Psychiatrist's Guide: Helping Parents Reach Their Depressed Tween

In my practice as a child and adolescent psychiatrist, the parents of my patients most often ask me, "What do I say to him (or her)?" These are well meaning parents who care deeply for their children, but find themselves at a loss for how to begin, maintain and resolve conversations with their children who struggle with illnesses like depression, ADHD, anxiety, and bipolar disorder.

Though this book focuses on how parents can converse with their children who have mental illness, the skills and tools presented in this book are applicable to parents of all children.

Parents when faced with the challenge of trying to connect with their children are frequently so focused on their child talking with them, that they miss ways to make a meaningful connection that leads to increased understanding between the parent and child. This book will help parents learn to be cognizant of childhood developmental processes and about how their child's illness impacts development. Using knowledge about neurodevelopment, psychological development, and psychiatric disorders, parents will learn how to use conversation to improve bonding, bolster their child's self-esteem, and aid their child's development.