Parent Guidance & Support
You know your child best.
You don’t have to have all the answers.
Parenting doesn’t come with a handbook, and even when you know your child better than anyone else, there can be times when you’re just not sure what to do next.
Maybe the same challenges keep coming up at home. Routines aren’t working, emotions are running high, or you’re trying to figure out how to support something your child is working on in counseling.
Sometimes you know what needs to change, but figuring out how to make that happen in everyday life is another story.
At Storyhouse, we believe supporting kids also means supporting the people who care for them. Parent Guidance & Support sessions give parents an opportunity to step away from the daily demands of parenting, talk through a specific concern, and work together to find practical approaches that fit their child and family.
Julie Johnson, LCSW, brings 16+ years of experience supporting children and families.
Read Julie’s story →Practical support for everyday family life
There are times when a child is making progress in counseling, but parents need a little extra help figuring out how to support that progress at home. Other times, there’s a specific situation that parents want guidance navigating. These sessions can help families work through things like:
Routines & Organization
Creating more manageable schedules, expectations, and routines for mornings, homework, bedtime, and everyday responsibilities.
Behavior & Boundaries
Understanding challenging behaviors, setting appropriate expectations, and finding more consistent ways to respond.
Big Emotions & Coping Skills
Learning how to respond when a child is overwhelmed, frustrated, anxious, or struggling to manage their feelings.
Communication & Connection
Finding ways to have difficult conversations, work through disagreements, and better understand what a child might be trying to communicate.
School-Related Routines & Challenges
Helping parents support their child’s emotional and behavioral needs around school, including homework frustration, motivation, organization, and routines at home.
Putting New Skills Into Practice
Learning how to reinforce the strategies and tools a child is working on in counseling so those skills carry over into everyday life.
And sometimes, parents simply have a question or situation that doesn’t fit neatly into any of these categories. You don’t have to come in knowing exactly what needs to change. We’ll start with what’s happening, talk through what you’ve already tried, and work together to determine what might help.
Not sure if parent guidance is what you need?
Parent-only sessions, focused on your child
Parent Guidance & Support is offered in connection with a child’s individual or group counseling at Storyhouse. These are parent-only sessions focused on helping adults better understand and support their child’s needs.
Focused on Your Child
These sessions are designed for parents or caregivers, without the child present. The focus remains on the child’s needs and the ways adults can support their progress outside of counseling.
Built Around a Specific Need
Parent sessions begin with an identified concern, question, or area where additional support would be helpful.
Before meeting, we’ll gather information about what you’d like to address so we can prepare relevant strategies, resources, and information to make our time together as useful as possible.
Sessions might involve talking through a particular challenge, exploring different approaches, building a plan for home, or learning how to apply skills your child is practicing in counseling.
As Needed, Not Necessarily Ongoing
There’s no predetermined number of parent sessions. Sometimes one conversation is enough to develop a plan and feel more confident moving forward. Other situations may benefit from several sessions as we try strategies, see what’s working, and make adjustments.
These sessions are not intended to be ongoing individual therapy for parents. They’re an additional way to support the work being done with your child.
Working Around Your Family’s Needs
In-person appointments are preferred. Once services have been established, virtual parent sessions may be considered when there is an identified need and a virtual format is appropriate.
Parent sessions can also be requested when a particular concern comes up during your child’s ongoing counseling. We’ll discuss the best way to incorporate that support into your child’s overall plan.
Room for both
At Storyhouse, we want kids to leave counseling with more tools, more confidence, and a better understanding of how to handle life’s challenges.
We want parents to feel equipped too.
When families understand what their child is working on and have practical ways to support those skills at home, the work doesn’t have to stop when a counseling session ends.
Individual Therapy
One-on-one support for kids and teens ages 5–17.
Group Therapy
Practicing skills alongside peers, with guidance.
School Advocacy & Support
Help navigating school processes and meetings.
Questions parents often ask
Have a question about your family?
Tell us what’s going on and we’ll help you figure out the next step.
Mon–Fri, by appointment · Germantown, TN
Is parent guidance and support therapy?
Parent Guidance & Support sessions are parent-focused counseling services provided as a supplemental part of a child’s care at Storyhouse. The focus is on helping parents understand and respond to their child’s needs, apply practical strategies, and support their child’s progress.
These appointments are not individual therapy for a parent’s own mental health concerns. If a parent would benefit from that type of support, we’re happy to discuss options for connecting with an appropriate provider.
Does my child have to be a Storyhouse client?
Yes. Parent Guidance & Support is offered in connection with a child who is actively receiving individual or group counseling at Storyhouse.
If your child is not yet a client, we can discuss their needs and whether beginning services at Storyhouse might be an appropriate next step. Get in touch to start the conversation.
Should both parents participate?
Both parents are welcome to participate when appropriate, but it’s not required. Sometimes it helps for both parents to hear the same information and work toward a shared approach. Other times, meeting with one parent or caregiver makes the most sense. We’ll discuss what would be most beneficial for your child and family.
Can divorced or separated parents participate?
Yes. We understand that children may have different routines, expectations, and experiences across households. When appropriate and consistent with custody arrangements, consent requirements, and the child’s needs, we can work with parents to develop strategies that support greater consistency and understanding.
We’ll discuss participation and any necessary agreements before scheduling.
Is my child present?
No. These sessions are designed for parents or caregivers to discuss concerns, ask questions, and develop ways to support their child. Your child’s individual or group counseling sessions remain separate.
How many sessions are typically needed?
It depends on what you’re working through. Some situations may only require one session to discuss a concern and create a practical plan. Others may benefit from several conversations as strategies are put into place and adjustments are made.
These sessions are offered as needed and are not designed to be ongoing individual therapy for parents.
Can you help us implement strategies recommended by our child’s therapist or school?
Absolutely! Helping parents understand and put strategies into practice is one of the ways these sessions can be beneficial. Whether you’re working on routines, behavior expectations, emotional regulation, or school-related challenges, we can help explore how recommendations might fit into your family’s everyday life.
With your permission and a completed release of information, we can also communicate with other professionals involved in your child’s care when collaboration would be helpful.
Can Parent Guidance & Support help with school-related concerns?
Yes. When school challenges affect your child’s emotions, behavior, organization, or routines at home, parent sessions can help you develop strategies to support those needs.
If you’re looking for help understanding school processes, preparing for meetings, or exploring school resources, our School Advocacy & Support service may be a better fit. Learn more about School Advocacy & Support.
What ages do you support through parent guidance?
These services are available to parents or caregivers of children and teens ages 5–17 who are actively receiving counseling at Storyhouse. The guidance is shaped around your child’s age, developmental needs, and the challenges your family is navigating.
What does parent guidance cost?
Fees for Parent Guidance & Support sessions are $180. Any additional needs or costs will be discussed before scheduling so families know what to expect.
If you have questions about fees or payment, please contact our office.
When might you recommend individual therapy instead?
Sometimes the challenges of parenting bring up concerns that would benefit from a space focused specifically on the parent’s own emotional health, relationships, or personal experiences. When that happens, individual therapy with a provider who works with adults may be more appropriate.
Storyhouse’s parent sessions remain focused on the child’s care, but we’re happy to help families explore referrals when additional support would be beneficial.
Ready to feel more equipped at home?
- Parent-only sessions
- One session or several
- Focused on your child’s needs