Specialist Parenting Clinic — Circle of Security
Over the course of my career I have become increasingly convinced
of the fundamental importance of relationships in shaping the developing
brain. The need for an emotional connection drives almost every aspect
of human behaviour. Promoting good communication and strong emotional
bonds in important relationships is what underpins much of my work
with children and families. Circle
of Security Parenting is a relationship-based parenting programme
developed by Kent Hoffman, Bert Powell and Glen Cooper from Spokane
Washington USA. It is highly acclaimed internationally, based on robust
theory but driven by compassion and respect for parents and children.
I was first trained in this approach by the originators in 2004 and
have been instrumental in introducing it to the UK ever since.
The approach is significantly different to most other parenting programmes.
Whilst the goal of many widely available interventions is behaviour
management, the Circle of Security aims to strengthen the parent-child
relationship by helping parents read and respond to their child’s
emotional cues. When the relational bond is strong, better behaviour
tends to follow as a natural consequence and the benefits are enduring
and wide-ranging.
This short animated film sums it up well:
Parenting Support for Children with Special Educational Needs
Some children, for a variety of reasons may be more challenging to
parent. Children with specific learning difficulties, social communication
problems or with any kind of unusual developmental profile, may require
additional understanding or extra parenting skills. My colleague,
clinical psychologist Bettina
Hohnen has specialist expertise in the area of education, learning
and neurodisability. We work together to help parents of such children.
Using our combined clinical experience we are uniquely placed to help
such parents.
In general we recommend 8 sessions to complete the course but can
adapt this to suit your needs and circumstances.
If you are interested or think these sessions might help, please contact
Tracey who can provide more details.
