Structural Techniques for Engaging Reluctant Parents in Counseling

Aaron Kindsvatter
Dr. Jill D. Duba, Western Kentucky University
Erin Dean

Abstract

Parents sometimes present their children for counseling with the hope that counselors can resolve or ameliorate their children’s “pathology.” Often what is presented or understood by parents as the individual pathology of children in fact has a relational component involving parental interactions with the children. However, some parents may initially be reluctant consumers of the counseling process. Yet, parental involvement is important because parents may not only be contributors to the problem that their children are experiencing, but the best resource to assist their children in developing positive mental health. This article describes structural interventions for engaging reluctant parents in counseling.