Matt Givens , LIMFT, LMFT

Therapeutic approaches and online options for parents

Client-centered therapy follows what matters most to the client and focuses on listening, empathy, and working at the client’s pace to tackle parenting or relationship stress. It helps people feel heard and decide the changes they want to make.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) looks at how thoughts affect feelings and behavior and teaches concrete skills to reduce anxiety, manage mood, and change unhelpful routines. It is useful for parents who want practical steps to handle stress and day-to-day challenges.

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) targets memories that keep causing distress after traumatic events and aims to reduce the intensity of those reactions. This approach can help when past events continue to affect caregiving, relationships, or daily functioning.

Finding the right approach is a team effort. The therapist will discuss goals, try methods that fit those goals, and adjust as needed based on what works best. This collaborative process helps tailor therapy to parenting concerns, relationship patterns, or personal recovery.

Online sessions are offered by video calls, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging, which makes scheduling around school, work, and caregiving easier. Video allows fuller conversation and visual cues, phone can be a quicker check-in with less bandwidth, and messaging works well for brief updates or between-session support. These options give flexibility so therapy can fit into a busy family life.