About parenting
Browse therapists who list parenting as a specialty to find professionals focused on family and child-related concerns. Use the listings below to compare approaches, credentials, languages and experience that match your needs.
What to compare in entries
| Credentials | A US state licence, or membership of a professional body such as BACP or NCPS. They are different kinds of thing; each profile shows what was supplied. |
|---|---|
| Focus | Whether parenting is listed as a main focus or among the wider list of areas. Entries show both. |
| Way of working | The approaches named on the entry. Two people working with the same concern can describe very different sessions. |
| Time in practice | Years in practice, as supplied. A fact to weigh, not a ranking. |
| Language | The languages sessions can be held in, where that matters to you. |
Common questions
How were these entries chosen?
Everyone listed on this page has parenting among the areas they told the platform they work with. They are not ranked, rated or endorsed by this directory, and the order is not a recommendation.
Do I need a referral to start?
No. You can contact a therapist through their entry directly. A GP referral is not required for independent online therapy.
What if the first therapist is not right?
Changing therapist is normal and expected, and can be done at any point. One session is a small sample of how someone works.
Entries for parenting
Savithri (Savi) Jayaweera, NCPS
Ref 151058
Compassionate counsellor for complex life challenges
Works with: Parenting, Stress, Anxiety, Relationship Languages: English, Hindi, Sinhala
View listingAngela Teasdale, NCPS
Ref 119622
Supportive counsellor focusing on practical change
Works with: Parenting, Stress, Anxiety, Addictions Languages: English
View listingCarmen Chaney, LIMHP
Ref 48397
Therapist blending practical skills and compassion
Works with: Parenting, Stress, Anxiety, Family Languages: English
View listingEleanor Dillon, NCPS
Ref 236009
Compassionate counselling for everyday struggles
Works with: Parenting, Stress, Anxiety, Self esteem Languages: English
View listingSheira Byrne, BACP, NCPS
Ref 182668
Practical, compassionate support for overwhelming problems
Works with: Parenting, Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse Languages: English
View listingJoanne Maddison, BACP
Ref 276861
Compassionate counsellor blending insight and practical tools
Works with: Parenting, Stress, Anxiety, Grief Languages: English
View listingJames French, BACP
Ref 203032
Practical support for anxiety and life transitions
Works with: Parenting, Stress, Anxiety, Relationship Languages: English
View listingDr. Paula Alvarez, LCSW
Ref 29756
Compassionate clinical social worker with practical tools
Works with: Parenting, Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse Languages: English
View listingDavid Potts, LCSW
Ref 23255
Practical, compassionate therapy for life changes
Works with: Parenting, Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse Languages: English
View listingNicola Claydon, NCPS
Ref 183763
Calm, practical support for complex life issues
Works with: Parenting, Relationship, Trauma and abuse Languages: English
View listingPamela Benoit, NCPS, BACP
Ref 180577
Compassionate practical psychotherapy
Works with: Parenting, Relationship, Self esteem Languages: English
View listingRichard Gordon-Smith , NCPS
Ref 120083
Straightforward, experienced counsellor for complex issues
Works with: Parenting, Stress, Anxiety, Relationship Languages: English
View listingAnnette OBryant, LPC
Ref 77726
Compassionate counselor focused on practical change
Works with: Parenting, Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse Languages: English
View listingVictoria Postles, BACP
Ref 164179
Practical, person-led counselling for everyday struggles
Works with: Parenting, Stress, Anxiety, Grief Languages: English
View listingWellington Cesar Assis Bueno, BACP
Ref 226813
Healing emotions, building clearer choices
Works with: Parenting, Stress, Anxiety, LGBT Languages: English, Portuguese
View listingKizzie Wells-Daniels, LPC
Ref 67515
Therapist for stress, parenting, and life changes
Works with: Parenting, Stress, Anxiety, Anger Languages: English
View listingRebecca "Becca" Mather, BACP
Ref 236007
Compassionate, practical support for life’s pressures
Works with: Parenting, Stress, Anxiety, Relationship Languages: English
View listingJennifer Lee Sylvester, LCSW
Ref 116075
Experienced LCSW offering respectful, practical care
Works with: Parenting, Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse Languages: English
View listingSara Lowe, LPC
Ref 104527
Practical, compassionate therapy for life changes
Works with: Parenting, Stress, Anxiety, Self esteem Languages: English
View listingMichael Pfisterer, LCSW
Ref 6636
Practical goal-focused therapy
Works with: Parenting, Stress, Anxiety, Depression Languages: English
View listingSara Deal, BACP
Ref 175917
Person-centred counsellor for everyday struggles
Works with: Parenting, Stress, Anxiety, Relationship Languages: English
View listingAlexandra Matustik, LMFT
Ref 350108
Compassionate therapist for life transitions
Works with: Parenting, Relationship, Trauma and abuse Languages: English
View listingJade Round, BACP
Ref 180505
Practical, person-focused therapy for life challenges
Works with: Parenting, Stress, Anxiety, Relationship Languages: English
View listingDestiny York, LPC
Ref 340789
Compassionate, practical counseling for life changes
Works with: Parenting, Addictions, LGBT Languages: English
View listingSarah Anderson, NCPS
Ref 133882
Practical support for stress and life changes
Works with: Parenting, Stress, Anxiety, LGBT Languages: English
View listingCecile Terrelonge, BACP
Ref 134582
Person-centred counsellor offering practical support
Works with: Parenting, Stress, Anxiety, LGBT Languages: English
View listingJoshua Plantz, LMHC
Ref 10378
Practical, goal-focused counseling for life challenges
Works with: Parenting, Stress, Anxiety, Addictions Languages: English
View listingMichael Witham, LPC
Ref 56161
Practical, person-focused counseling for daily struggles
Works with: Parenting, Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse Languages: English
View listingMaryrobin Smelzer, LCMHC
Ref 342370
Compassionate guidance for practical change
Works with: Parenting, Stress, Anxiety, Addictions Languages: English
View listingDiane Silvestri Wade, LCSW-R
Ref 206236
Compassionate, practical support for life challenges
Works with: Parenting, Stress, Anxiety, Family Languages: English
View listingRev. Catherine Bogue, LCSW
Ref 168255
Compassionate guidance for life’s hard changes
Works with: Parenting, Stress, Anxiety, Addictions Languages: English
View listingDianna Wheeler, LPC
Ref 354614
Practical support for healing and stronger coping skills
Works with: Parenting, Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse Languages: English
View listingJohn Swearengin, LPC
Ref 93490
Practical support for stress, addiction, and mood
Works with: Parenting, Addictions, Trauma and abuse Languages: English
View listingKamilah Matthew, LCSW
Ref 346090
Compassionate, practical therapy for life challenges
Works with: Parenting, Stress, Anxiety, Relationship Languages: English
View listingClaudia Santiago, LCSW
Ref 149793
Practical, collaborative therapy for everyday struggles
Works with: Parenting, Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse Languages: English, Spanish
View listingDr. Yael Banai, LPC
Ref 120836
Experienced counselor with a calm style
Works with: Parenting, Stress, Anxiety, Career Languages: English
View listingRobert Skuy, LCSW
Ref 53066
Practical, compassionate therapy for everyday struggles
Works with: Parenting, Stress, Anxiety, Family Languages: English
View listingAndrea Antrobus, BACP
Ref 121857
Warm counsellor blending practical therapy and listening
Works with: Parenting, Stress, Anxiety, Relationship Languages: English
View listingMaria Wilson, LCSW
Ref 138055
Understanding, practical support for everyday struggles
Works with: Parenting, Stress, Anxiety, Relationship Languages: English
View listingDr. Robert Nolan, LMHC
Ref 15781
Steady, practical counseling for real-life struggles
Works with: Parenting, Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse Languages: English
View listingJulie Fraser, BACP
Ref 160259
Practical support for stress and trauma
Works with: Parenting, Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse Languages: English
View listingColette Mattos, BACP
Ref 138095
Relationship and self-esteem focused counsellor
Works with: Parenting, Relationship, Family Languages: English
View listingJoanna Bienkowska, BACP
Ref 169468
Calm, practical support for everyday struggles
Works with: Parenting, Stress, Anxiety, Relationship Languages: English, Polish
View listingPaul Bryan, LPC
Ref 175985
Compassionate counselor guiding steady change
Works with: Parenting, Family, Self esteem Languages: English
View listingCarson Gerber, LPC
Ref 27651
Compassionate practical therapy for everyday struggles
Works with: Parenting, Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse Languages: English
View listingKelley Sullivan, LCSW
Ref 526
Compassionate, practical therapy for real life struggles
Works with: Parenting, Stress, Anxiety, Relationship Languages: English, Spanish
View listingAquila Rives, LPC
Ref 68305
Practical therapy for trauma, stress, and relationships
Works with: Parenting, Trauma and abuse, Grief Languages: English
View listingDr. Robert Hunt, LPC
Ref 187307
Experienced therapist for life changes and emotion work
Works with: Parenting, Stress, Anxiety, Addictions Languages: English
View listingMore about parenting
Understanding parenting concerns and their impact
Parenting covers a wide range of day-to-day responsibilities and relationships - from newborn care and sleep routines to adolescent boundaries and co-parenting after separation. These responsibilities can affect your mood, energy, relationships and ability to manage stress. You might notice that parenting feels more overwhelming than you expected, that communication with your child or co-parent has become strained, or that routines that used to work no longer do. Parents often describe feeling guilty, exhausted, or unsure about discipline, school issues or developmental milestones. Those feelings are common, and they do not mean that you are failing. They do indicate that parenting affects more than just tasks and schedules - it touches identity, values and your sense of connection to others.
How parenting shows up varies across stages of child development and family structure. New parents may experience anxiety about feeding, sleep and attachment. Parents of school-age children often face questions about behavior, learning and social skills. During adolescence, you may be navigating autonomy, safety and conflict. Families managing separation, blended households or cultural differences can experience additional pressures. Because parenting involves ongoing interactions, even small patterns of stress or miscommunication can compound over time. Therapy offers a place to examine those patterns, learn practical skills and strengthen the everyday relationships that matter most.
Signs you might benefit from parenting-focused therapy
You might consider seeking professional support if parenting-related challenges are affecting your wellbeing or relationships. If you feel persistently overwhelmed, find your patience regularly depleted, or notice that arguments with your partner, co-parent or child are increasing in frequency or intensity, those are meaningful signals. Difficulty setting boundaries, managing tantrums, or responding in ways you later regret can also be signs that you would benefit from new strategies and perspective. When worries about parenting begin to intrude on sleep, work or enjoyment of family time, it is appropriate to look for assistance.
Other indicators include repeated disagreements over discipline or routines, ongoing stress around transitions such as school entry or moving, or concerns about a child’s social-emotional development that you want help addressing. You do not need a crisis to reach out; many people access therapy to build skills, prevent escalation and strengthen family communication. Therapy can also be helpful when you want support managing stress linked to broader life issues - finances, health, relocation - that are affecting your parenting. Recognizing these signs early gives you more options for responding and for guiding your family toward steadier patterns.
What to expect in parenting therapy sessions
When you start parenting-focused therapy, the first sessions typically involve sharing background information and current concerns. A therapist will usually ask about your family structure, history, and the specific situations that feel difficult. You should expect a conversational approach where you describe interactions, triggers and what you hope to change. Some therapists focus on immediate, practical strategies - such as consistent routines, clear expectations and calm limit-setting - while others may explore patterns from your own upbringing that influence how you parent now.
Therapy may include role-play, communication practice, emotion coaching techniques and guidance on behavior management that is appropriate for your child’s age. Sessions can involve you alone, you and a partner, or you and your child, depending on the goals and the therapist’s approach. Progress often looks like increased confidence in responding to challenging moments, clearer family rules, and fewer cycles of reactive conflict. Therapy is a process, and it typically blends short-term problem-solving with longer-term changes in how you relate to your child and manage stressors.
Common therapeutic approaches used for parenting
Therapists use a variety of frameworks to support parents, and it helps to know how those approaches differ. Some practitioners emphasize behavior-focused strategies that can help with discipline and routines. These approaches often break down behaviors into manageable steps, help you set consistent responses and build predictable systems that reduce power struggles. Other therapists work from a relational perspective that highlights attachment, emotional attunement and the parent-child bond. In that work you will explore ways to tune into your child’s feelings and to respond in ways that promote trust and regulation.
There are also approaches that concentrate on communication patterns within the whole family. Therapists who list family systems among their approaches look at how roles, rules and histories shape interactions and aim to shift dynamics so everyone has clearer expectations and healthier boundaries. Some therapists include techniques drawn from cognitive-behavioral approaches to address parental stress, anxiety or unhelpful thinking that affects parenting choices. You may also find therapists who list mindfulness, emotion-focused work or trauma-informed perspectives among their approaches. When a therapist lists a modality such as EMDR among their approaches, it indicates that they use that method with some clients, but it does not guarantee specific credentials; you can ask about their experience during an initial conversation.
How online parenting therapy works and tips for choosing a therapist
Online therapy has become a common option for parents who need flexibility. Sessions typically take place via video or phone and follow a structure similar to in-person work - discussion of concerns, practice of skills and collaborative planning for next steps. Online work can make it easier to fit appointments around school pickups, childcare and work commitments. Some therapists offer shorter check-ins or asynchronous messaging to supplement sessions. If you are considering online therapy, think about where you will take sessions so that you have a quiet, comfortable environment free from interruptions, and let a prospective therapist know about any technology concerns you have.
Choosing the right therapist for parenting involves considering several practical factors. Reflect on whether you prefer someone who focuses on behavior strategies, relationship and attachment, family systems, or stress and coping; many therapists list multiple approaches, and you can match those to your goals. Look at professional credentials and areas of experience to find clinicians who have worked with families or children in contexts similar to yours. Language and cultural understanding matter for many parents, so consider whether a therapist speaks your preferred language or has experience with your cultural background. Read profiles to learn about approaches and populations served, and prepare questions about how they would address the specific situations you face. A first conversation can help you gauge whether their style feels collaborative and respectful of your values.
Parenting is complex work that intersects with emotion, identity and daily logistics. Whether you are managing a short-term challenge or seeking longer-term support for family dynamics, therapy can provide tools, perspective and a steady space to experiment with change. By focusing on the approaches and experience that matter to you, and by choosing a therapist whose style aligns with your values, you can find practical ways to strengthen relationships and manage the demands of raising children.