The Parent Hope Podcast

Bridging the Gap: Parents Relating Positively to their Child's  Mental Health ServiceIn this episode, Jenny Brown and Dr Annemaree Bickerton explore how parents can effectively engage with mental health clinicians supporting their children. We discuss what parents can expect in terms of involvement, the different types of involvement that empower parents as key contributors to their child's recovery, and how shared information builds trust. The episode also addresses the challenges parents may face, such as feeling intimidated by expert authority, and offers practical tips on how to ask for meaningful collaboration. Finally, we touch on the limitations of the medical model in mental health care and why a more relational, inclusive approach benefits families.Dr Bickerton is the co-developer of the training: STAYING CONNECTED WHEN EMOTIONS RUN HIGH.Listen to a previous episode with Dr Annemaree https://parenthopeproject.com.au/podcasts/staying-connected-when-emotions-run-high/And read this blog: https://parenthopeproject.com.au/time-to-de-medicalise-childrens-mental-health-2023/For professional training, go to:https://parenthopeproject.com.au/training-for-professionals/Train to use the Parent Hope Manualised Program, a research-based clinical intervention for those working with parents, families and in children's mental health. Support overwhelmed parents to address their own self-regulation, to support their children's wellbeing.The manualised program provides a map for parents to discover ways they can change their part in dynamics to support their young person's development of self-regulation, balanced relationship connection and independence.Newsletter-https://parenthopeproject.com.au/#newsletter Youtube-http://www.youtube.com/@ParentHopeProject Facebook-https://www.facebook.com/coachingparents Instagram-https://www.instagram.com/parenthopeproject/ LinkedIn-https://www.linkedin.com/company/79093727/admin/feed/posts/ Website-https://parenthopeproject.com.au/ Contact us: Contact@parentproject.com.au (02) 9904 5600

In this episode, we explore a modern parenting paradox: how to be a supportive parent without overdoing it. Joining us again is researcher and family systems therapist Phil Kelver from Kansas, USA, sharing insights from his 20-year study of 50 families.Together, we unpack his fascinating research about the effects of over-investing in our children, how parents can spot the subtle signs of doing too much, and what it takes to find a healthier balance in today's high-pressure parenting culture.A thoughtful, eye-opening conversation for anyone navigating the fine line between care and control.We explore:What the data reveals about over-investment and its impact on both kids and parentsSubtle signs that you might be overdoing it—and how to spot them in your daily lifePractical insights to help you stay engaged without becoming enmeshedThe real-world pressures making it hard for parents to step back, and how to navigate them with confidenceWhether you're a parent, educator, or just curious about the changing dynamics of modern family life, this episode offers thoughtful reflection and guidance on finding that elusive middle ground.Tune in for a conversation that's honest, research-informed, and full of takeaways to help you parent with clarity—not anxiety.Phillip Klever has conducted a remarkable 20-year study of 50 couples and their multigenerational families and has written 7 peer-reviewed journal articles about the study. https://www.linkedin.com/in/phillip-klever-8b360927/Researchhttps://www.researchgate.net/profile/Phillip-KleverKey articlehttps://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1752-0606.2009.00120.xNewsletter-https://parenthopeproject.com.au/#newsletter Youtube-http://www.youtube.com/@ParentHopeProject Facebook-https://www.facebook.com/coachingparents Instagram-https://www.instagram.com/parenthopeproject/ LinkedIn-https://www.linkedin.com/company/79093727/admin/feed/posts/ Website-https://parenthopeproject.com.au/ Contact us: Contact@parentproject.com.au (02) 9904 5600

Discovering that your child is self-harming is understandably fear- inducing for any parent. Drawing on Bowen family systems theory, PHP invites parents to consider first how they are responding when safety fears are raised – rather than focusing on the details of the self-harm and diagnoses.In this podcast Jenny Brown interviews leading Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist Dr Annemaree Bickerton about parenting when a child is self-harming. They cover some of these questions:What are the different ways parents might respond to a child's cutting?How can we make sense of young people's self-harm? What do you think it helps for parents to be aware of?How can parents contribute to a child's safety without removing their child's agency?What are your thoughts on helpful parent and young person conversations about suicide risks?Previous podcast with Annemaree Bickerton:https://parenthopeproject.com.au/podcasts/staying-connected-when-emotions-run-high/To watch the video mentioned – This is an excellent resource!https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r_B61YifyrMTo read about the safety first model https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/anzf.1055for more papers: https://www.researchgate.net/scientific-contributions/Annemaree-Bickerton-28411169Dr Bickerton is the co-developer of the training: STAYING CONNECTED WHEN EMOTIONS RUN HIGH.Upcoming Workshops:https://www.islhd.health.nsw.gov.au/services-clinics/family-and-carer-mental-health-program-0/staying-connected-when-emotions-run-highNewsletter-https://parenthopeproject.com.au/#newsletter Youtube-http://www.youtube.com/@ParentHopeProject Facebook-https://www.facebook.com/coachingparents Instagram-https://www.instagram.com/parenthopeproject/ LinkedIn-https://www.linkedin.com/company/79093727/admin/feed/posts/ Website-https://parenthopeproject.com.au/ Contact us: Contact@parentproject.com.au (02) 9904 5600

Goal setting – how parents setting applicable goals helps a family to functionIn this first episode of 2025, Jenny Brown interviews Philip Klever, a clinician and researcher from Kansas City in the USA. Philip describes his research and what it reveals about the variations in what goals parents set and together they explore how goal settings and principles are connected for parents. In the Parent Hope programs, parents are asked to consider their principles when deciding on their position. Jenny asks the question: how are principles and goals related and are applicable goals related to parents being aware of their job description? Philip Klever has conducted a remarkable 20-year study of 50 couples and their multigenerational families and has written 7 peer-reviewed journal articles about the study. https://www.linkedin.com/in/phillip-klever-8b360927/Researchhttps://www.researchgate.net/profile/Phillip-KleverKey articlehttps://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1752-0606.2009.00120.xNewsletter-https://parenthopeproject.com.au/#newsletter Youtube-http://www.youtube.com/@ParentHopeProject Facebook-https://www.facebook.com/coachingparents Instagram-https://www.instagram.com/parenthopeproject/ LinkedIn-https://www.linkedin.com/company/79093727/admin/feed/posts/ Website-https://parenthopeproject.com.au/ Contact us: Contact@parentproject.com.au (02) 9904 5600

In this rebroadcasted episode, from Season 2 Episode 7, Jenny is back in the hosting seat with guest Dan Papero.Dr Jenny Brown draws on Dan's rich experience as a Bowen family systems scholar, teacher and clinician. They explore how our families are both the seedbed for symptoms and a garden of recovery. They explore how parents can contribute to their family becoming a garden for the sustainable growth and flourishing of its members – including its children.This conversation builds on Dr Papero's keynote addresses at the 21st Family Systems Institute Conference. https://www.thefsi.com.au/About the Guest:Dan Papero is a senior faculty member from the Bowen Center for the Study of the Family in Washington, DC. Learn more about Dan's and his work here:https://www.thebowencenter.org/https://www.thebowencenter.org/faculty-bios/daniel-papero Newsletter-https://parenthopeproject.com.au/#newsletter Youtube-http://www.youtube.com/@ParentHopeProject Facebook-https://www.facebook.com/coachingparents Instagram-https://www.instagram.com/parenthopeproject/ LinkedIn-https://www.linkedin.com/company/79093727/admin/feed/posts/ Website-https://parenthopeproject.com.au/ Contact us: Contact@parentproject.com.au (02) 9904 5600

In this Rebroadcast of Season 2, Episode 5, the tables are turned! Michelle Varcoe, interviews Dr Jenny Brown to discuss:The importance of co-regulation in parenting.What is co-regulation?Are there potential pitfalls of focusing too much on co-regulation?Consider the role of self-regulation in parenting.Differentiation in Parenting: meaningful connection without invasion.To hear more about Michelle go to Season 2 Episode 4 or see links below.About Dr Jenny Brown:Dr Jenny Brown has over 35 years of clinical experience in child, couple, and family health. Her primary clinical and research interest has been in Child and adolescent mental health and parent's involvement in treatment. This has been reflected in her publications, conference and workshop presentations and her PhD research on parents' experience of their child's mental health treatment. The Parent Hope project has been developed from this critical research.Jenny's most recent book is Facilitating Parents' Agency in Child and Adolescent Mental Health: Helplessness to Hope – published by Cambridge Scholars.https://parenthopeproject.com.au/about-jenny-brownAbout Michelle Varcoe:Michelle is an Accredited Mental Health Social Worker who has worked across various Child and Adolescent Mental Health teams within NSW Health, and has extensive experience in supporting families who have a child/adolescent presenting with moderate-severe mental health issues https://thefsp.com.au/parent-programshttps://thefsp.com.au/michelle-varcoe/Newsletter-https://parenthopeproject.com.au/#newsletter Youtube-http://www.youtube.com/@ParentHopeProject Facebook-https://www.facebook.com/coachingparents Instagram-https://www.instagram.com/parenthopeproject/ LinkedIn-https://www.linkedin.com/company/79093727/admin/feed/posts/ Website-https://parenthopeproject.com.au/ Contact us: Contact@parentproject.com.au (02) 9904 5600

Recent studies have found that several of these programs not only failed to help young people but also made their mental health problems worse. Jenny shares some thoughts about this and links it to the Bowen family system ideas of how focusing on a problem in a person can actually project or amplify that problem. Note: some of the research quoted is discussed in this NY Time article by Darby Saxbe professor of psychology at the University of Southern Californiahttps://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/18/opinion/teenagers-mental-health-treatment.html#Here is an example of a study that Jenny refers to in this episode. The journal Behaviour Research and Therapy: Behaviour Research and Therapy  Volume 169, October 2023,  a study of 1,071 Australian teenagers who were observed from 2017 to 2018.Newsletter-https://parenthopeproject.com.au/#newsletterYoutube-http://www.youtube.com/@ParentHopeProjectFacebook-https://www.facebook.com/coachingparentsInstagram-https://www.instagram.com/parenthopeproject/LinkedIn-https://www.linkedin.com/company/79093727/admin/feed/posts/Website-https://parenthopeproject.com.au/Contact us:Contact@parentproject.com.au(02) 9904 5600Newsletter-https://parenthopeproject.com.au/#newsletter Youtube-http://www.youtube.com/@ParentHopeProject Facebook-https://www.facebook.com/coachingparents Instagram-https://www.instagram.com/parenthopeproject/ LinkedIn-https://www.linkedin.com/company/79093727/admin/feed/posts/ Website-https://parenthopeproject.com.au/ Contact us: Contact@parentproject.com.au (02) 9904 5600

Jenny reflects on parents' questions about why they would need to be involved in addressing a child's symptoms if it is from the child's genetics or brain wiring. Even when genetics plays a part, the research points to the important influence of the child's environment. Parents can impact the environment in many growth-enhancing ways – this is the basis of building parent hope.The book mentioned is: Hudson, J. L., & Rapee, R. M. (Eds.). (2005). Psychopathology and the family. Elsevier Science.  https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2005-15038-000Newsletter-https://parenthopeproject.com.au/#newsletterYoutube-http://www.youtube.com/@ParentHopeProjectFacebook-https://www.facebook.com/coachingparentsInstagram-https://www.instagram.com/parenthopeproject/LinkedIn-https://www.linkedin.com/company/79093727/admin/feed/posts/Website-https://parenthopeproject.com.au/Contact us:Contact@parentproject.com.au(02) 9904 5600Newsletter-https://parenthopeproject.com.au/#newsletter Youtube-http://www.youtube.com/@ParentHopeProject Facebook-https://www.facebook.com/coachingparents Instagram-https://www.instagram.com/parenthopeproject/ LinkedIn-https://www.linkedin.com/company/79093727/admin/feed/posts/ Website-https://parenthopeproject.com.au/ Contact us: Contact@parentproject.com.au (02) 9904 5600

Jenny shares some thoughts on how the way we respond to a concern is more impactful than just focusing on the content of the issue. We can research problems such as sleep or screen time issues, but all this information can add to a parent's intensity—considering the effects of our responses on our children is the place where progress and hope are built.Newsletter-https://parenthopeproject.com.au/#newsletterYoutube-http://www.youtube.com/@ParentHopeProjectFacebook-https://www.facebook.com/coachingparentsInstagram-https://www.instagram.com/parenthopeproject/LinkedIn-https://www.linkedin.com/company/79093727/admin/feed/posts/Website-https://parenthopeproject.com.au/Contact us:Contact@parentproject.com.au(02) 9904 5600Newsletter-https://parenthopeproject.com.au/#newsletter Youtube-http://www.youtube.com/@ParentHopeProject Facebook-https://www.facebook.com/coachingparents Instagram-https://www.instagram.com/parenthopeproject/ LinkedIn-https://www.linkedin.com/company/79093727/admin/feed/posts/ Website-https://parenthopeproject.com.au/ Contact us: Contact@parentproject.com.au (02) 9904 5600

In this episode, Jenny Brown delves deeper into Differentiation-Based Parenting, exploring how this approach extends beyond the parent-child relationship to include the dynamic between parenting partners.Grounded in Bowen family systems theory, Differentiation-Based Parenting shifts the focus from solely addressing children's needs and vulnerabilities to encouraging parents to develop greater self-awareness while maintaining a calm and connected presence with their children. By prioritising self-management, parents create emotional space that supports both their own growth and their children's, fostering mutual independence alongside a strong, loving bond.This approach helps parents recognise their emotional triggers and reactions, allowing them to respond thoughtfully rather than being overly swayed by their children's moods or behaviours. As a result, communication and problem-solving within the family improve, leading to a healthier, more balanced dynamic. Children benefit by developing emotional resilience, learning to navigate challenges independently, and growing into self-assured, capable individuals.Newsletter-https://parenthopeproject.com.au/#newsletter Youtube-http://www.youtube.com/@ParentHopeProject Facebook-https://www.facebook.com/coachingparents Instagram-https://www.instagram.com/parenthopeproject/ LinkedIn-https://www.linkedin.com/company/79093727/admin/feed/posts/ Website-https://parenthopeproject.com.au/ Contact us: Contact@parentproject.com.au (02) 9904 5600

In this episode, Jenny Brown introduces a title for the Parent Hope Project's parenting approach. Part one of this series asks the question: Is this just another parenting style with a whole lot of techniques?Part two will explore what this approach looks like beyond the parent-child relationship, extending into the parenting partnership.Differentiation-Based Parenting, rooted in Bowen family systems theory, emphasises the value of parents becoming more self-aware while maintaining a non-anxious connection with their children. Unlike most parenting approaches, which focus primarily on children's needs and vulnerabilities, this approach encourages parents to cultivate emotional space by focusing on managing themselves.This allows both the parents and their children to develop independently while simultaneously fostering a loving relationship. By recognising their own emotional triggers and responses, parents can avoid being overly influenced by their children's moods and behaviours, promoting clearer communication and problem-solving. This parenting stance supports a healthier family dynamic, enabling children to grow as unique individuals who can learn to manage their emotions and challenges, ultimately leading to more resilient and independent young people.Newsletter-https://parenthopeproject.com.au/#newsletter Youtube-http://www.youtube.com/@ParentHopeProject Facebook-https://www.facebook.com/coachingparents Instagram-https://www.instagram.com/parenthopeproject/ LinkedIn-https://www.linkedin.com/company/79093727/admin/feed/posts/ Website-https://parenthopeproject.com.au/ Contact us: Contact@parentproject.com.au (02) 9904 5600

In this episode of the podcast, Dr Jenny Brown sits down with Clinical Psychologists Ahmed Tohamy and Samantha Pilcher to explore the challenges of school avoidance and how families can support children in re-engaging with education. Ahmed, who recently spoke at the sold-out School-Link Forum Day Event in Illawarra and Shoalhaven, NSW, shares his experience piloting the Parent Hope Project, a family-based intervention aimed at addressing school refusal. Samantha brings valuable insights from her extensive work with families, providing a rich discussion on the emotional and practical challenges parents face in helping their children re-engage with school life.Join Jenny, Samantha, and Ahmed as they discuss the Bowen Family Systems approach, focusing on how parents can build their children's capacities to overcome school avoidance, while diving into clinical approaches, family dynamics, and practical solutions for one of the toughest challenges in child and adolescent mental health.About the Guest: Ahmed TohamyAhmed is a clinical psychologist with extensive experience working with complex children, adolescents, young adults and their families in public mental health, child protection and school settings. He also has experience in the private sector across a variety of issues. He has a special interest in Schema Therapy and Bowen Family Systems Theory.https://www.sppsych.com.au/  https://www.linkedin.com/in/ahmed-tohamy-57a4a270. About the Guest: Samatha PilcherSamatha is a clinical psychologist who works in private practice and public child and family mental health.https://www.linkedin.com/in/samantha-pilcher-992416177/To see our training for mental health professionals: https://parenthopeproject.com.au/parent-project-programs/To see our schools packages: https://parenthopeproject.com.au/schools-courses/Newsletter-https://parenthopeproject.com.au/#newsletter Youtube-http://www.youtube.com/@ParentHopeProject Facebook-https://www.facebook.com/coachingparents Instagram-https://www.instagram.com/parenthopeproject/ LinkedIn-https://www.linkedin.com/company/79093727/admin/feed/posts/ Website-https://parenthopeproject.com.au/ Contact us: Contact@parentproject.com.au (02) 9904 5600

In this Episode Jenny is back in the hosting seat with guest Dan Papero. Dr Jenny Brown draws on Dan's rich experience as a Bowen family systems scholar, teacher and clinician. They explore how our families are both the seedbed for symptoms and a garden of recovery. They explore how parents can contribute to their family becoming a garden for the sustainable growth and flourishing of its members - including its children. This conversation builds on Dr Papero's keynote addresses at the 21st Family Systems Institute Conference. https://www.thefsi.com.au/ About the Guest:Dan Papero is a senior faculty member from the Bowen Center for the Study of the Family in Washington, DC. Learn more about Dan's and his work here:https://www.thebowencenter.org/ https://www.thebowencenter.org/faculty-bios/daniel-papero Newsletter-https://parenthopeproject.com.au/#newsletter Youtube-http://www.youtube.com/@ParentHopeProject Facebook-https://www.facebook.com/coachingparents Instagram-https://www.instagram.com/parenthopeproject/ LinkedIn-https://www.linkedin.com/company/79093727/admin/feed/posts/ Website-https://parenthopeproject.com.au/ Contact us: Contact@parentproject.com.au (02) 9904 5600

In this episode, the tables are turned again as Vicki Wilkins, the Parent Hope Project Professional Programs Coordinator, interviews Dr. Jenny Brown. They discuss the topic of limit setting and responding to children's misbehaviour.Does the family systems approach recognise that parenting involves responding to children's misbehaviours?  This question seems to come up so much at parent events and in our parents' hope for professional training –  It speaks to parent uncertainty about what their leadership involves with so much conflicting advice out there.Guest Host-Vicki WilkinsVicki Wilkins is a mother of three primary age children, a Psychologist & one of the valued members of the Team at the Parent Hope Project.Interviewee & Regular Host of the Parent Hope Podcast- Dr Jenny BrownDr Jenny Brown has worked in child, couple, and family health since the 1980s, focusing on child and adolescent mental health and the crucial role of parental involvement in treatment. Throughout her career, Jenny has observed and researched how easily parents can lose confidence in their strengths and wisdom, often stepping aside to let experts address concerns about their children. Her extensive clinical and research work based on Bowen family systems led to a profound realisation: children do best when their parents and carers have self-awareness and clarity in their roles rather than just trying to fix their child.   Driven by this insight, Jenny developed the Parent Hope Project. The project reflects her commitment to empowering parents, enabling them to effectively nurture their children's mental health. This approach is grounded in her depth of understanding of family therapy, particularly Dr Murray Bowen's family systems theory.  Episode Links: https://www.amazon.com/Parenting-Clarity-Caregivers-Supporters-Flourishing/dp/0648578542?ref_=ast_author_dp https://parenthopeproject.com.au/when-tantrums-are-also-disobedience/ Newsletter-https://parenthopeproject.com.au/#newsletter Youtube-http://www.youtube.com/@ParentHopeProject Facebook-https://www.facebook.com/coachingparents Instagram-https://www.instagram.com/parenthopeproject/ LinkedIn-https://www.linkedin.com/company/79093727/admin/feed/posts/ Website-https://parenthopeproject.com.au/ Contact us: Contact@parentproject.com.au (02) 9904 5600

In this episode the tables are turned! Last week's guest, Michelle Varcoe, interviews Dr Jenny Brown to discuss:The importance of co-regulation in parenting.What is co-regulation?Are there potential pitfalls of focusing too much on co-regulation?Consider the role of self-regulation in parenting.Differentiation in Parenting: meaningful connection without invasion.To hear more about Michelle go to Season 2 Episode 4 or see links below.About Dr Jenny Brown:Dr Jenny Brown has over 35 years of clinical experience in child, couple, and family health. Her primary clinical and research interest has been in Child and adolescent mental health and parent's involvement in treatment. This has been reflected in her publications, conference and workshop presentations and her PhD research on parents' experience of their child's mental health treatment. The Parent Hope project has been developed from this critical research.Jenny's most recent book is Facilitating Parents' Agency in Child and Adolescent Mental Health: Helplessness to Hope – published by Cambridge Scholars.https://parenthopeproject.com.au/about-jenny-brown/About Michelle Varcoe:Michelle is an Accredited Mental Health Social Worker who has worked across various Child and Adolescent Mental Health teams within NSW Health, and has extensive experience in supporting families who have a child/adolescent presenting with moderate-severe mental health issues https://thefsp.com.au/parent-programs/https://thefsp.com.au/michelle-varcoe/Parent Hope Project:Newsletter-https://parenthopeproject.com.au/#newsletterYoutube-http://www.youtube.com/@ParentHopeProjectFacebook-https://www.facebook.com/coachingparentsInstagram-https://www.instagram.com/parenthopeproject/LinkedIn-https://www.linkedin.com/company/79093727/admin/feed/posts/Website-https://parenthopeproject.com.au/Contact us:Contact@parentproject.com.au(02) 9904 5600

In this Episode Jenny and Guest Michelle Varcoe discuss tantrums, sleep issues and exhaustion - staying steady (enough) during the early parenting years.Michelle brings her insight into what she sees as the main challenges in trying to stay steady in these very intense, exhausting parenting years. Michelle Varcoe is a mother who is just coming up for air from the early parenting years. She is a seasoned mental health clinician, one of the specialist Parent counsellors at the Parent Hope Clinic in Sydney https://thefsp.com.au/parent-programs/. She is particularly aware of the unique role that parents/carers play in the support of a young person, but also the unique anxieties and concerns that are inherent in the demanding role of parenting. She has seen how these anxieties increase alongside the concern for a young person who is deeply struggling with their mental health. As such, she is committed to working with parents in a non-judgemental, empathic approach that supports parents' self-efficacy and resourcefulness as they continue the enriching challenges of parenthood.  Michelle is committed to the learning process, maintaining curiosity and continuous thinking, and is currently studying the Advanced Certificate of Couple and Family Systems Therapy through the Family Systems Institute (due to complete in 2024). She has also presented her thinking around application of theory to practice at conferences alongside her colleagues.   Guest Bio:Michelle is an Accredited Mental Health Social Worker who has worked across various Child and Adolescent Mental Health teams within NSW Health, and has extensive experience in supporting families who have a child/adolescent presenting with moderate-severe mental health issues. https://thefsp.com.au/parent-programs/https://thefsp.com.au/michelle-varcoe/Parent Hope Project Links:Newsletter-https://parenthopeproject.com.au/#newsletterYoutube-http://www.youtube.com/@ParentHopeProjectFacebook-https://www.facebook.com/coachingparentsInstagram-https://www.instagram.com/parenthopeproject/LinkedIn-https://www.linkedin.com/company/79093727/admin/feed/posts/Website-https://parenthopeproject.com.au/Contact us: Contact@parentproject.com.au (02) 9904 5600

In today's episode, Jenny will discuss Marriage and Parenting with a seasoned family therapist, author, Father and Husband, Arum Nadigel. With a special emphasis on Dads, they will explore what it takes to keep a marriage intact through the stresses and strains of the parenting years?  They discuss big questions Like:  What are the main stressors that parenting puts on a marriage?  Are there particular stressors in today's stress-laden climate (dual income stress – living away from extended family support)  years?  How do parents and spouses figure out how to do marriage and relationships? Do we need maps and role models?  Finishing with some hopeful examples of marriages getting back on track and even thriving during the parenting years. Speaker Bio:Avrum Nadigel, B.Comm, MSW is a family and relationship therapist with over twenty years of clinical experience. He is the author of three books, the most recent was co-authored with the late Dr. David Freeman entitled: “Where Would You Like To Start: A master therapist on beginning psychotherapy with families.” Avrum co-produced three podcasts combining Family Systems theory and pop culture. He is also an urban sketcher and guitarist and songwriter.Website: https://nadigel.com/Books:https://www.amazon.ca/Books-Avrum-Nadigel/srh=n%3A916520%2Cp_27%3AAvrum+Nadigelhttps://www.amazon.com.au/Takes-More-Than-Love-workbook/dp/0995987009

In this episode we will discuss an important finding from Bowen family systems theory: parents can detour our troubles onto our children. This is described as parents projecting the worry onto the offspring. Dr Carrie Collier will help us to think about this issue and address our build up of worry about children. How to make sense of the way issues in broader family relationships can increase a worry focus on children.How issues with our siblings, cut-offs with parents, or the death of a parent/grandparent can play out in our parenting.How a narrow focus on parenting techniques misses these important family issues.Hear more from Dr Carrie Collier:Finding a Self in Parenting: When a parent is concerned about a child, it's easy for anxiety to take over. An anxious focus on a child can make it difficult for a parent to access their best thinking, or to observe the larger family system and their role in it. In this edition of Family Matters, Dr. Carrie Collier shares her thoughts about how a parent can begin to take responsibility for their emotional reactivity in response to a parenting challenge. She discusses what it takes to shift one's focus from solving a child's dilemma to managing oneself in the midst of chaos. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NpOaOFnHOqEhttps://www.thebowencenter.org/faculty-bios/carrie-collierhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NpOaOFnHOqEhttps://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/anzf.1491

In this Episode of the Parent Hope Podcast Jenny Brown  explores  “How parents can partner with schools to increase student and family confidence” with Robin Shultz.What makes for a positive partnership between parents and schools?What can get in the way of this?How can parents best deal with worries about how their child is doing at school?Robin Shultz BioRobyn is a retired school social worker with 20 years of experience working in schools in the Chicago area. Now a private practice owner of New Legends Counselling, Coaching and Consulting, LLC Geneva, Illinois, United States.Marriage and Family Therapy (LMFT), Clinical Social Work, (DSW, LCSW), Licensed School Social Worker (Type 73), Certified Alcohol and Other Drug Counselor (CADC), Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) with specializations in Outdoor Experiential Education and Behavioral Health.Links:Shultz, R. (2020). The current state of children's mental health in schools: The need for expanded thinking: Family Systems: A Journal of Natural Systems Thinking in Psychiatry and the Sciences, 15, (1), 49-55.https://www.researchgate.net/publication/370553454_THE_CURRENT_STATE_OF_CHILDREN'S_MENTAL_HEALTH_IN_SCHOOLS_THE_NEED_FOR_EXPANDED_THINKINGShultz, R. (2022). Using Bowen family systems theory concepts to explore how adult interaction patterns may influence student functioning. Family Systems: A Journal of Natural Systems Thinking in Psychiatry and the Sciences, 16, (2), 133-156.https://www.researchgate.net/publication/370553459_USING_BOWEN_FAMILY_SYSTEMS_THEORY_CONCEPTS_TORobin Shultz, DSW, LCSW, LMFT, CADC, CTRSRobin's research papers:https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Robin-Shultz-2https://www.linkedin.com/in/robin-shultz-dsw-lcsw-lmft-cadc-ctrs-b7839019/

The Summer Theme - Parents promoting responsible, age-appropriate independence & avoiding futile power struggles. These themes are relevant, whatever the age of your child.  Adolescents present unique challenges for parents. For example, the reactive push for independence can be triggering for parents. In this podcast, Jenny reveals how parent efforts to correct behaviours can inadvertently reinforce a conflict cycle that can fuel a teen's physiological reward system: (sensation seeking). An overview of adolescent brain development makes sense of this reward system. More description here: https://parenthopeproject.com.au/podcasts/adolescents-independence-on-steroids/Links1. Sensation seeking: Steinberg L. A Social Neuroscience Perspective on Adolescent Risk-Taking. Dev Rev. 2008 Mar;28(1):78-106. doi: 10.1016/j.dr.2007.08.002. PMID: 18509515; PMCID: PMC2396566.2. Flexibility in parenting interactions: Branje, S. (2018), Development of Parent–Adolescent Relationships: Conflict Interactions as a Mechanism of Change. Child Dev Perspect, 12: 171-176. https://doi.org/10.1111/cdep.122783. Understanding teenage brain development:https://raisingchildren.net.au/pre-teens/development/understanding-your-pre-teen/brain-development-teenshttps://www.startingblocks.gov.au/other-resources/factsheets/brain-development-in-childrenQuestions:contact@parenthopeproject.com.au

The Summer Theme - Parents promoting responsible, age-appropriate independence & avoiding futile power struggles. These themes are relevant, whatever the age of your child. Enjoy this rebroadcast of “Toddler in meltdown- The first push for independence”With toddlers the challenge is managing our responses to their huge learning spurt and push towards independence. This podcast describes 2 different parent toddler interactions involving a toddler not getting what they want. What is in a parent's control to contribute to a toddler's increased capacity to delay gratification?Research links mentioned in podcastLuo, Y., Pattanakul, D. Infant expectations of instant or delayed gratification. Sci Rep 10, 19081 (2020).https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-020-76136-9The Stanford marshmallow experiment- a study on delayed gratification in 1972 led by psychologist Walter Mischelhttps://www.simplypsychology.org/marshmallow-test.html

In this episode, we will discuss parenting courses with a family skills community educator. We'll explore what parents get out of carving out time for parenting courses – and are all parenting courses the same?         How can parents get a confidence boost from accessing a parenting course?  Steve will share about differences in parent courses. He will provide examples of what parents have found most helpful and most challenging. And some tips for facilitating a parenting course in a way that helps parents develop their own insights relevant to their unique family. Stephen Dinning  Family and Life Skills Educator at Anglicare Steve has a background in social work and parish ministry. As part of Anglicare's Family & Life Skills Education Team he runs courses and seminars in parenting, family life and relating with others. He's also on Anglicare's Southern Counselling Team. We would love to hear your feedback and suggestions.contact@parenthopeproject.com.auNew resource on the Parent Hope Project website https://parenthopeproject.com.au/“ Parenting that Promotes Flourishing Children” for parents and their helpers, https://parenthopeproject.com.au/free-parent-course/Like, Subscribe, Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Youtube, Linkedin, spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts.This is the last episode for 2023, Thanks for listening, we'll be back in the new year.

Join Jenny as she asks Marie Vakakis what she has learned from her  young clients about their relationships with their parents.Parents connecting with their adolescents will explore questions like: How can parents best connect with a seemingly shut-off teen and How not to be intimidated or overwhelmed by the dramatic tech revolution – do parents really need to be up on the latest technology to connect with their teens?About Marie VakakisThe Therapy Hub: https://thetherapyhub.com.au/about-us/QualificationsBachelor of Arts (majoring in psychology), Monash UniversityMasters of Social Work (additional research year/ thesis) The University of MelbourneGraduate Diploma of Youth and Adolescent Mental Health , The University of MelbourneMasters of Family Therapy, LaTrobe UniversityMember of the Australian Association of social workersAccredited Mental Health Social WorkerAccredited ‘Tuning Into Teens' Parenting Program FacilitatorCompleted level 1 Gottman Method Couples trainingAccredited Youth Mental Health First Aid InstructorAccredited Standard Mental Health First Aid Instructor

In this Episode of the Parent Hope Podcast Jenny Brown  explores Grandparenting with Selden Dunbar Illick. They discuss what makes for flourishing “grandparenting relationships”, with adult children, in-laws, grandchildren and the grandparenting partner if relevant). With a Family Systems Lens in view they discuss the common pitfalls in these relationships, for example triangles. They will also discuss the value of working on self. 

In this episode Jenny talks with Dr Linda Mackay on parenting with a backdrop of trauma and adversity and how this affects building confidence in parenting.Linda MacKay is an accredited psychotherapist & counsellor, who practices in Mudgee, Blaxland and offers online sessions. She is also a lecturer, trainer, and supervisor, with degrees and qualifications in counselling, couple and family therapy and her PhD in critical psychology (UWS). Linda lectures at undergraduate and postgraduate level at the University of Notre Dame, counsels private individuals, and coaches business executives who wish to optimize their performance as leaders. She is also a clinical member of PACFA & Accredited Supervisor for AAFT. She has extensive experience working with individuals, couples and families, and has specialised in working with people who have suffered grief and loss, and complex trauma issues including child sexual abuse, domestic violence, dissociation and self-harm. She incorporates the Parent Hope Project in her work.  *We apologise for any audio that may be difficult to hear.  

This podcast explores a common tension between parents about how each responds to a struggling child. One parent reacts with more nurturing and the other with more firmness. Each feels critical about the other's management of one of their children.  Amber McPherson, Programs Coordinator at the Parent Hope Project interviews Dr Jenny Brown about parent-style tensions. Jenny has a recently published article on this topic: Making Sense of the Parenting 'Soft/Hard Split'   Jenny also interviews a mother and father about their experiences of these tensions and how they have changed the way they respond to each other.  Jenny's article with a video  https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/anzf.1533 To explore our online affordable parenting courses, coaching and resources. https://parenthopeproject.com.au/Support for parents and carers online/delivered face to face through schools, churches, community groups and mental health workers.Training available for mental health workers, and those wanting to support parents 1:1 or in groups. Psychoeducation: Learn to facilitate parent groups face to face or online doing our Confident parent Course.Clinical Intervention: Become a Parent coach, intensive 4 month professional development, using our research based manualized program. 

In this episode Jenny discusses with Dr Kathleen Smith the challenges and opportunities for parents managing fears and anxieties.What are the challenges of managing anxiety about our kids? What are the opportunities and benefits of parents working on managing their fears? Kathleen Smith is a licensed therapist and mental health writer who lives in Washington, DC. She has written for popular publications such as Slate, Salon, New York Magazine, Lifehacker, Bustle, and Counseling Today, among many others. She is an associate faculty member at the Bowen Center for the Study of the Family and hosts the show Family Matters, a production of the University of the District of Columbia.Resources:https://www.amazon.com/Everything-Isnt-Terrible-Insecurities-Interrupt/dp/0316492531https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B01HYP9SJ2/about

In this episode, Jenny Brown will be in discussion with Lauren Errington sharing stories of working with parents who are worried about 1 or more of their children.Lauren is the Executive Director of the Family Systems Institute Sydney. She also lectures at Charles Sturt University and has a clinical practice at the Family Systems Practice Network.The stories shared will reveal what parents gain from observing their interactions – Lauren and Jenny will reflect on learning to observe themselves in their own families.Links:https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/anzf.1481https://www.thefsi.com.au

In this episode, Jenny Brown interviews renowned Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist Dr Annemaree Bickerton about her work supporting parents managing their child or adolescent's strong, and often dangerous, emotions and behaviours. Listen to how parents can be a lighthouse for children in stormy times. They listen rather than fix and allow the child to learn to surf the challenging waves of life.To find out about the Staying Connected Courses: https://www.islhd.health.nsw.gov.au/services-clinics/family-and-carer-mental-health-program-0/staying-connected-when-emotions-run-highTo watch the video mentioned – This is an excellent resource!https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r_B61YifyrMTo read about the safety first model https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/anzf.1055

In this podcast, Jenny Brown interviews Susy Lee, prize-winning author, speaker, and educator. They discuss Susy's prize-winning book 'Raising Kids Who Care: Practical Conversations for Exploring Stuff That Matters, Together'. Susy writes:'In our complex world, we need to be aware of looming pitfalls and be intentional in helping kids navigate their way to compassion and wonder, driven by values and purpose.'  This path of conversations leads to amazing hope.In this conversation, Jenny explores Susy's thoughts on how parents can influence the development of a kind and caring child without making a change project out of the child.Susy writes that 'children primarily learn ethical behaviour by watching their parents.' Jenny asks her what she thinks is the impact of what parents care about and how they live out. 

Parenting doesn't end when a child leaves school. In fact, parenting can become even more complex with young adults, especially if they are struggling to manage adult responsibilities. In this podcast, Dr Jenny Brown talks about ways parents can be a resource to a young adult child who is navigating an increasingly complicated and demanding life transition. Using a case example, she highlights the value of parents staying connected but not over-invested in their adult child. Creating space for building independence and pulling back from accommodating a child's under-functioning is critical. This can be challenging to shift for the parent as it is for the young adult child; hence, parents need to own the adjustments they choose to make and not just follow the advice and opinions of others.Some helpful family systems links on the topic:When Your Young Adult with “Failure to Launch” Won't Get Help: Survival Tips for Parents Who Aren't Done Parentinghttps://www.rtor.org/2017/10/24/failure-to-launch-part-4/Young Adults Leaving Home – you tube interviewshttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8v4mkHeu--Yhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eya61VCm82ghttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jGYmxUblcD4

In this podcast, Jenny Brown explores the challenges of parenting Special Needs children – neurodiverse kids or children with a biological impairment of some kind. She interviews Nicole Clarke, who is both a mother of a child with Autism and a school counsellor. It is helpful to consider if the same principles of working on the parent rather than the child apply to special needs kids. A systems view suggests that any added stress and anxiety can be relieved by a parent by making a more intense project out of finding help and treatments for a child. Yet, at the same time, this extra focus on the child can reduce the child's development capacities. The child becomes attuned to a parent's increasing involvement which can trigger more dysregulation. It is so very hard for parents of children who appear to be neurologically different in their capacities to socialise, empathise and control behaviours, not to get swept along by the pull to add multiple treatments to the child's life. Nicole speaks of the value of working to be less intense as a parent despite the extra challenges. She talks about the treatments focus on getting your child to be different as opposed to accepting who they are and reducing fear about the future. 

Adolescents present unique challenges for parents. For example, the reactive push for independence can be triggering for parents. In this podcast, Jenny reveals how parent efforts to correct behaviours can inadvertently reinforce a conflict cycle that can fuel a teen's physiological reward system: (sensation seeking). An overview of adolescent brain development makes sense of this reward system. The podcast invites parents to consider two typical cycles of interaction: Escalating fighting with a teen, with a parent staying stuck in the conflict, believing that if they "lose", they are a poor parent leader. The other is the cycle of escalating rescuing, and accommodating. Jenny presents ways parents can disengage from these unhelpful cycles. The parent's effort is to contribute to an environment that enhances the teen's development of thoughtful self-responsibility rather than trying to correct their behaviours, thereby giving them more fuel to react to. The perspective of family systems thinking is not about changing an individual but changing the emotional/relational environment in the family. The good news is that It takes just one parent to adjust themselves in ways that reduce the intensity in their relationships. More constructive than convincing an adolescent to change in the short term.LinksSensation seeking: Steinberg L. A Social Neuroscience Perspective on Adolescent Risk-Taking. Dev Rev. 2008 Mar;28(1):78-106. doi: 10.1016/j.dr.2007.08.002. PMID: 18509515; PMCID: PMC2396566.Flexibility in parenting interactions: Branje, S. (2018), Development of Parent–Adolescent Relationships: Conflict Interactions as a Mechanism of Change. Child Dev Perspect, 12: 171-176. https://doi.org/10.1111/cdep.12278Understanding teenage brain development:https://raisingchildren.net.au/pre-teens/development/understanding-your-pre-teen/brain-development-teenshttps://www.startingblocks.gov.au/other-resources/factsheets/brain-development-in-children

In this podcast, Jenny talks about the pre-teenage phase, parents' worries about school performance, and the impacts of excessive screen time. How can parents respond to these issues without an anxious worry focus? What is the effect of parents representing themselves to their children instead of trying to fix or change their children? You will hear an example of busy working parents of an 11-year-old who is falling behind at school. Their interactions in reaction to their worries provide clues about what is and isn't helpful in their parenting responses. Some research findings around helping children with language development reveal that children can learn to love learning if parents are curious about the process of their activities rather than fixating on quick results. When adults sit alongside their child and speak less…. the child begins to speak more. There is also some discussion of parents' responses to the vexed issue of screen time. There are guidelines to be found for parents about what is and isn't healthy for children's use of devices. However, parents are cautioned about pushing their child into an ideal, thereby escalating non-constructive tensions. Podcast notes: Dr Susan Colmar's research  University of Sydney Faculty of Education & Social Work. A parent-based book-reading intervention for disadvantaged children with language difficulties https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/0265659013507296Screen time guidelineshttps://aifs.gov.au/resources/short-articles/too-much-time-screens-screen-time-effects-and-guidelines-children-andScreen Use appshttps://www.verywellfamily.com/best-parental-control-apps-4779963#toc-best-for-budget-google-family-linkhttps://families.google/familylink/Safety issues and children's screen use – online child groominghttps://www.safeonsocial.com/post/online-child-grooming-my-personal-experience

Today's podcast discusses parenting in the early school years. In particular, how parent's managed themselves with a shy child. The interactions presented highlight a child's separation anxiety in the context of reluctance to attend school. The fist interaction reveals the familiar worry cycle parents easily find themselves in. The more the parents focus on her worry about the child not coping at school, the more she focuses on rescuing her son. The child participates in this worry cycle with increasingly dependent reactions. The second interaction presents a calmer parent who focuses on what they bring to the exchange. The podcast explores the topic of children's temperament and the effect on parent protectiveness. Also explored is some fascinating research from animal and human studies on the value of regular exposure to stress.The message for parents is that parent separation anxiety can be just as natural as a child's separation anxiety. The good news is that it is within the parent's control to address their sensitivities to their child, to tolerate their child's exposure to appropriate life stress and, in turn to promote their child's stress management for life. Research links:Kagans Inhibited and Uninhibited Temperamentshttps://www.euroformhealthcare.biz/temperament-traits/kagans-inhibited-and-uninhibited-temperaments.htmlExposure to frequent separations.Lyons DM, Parker KJ, Schatzberg AF. Animal models of early life stress: implications for understanding resilience. Dev Psychobiol. 2010 Nov;52(7):616-24. doi: 10.1002/dev.20500. PMID: 20957724; PMCID: PMC6716163.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6716163/

In this series Dr Jenny Brown conveys how each phase of a child's development presents parents with opportunities to step back and consider their part in interactions – to see what is helping to promote gradual independence and self-regulation rather than unintentionally fuelling reactivity or dependence. With toddlers the challenge is managing our responses to their huge learning spurt and push towards independence. This podcast describes 2 different parent toddler interactions involving a toddler not getting what they want. What is in a parent's control to contribute to a toddler's increased capacity to delay gratification?Research links mentioned in podcastLuo, Y., Pattanakul, D. Infant expectations of instant or delayed gratification. Sci Rep 10, 19081 (2020).https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-020-76136-9The Stanford marshmallow experiment- a study on delayed gratification in 1972 led by psychologist Walter Mischelhttps://www.simplypsychology.org/marshmallow-test.html