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“Goodyear-Brown offers an insightful look into the world of working with parents as a child therapist. Her deep, empathic understanding of families is rooted in years of therapeutic experience, which she shares openly and eloquently. The book presents effective interventions that are grounded in theory and that take into account the structure and timing of child therapy. Even as a long-time practitioner, I found myself learning new ways of engaging parents. This book is essential reading for novice and experienced play therapists alike.”

—Dee C. Ray, PhD, LPC-S, NCC, RPT-S, Director, Center for Play Therapy, and Professor, Counseling Program, University of North Texas


“When working with children in therapy, bringing parents into the process is critical for success—yet many therapists have had little or no training in how to do this. Goodyear-Brown has written a much-needed resource that addresses the stumbling blocks in working with parents that so many clinicians face. This outstanding book presents a perfect balance of theory, science, and practical application. Clinicians will find a wealth of wisdom; practical tools, such as worksheets; and clinical interventions to actively engage caregivers. Every therapist who works with children should have this book!”

—Karen Doyle Buckwalter, MSW, LCSW, RPT-S, Director of Program Strategy, Chaddock, Quincy, Illinois


“This is the book parents need clinicians to read. By the time parents seek therapy for their children, they are often exhausted, discouraged, and weighed down by shame. This book beautifully leads clinicians to see parents through a lens of great compassion. As the clinician establishes a feeling of safety, parents, in turn, can do the same for their child. As an adoptive parent, I was deeply moved by this book. It equips clinicians to help families move from distress to calm, from despair to hope.”

—Lisa Qualls, coauthor of The Connected Parent


“A thoughtful exploration of ways to empower parents as partners in children’s healing. The book focuses on responsive therapies, the power of parent–child co-regulation, the rewriting of unhelpful stories that parents may unconsciously carry, and the importance of attachment. Goodyear-Brown balances information and experience, making the content tangible by providing ample examples and dialogues that demonstrate the concepts in real life. She honors parents’ and children’s unique perspectives, and brings them together on the same path so all may begin to heal.”

—Becky A. Bailey, PhD, CEO and Creator of Conscious Discipline

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Table of Contents

Preface

1. Helping Parents Grow: Gently Shifting Paradigms

2. Helping Parents Set the Bar to Support Bottom-Up Brain Development

3. Helping Parents Become Safe Bosses: Attachment and the Cascade of Care

4. Helping Parents Understand Themselves to Understand Their Children

5. Helping Parents SOOTHE: A Deep Dive into Co-Regulation Strategies

6. Helping Parents Be Fun and Fully Present

7. Helping Parents Train the Triune Brain

8. Helping Parents Set Boundaries and Deal with Big Behaviors

9. Helping Parents Become Stronger Storykeepers

References

Index

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About the Author

Paris Goodyear-Brown, LCSW, RPT-S, is Founder of the TraumaPlay Institute; Clinical Director of Nurture House, in Franklin, Tennessee; and Adjunct Instructor of Psychiatric Mental Health at Vanderbilt University. Ms. Goodyear-Brown is the creator of the TraumaPlay therapy model, which focuses on trauma recovery, attachment repair, and anxiety reduction. She is a recipient of the Public Education and Promotion Award from the Association for Play Therapy; has given a TEDx talk on trauma and play therapy; and is the author of multiple books, chapters, and articles related to child therapy. Her mission is to help parents and children delight in each other as they stick together through hard times, and to equip other clinicians to do the same.

• Author's website

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Audience

Play, art, and other creative arts therapists; clinical psychologists, social workers, and counselors working with children and families.