Parent Coaching

As a parent and therapist, Kimberly Seelbrede empowers parents with the skills and knowledge to become more effective parents. Learn to:

• Work together as a team
• Set limits and boundaries
• Understand the meaning of your child’s behavior
• Help your child learn to assert her/himself in an appropriate way
• Understand the impact of your own childhood on your parenting skills
• Teach your child how to tolerate distress which is a skill they will need later in life
• Learn behavior management
• Learn how to protect your children from your own marital discord

Support for New Parents Relationship Expert Kim Seelbrede

This is a very exciting and often daunting time for couples as they struggle to navigate this new experience.  So many doubts and concerns arise for each of you and advice from well-meaning friends and family can be confusing. You will find that no matter what you ask, you will receive several different opinions from doctors, friends, and relatives.  Sometimes this advice is well received, and at other times it is overwhelming. It’s normal for new parents to second guess their own decisions at times.  At some point, you will learn to know your child better than anyone else. For now, it’s helpful to work with a neutral other to help you sort out your parenting goals and style and to help you communicate with each other so that you work as a team.  

Parenting the Teen and Adolescent

Raising children in New York City can feel overwhelming at times. The fast-paced schedules, stress of private and city school academics and keeping up with peers can add to the stress of everyday challenges in families. Enlisting the help of a therapist can provide guidance, support and understanding about the challenges of raising children in Manhattan. These are some common problems New York City families face while raising kids in the city.

• The demands of scheduling and over-scheduled kids in Manhattan
• The pressure to provide extra-enrichment
• The culture of excess homework in private schools
• Excessive competition from other parents
• Managing the stress from competitive peers
• Dealing with the values of other families that may run counter to your own
• Managing the unrealistic, stressful demands by teachers, parents, coaches and admissions officers
• Understanding when stress is creating symptoms in children and adolescents such as anxiety, depression, acting out, eating disorders, substance use, insomnia and somatic complaints such as GI problems, headaches and stomachaches

Parenting Younger Children

Many parents would like to make conscious and thoughtful choices that will have the greatest positive impact on their children. Research shows that children who receive consistent discipline and supervision early are happier and more resilient.  Sadly, many parents have difficulty setting appropriate and consistent limits with their children. Some parents are too harsh with their children in an effort to discipline while others are too lax and afraid to say “no.” Indulging a child excessively is over stimulating and creates tremendous problems for the child later in life. Children feel safe when structure and appropriate limits are provided. Each parent was raised differently, therefore conflicting parenting styles arise and need to be looked at to avoid sending confusing messages to their children. Parents often do not know how to use rewards and consequences effectively.

Parental Conflicts and Family Therapy

Children are incredibly attuned to parental discord and may show negative behaviors or blame themselves for their parents problems. Kids compensate in developmentally unhealthy ways when they sense parental distress and discord. Resolving conflict in a healthy manner can help your children learn to do the same.

Please feel free to contact Kim Seelbrede to see if couples or parent counseling can help you with issues related to: intimacy, trust, infidelity, parenting, communication, values, pre-marital counseling and many other aspects of relationships.

Kimberly Seelbrede provides parent coaching and support in her new york city office or via skype or phone if you live outside the city, los angeles, chicago, miami, international