help.
We’ll work collaboratively and compassionately together to understand what may be driving a child’s behavior, make sense of developmental or emotional needs, and discover effective, healthy ways to respond. The goal of family-based psychotherapy is not simply to “fix” a behavior, but to strengthen the relationship underneath it so both parent and child can feel more connected as they navigate relationship dynamics and developmental growth together.
- Understand your child more deeply. Gain insight into what may be underneath your child’s emotions and behaviors.
- Respond with greater confidence. Develop practical, developmentally informed ways to respond to challenging moments.
- Strengthen your parent-child connection. Build greater trust, safety, cooperation, and emotional connection.
- Navigate big emotions more effectively. Learn how to support your child through tantrums, anxiety, frustration, and other intense feelings.
- Understand your own parenting patterns. Develop greater awareness of your own reactions, experiences, and instincts as a parent.
- Feel less overwhelmed and more capable. Replace some of the uncertainty and second-guessing with perspective, support, and a plan.
- Build a foundation for the future. Develop relationship skills and parenting strategies that can continue serving your family as your child grows.
Is family-focused therapy right for me?
Family-based psychotherapy may be a good fit for you if you’re struggling with your child’s emotions, behavior, or development, or if your parent-child relationship would benefit from support. If you aren’t sure exactly what’s wrong but your intuition is saying that something feels ‘off’ – that’s ok. Please still feel free to reach out.
I’m well-experienced in helping families figure out what’s happening so they can get to the heart of the issue and work intentionally toward peace and connection.
Build a legacy that lasts
The work you do now can become part of your child’s story for years to come. Let’s build that foundation together.
It can be easy to get caught up in the meltdown of the moment or get stuck in a confusing survival loop. But parenting is about so much more than getting through today’s hardship. The relationship you build with your child today becomes part of the foundation they carry into tomorrow. I’m here for parents who want to reflect on their parenting journey with peace, knowing they did their best to cultivate positive connection and nurture their child’s mental health.
If you’re ready for support, start with a free 15-minute phone consultation. We can talk about what’s happening, answer your questions, and explore whether working together is the right next step for your family.
For more information regarding how therapy works with me please visit my FAQ page.