A common question: "what should I do about my adolescent?"

Consultations for parents is different from therapy.

Parent Consultations help the parent(s) come up with alternative solutions, perspectives, possibilities, and relationship styles that 'unlock' old patterns that weren't working and create fresh ideas, less anxiety, and even fun, back into parenting the adolescent.

Parent Consultations is a great place to start if you are not sure whether your adolescent needs therapy or another process in order to improve a specific problem. A consultant will help identify the key information and aid you in making a decision about next steps.

Common themes include good habits, rewards/consequences, following rules, family stress, and how to extend the adolescent's therapy benefits into the home environment.

Psychologists know from research that if too much time lapses between the consultation and taking action, the person will not do the required work in order to change.

Take the time to put into practice what your consultant and you have decided. Notice where it works and where it doesn't. Then keep modifying by trial and error yourself and/or with follow-up consultations until you have a system that fits.

Consultation may involve one session, several sessions, and/or follow-up sessions in order to fine-tune the action plan.

The session(s) may or may not involve your adolescent at some point.

For more information about Dr. Hartman's parent consultation services, visit www.marinparenting.com .