Frequently Asked Questions
If you’re here, you probably have questions...about your child, about yourself, or about whether things at home can feel different than they do right now. Many parents arrive feeling overwhelmed, unsure, or quietly worried that they’re doing something wrong. You’re not alone in that. These are the questions I hear most often, and you’re welcome to all of them. There’s no “wrong” question here.
Next Question
Why doesn’t my child listen
the first time I ask?
Children develop attention, impulse control, and the ability to shift from one activity to another at their own pace. What can look like “not listening,” defiance, or even disrespect is often an underdeveloped skill.
That doesn’t mean you repeat yourself endlessly. It means we look at how to support those skills while also helping you stay steady in the moment. Small shifts in how you approach transitions can reduce power struggles and make things feel smoother at home.
Why do I keep yelling at my child even when I don’t want to?
Most parents who ask this question aren't trying to be harsh. They're exhausted, overstimulated, and carrying more than they realize. Yelling is often a sign that your nervous system is overwhelmed, not that you are a bad parent.
When stress builds and there hasn’t been enough rest, support, or space to reset, reactions come out faster than intentions. The good news is that this pattern can change. In therapy, we look at what's happening underneath the reaction, strengthen your ability to pause, and build practical tools so you can respond in ways that feel more aligned with the parent you want to be.
You're not alone in this. And you're not beyond repair.
Am I damaging my child by yelling?
The fact that you’re asking this question matters. It tells me you care deeply about the impact you’re having.
Yelling can affect children, especially if it feels frequent or intense. But children are shaped by patterns over time...and they are just as powerfully shaped by repair. When a parent comes back, reconnects, and takes responsibility, that builds trust, resilience, and emotional security.
The goal isn’t to never lose your cool. All relationships have missteps. The goal is to strengthen your ability to manage overwhelm so it happens less often...and to become skilled at repair when it does. Repair is one of the most important relational skills a parent can learn, and it can be taught and practiced.
Is arguing in front of my kids bad?
Conflict is a normal part of relationships. Children don’t need a perfectly calm home to feel secure.
What matters most is whether their sense of safety is restored. When arguments feel intense or unresolved, a child can experience it as instability. But when parents are able to re-establish safety, children learn that relationships can stretch and settle again.
If conflict in your home feels frequent or hard to manage, that doesn’t mean you’ve damaged your child. It means there are skills that can be strengthened. And that work is possible.
I feel like I’m a bad parent. Is that normal?
Yes. Many capable, loving parents have moments where they feel this way... especially when they’re tired, reactive, or stuck in patterns they don’t like.
Feeling like a bad parent usually says more about how much you care than about your actual capacity. If you didn't truly care, you wouldn't even ask this question. What usually needs attention isn’t your character, but your level of stress, support, and skill in managing overwhelm.
Parenting stretches every vulnerable part of us. With the right support, patterns can shift. Feeling discouraged doesn’t mean you’re failing. It means something needs strengthening — and that work is possible.
Is it too late to change how things are
at home?
No. Patterns in families can change.
What feels automatic right now is often just a habit that’s been repeated under stress. And habits can shift. It won’t happen overnight, and hard moments will still come, but change is possible with steady support and practice.
You don’t need to become a different parent. You strengthen the parts of you that already want something better.
If you’re reading this
and feeling ready,
you don’t have to wait.
What happens in parent therapy?
If you’ve never heard the term “parent therapy” before, you’re not alone. Many parents haven’t, even though it can be deeply helpful.
Parent therapy focuses on you, not on fixing your child. We look at the patterns that feel stuck at home, the moments that trigger you, and the goals you have for your family. You’ll gain practical tools, a clearer understanding of child development, and support in strengthening your ability to stay steady in hard moments.
It’s not about blame. It’s about building capacity, so your home feels calmer and more connected over time.
Do both parents need to come to therapy?
No. Change can begin with one parent.
While it can be helpful when both parents participate, it isn’t required. When one parent strengthens their regulation, communication, and approach, the family dynamic often shifts in meaningful ways.
If both of you are open to attending, we can work together as a couple. If not, you can still begin on your own. You don’t have to wait for perfect alignment to start building something healthier at home.
Is parent therapy covered by insurance in Ontario?
In many cases, yes. Parent therapy is typically covered under extended health benefits when services are provided by a Registered Psychotherapist.
Coverage depends on your individual plan, so it’s best to check directly with your insurance provider to confirm your yearly allowance and reimbursement process.
After each session, you’ll receive a receipt that can be submitted to your insurer. If you’re unsure how your plan works, I’m happy to help you think through what questions to ask.
How long does it take to see change?
That really depends on what you’re working on, but many parents begin to notice shifts within the first few sessions. Often the earliest changes happen in awareness... understanding what’s driving certain reactions and seeing patterns more clearly.
Lasting change tends to build with consistency. Parenting patterns are shaped over time, and they strengthen through repeated practice in real-life moments.
The goal isn’t quick perfection. It’s building traction...small shifts that compound and make your home feel calmer and more manageable.
How often do we need to meet,
and how long are sessions?
The first session is 90 minutes. This allows me to gather a full background, which is essential for doing thoughtful and effective work together.
Ongoing sessions are 60 or 90 minutes. For couples or co-parenting work, I typically recommend 90-minute sessions to allow enough time for both perspectives.
I usually suggest meeting weekly for the first four sessions. This builds traction and gives us the continuity needed to begin shifting patterns. After that, we reassess together. Some families continue weekly, while others move to bi-weekly or monthly support.
The pace is collaborative and tailored to your goals.
Can parent therapy help
if I can’t get along with my ex?
Yes. Even when the other parent isn’t willing to change, you can strengthen how you show up.
A lot of this work focuses on building your capacity...staying regulated when communication feels triggering, responding with clarity instead of reactivity, and creating emotional safety for your child in your home.
You may not be able to control the other household. But you can learn to lead from your values, stay steady in the face of tension, and become the consistent base your child relies on. That shift alone can make a meaningful difference.
How much does parent therapy cost?
Sessions are $180 for 60 minutes and $270 for 90 minutes. The fee is the same whether you attend individually or as a couple.
I’ve never done therapy before.
How do I start?
You don’t book a full session right away.
We start with a free 15-minute consultation call. You tell me a little about what’s been happening at home. I’ll ask a few questions to understand the bigger picture.
You don’t need to have the right words. You just need to describe what it feels like.
By the end of that call, we both decide whether it feels like a good fit.
If it does, we schedule a 90-minute first session. If it doesn’t, there’s no pressure and no obligation.
Starting is simply a conversation.
Still have questions? Let’s talk.
If you’ve read through these questions and found yourself nodding, you’re not alone. Parenting stretches every part of us. The fact that you’re here, asking and reflecting, already tells me how much you care. You don’t have to carry this alone. Sometimes all it takes is a short conversation to feel clearer and more hopeful.
