Recent studies have found that several of these programs not only failed to help young people but also made their mental health problems worse. Jenny shares some thoughts about this and links it to the Bowen family system ideas of how focusing on a problem in a person can actually project or amplify that problem. 

Note: some of the research quoted is discussed in this NY Time article by Darby Saxbe professor of psychology at the University of Southern California

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/18/opinion/teenagers-mental-health-treatment.html#

Here is an example of a study that Jenny refers to in this episode. The journal Behaviour Research and Therapy: Behaviour Research and Therapy  Volume 169, October 2023,  a study of 1,071 Australian teenagers who were observed from 2017 to 2018.

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Jenny reflects on parents' questions about why they would need to be involved in addressing a child’s symptoms if it is from the child’s genetics or brain wiring. Even when genetics plays a part, the research points to the important influence of the child's environment. Parents can impact the environment in many growth-enhancing ways – this is the basis of building parent hope.

The book mentioned is: Hudson, J. L., & Rapee, R. M. (Eds.). (2005). Psychopathology and the family. Elsevier Science.  https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2005-15038-000

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Jenny shares some thoughts on how the way we respond to a concern is more impactful than just focusing on the content of the issue. We can research problems such as sleep or screen time issues, but all this information can add to a parent's intensity—considering the effects of our responses on our children is the place where progress and hope are built.

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In this episode, Jenny Brown delves deeper into Differentiation-Based Parenting, exploring how this approach extends beyond the parent-child relationship to include the dynamic between parenting partners.

Grounded in Bowen family systems theory, Differentiation-Based Parenting shifts the focus from solely addressing children’s needs and vulnerabilities to encouraging parents to develop greater self-awareness while maintaining a calm and connected presence with their children. By prioritising self-management, parents create emotional space that supports both their own growth and their children’s, fostering mutual independence alongside a strong, loving bond.

This approach helps parents recognise their emotional triggers and reactions, allowing them to respond thoughtfully rather than being overly swayed by their children’s moods or behaviours. As a result, communication and problem-solving within the family improve, leading to a healthier, more balanced dynamic. Children benefit by developing emotional resilience, learning to navigate challenges independently, and growing into self-assured, capable individuals.

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In this episode, Jenny Brown introduces a title for the Parent Hope Project's parenting approach. Part one of this series asks the question: Is this just another parenting style with a whole lot of techniques?

Part two will explore what this approach looks like beyond the parent-child relationship, extending into the parenting partnership.

Differentiation-Based Parenting, rooted in Bowen family systems theory, emphasises the value of parents becoming more self-aware while maintaining a non-anxious connection with their children. Unlike most parenting approaches, which focus primarily on children’s needs and vulnerabilities, this approach encourages parents to cultivate emotional space by focusing on managing themselves.

This allows both the parents and their children to develop independently while simultaneously fostering a loving relationship. By recognising their own emotional triggers and responses, parents can avoid being overly influenced by their children’s moods and behaviours, promoting clearer communication and problem-solving. This parenting stance supports a healthier family dynamic, enabling children to grow as unique individuals who can learn to manage their emotions and challenges, ultimately leading to more resilient and independent young people.

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In this episode of the podcast, Dr Jenny Brown sits down with Clinical Psychologists Ahmed Tohamy and Samantha Pilcher to explore the challenges of school avoidance and how families can support children in re-engaging with education. Ahmed, who recently spoke at the sold-out School-Link Forum Day Event in Illawarra and Shoalhaven, NSW, shares his experience piloting the Parent Hope Project, a family-based intervention aimed at addressing school refusal. Samantha brings valuable insights from her extensive work with families, providing a rich discussion on the emotional and practical challenges parents face in helping their children re-engage with school life.

Join Jenny, Samantha, and Ahmed as they discuss the Bowen Family Systems approach, focusing on how parents can build their children’s capacities to overcome school avoidance, while diving into clinical approaches, family dynamics, and practical solutions for one of the toughest challenges in child and adolescent mental health.

About the Guest: Ahmed Tohamy

Ahmed is a clinical psychologist with extensive experience working with complex children, adolescents, young adults and their families in public mental health, child protection and school settings. He also has experience in the private sector across a variety of issues. He has a special interest in Schema Therapy and Bowen Family Systems Theory.

https://www.sppsych.com.au/ 

 https://www.linkedin.com/in/ahmed-tohamy-57a4a270. 

About the Guest: Samatha Pilcher

Samatha is a clinical psychologist who works in private practice and public child and family mental health.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/samantha-pilcher-992416177/

To see our training for mental health professionals: https://parenthopeproject.com.au/parent-project-programs/

To see our schools packages:
https://parenthopeproject.com.au/schools-courses/

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In this Episode Jenny is back in the hosting seat with guest Dan Papero.

Dr Jenny Brown draws on Dan’s rich experience as a Bowen family systems scholar, teacher and clinician. They explore how our families are both the seedbed for symptoms and a garden of recovery. They explore how parents can contribute to their family becoming a garden for the sustainable growth and flourishing of its members - including its children.

This conversation builds on Dr Papero’s keynote addresses at the 21st Family Systems Institute Conference. https://www.thefsi.com.au/

About the Guest:

Dan Papero is a senior faculty member from the Bowen Center for the Study of the Family in Washington, DC. Learn more about Dan's and his work here:
https://www.thebowencenter.org/
https://www.thebowencenter.org/faculty-bios/daniel-papero 

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In this episode, the tables are turned again as Vicki Wilkins, the Parent Hope Project Professional Programs Coordinator, interviews Dr. Jenny Brown. They discuss the topic of limit setting and responding to children's misbehaviour.

Does the family systems approach recognise that parenting involves responding to children’s misbehaviours?  This question seems to come up so much at parent events and in our parents' hope for professional training –  It speaks to parent uncertainty about what their leadership involves with so much conflicting advice out there.

Guest Host-Vicki Wilkins

Vicki Wilkins is a mother of three primary age children, a Mental Health Clinician & one of the valued members of the Team at the Parent Hope Project.

Interviewee & Regular Host of the Parent Hope Podcast- Dr Jenny Brown

Dr Jenny Brown has worked in child, couple, and family health since the 1980s, focusing on child and adolescent mental health and the crucial role of parental involvement in treatment. Throughout her career, Jenny has observed and researched how easily parents can lose confidence in their strengths and wisdom, often stepping aside to let experts address concerns about their children. Her extensive clinical and research work based on Bowen family systems led to a profound realisation: children do best when their parents and carers have self-awareness and clarity in their roles rather than just trying to fix their child.  

Driven by this insight, Jenny developed the Parent Hope Project. The project reflects her commitment to empowering parents, enabling them to effectively nurture their children’s mental health. This approach is grounded in her depth of understanding of family therapy, particularly Dr Murray Bowen’s family systems theory.  

Episode Links:

•  https://www.amazon.com/Parenting-Clarity-Caregivers-Supporters-Flourishing/dp/0648578542?ref_=ast_author_dp 
• https://parenthopeproject.com.au/when-tantrums-are-also-disobedience/ 

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In this episode the tables are turned! Last week's guest, Michelle Varcoe, interviews Dr Jenny Brown to discuss:

• The importance of co-regulation in parenting.
• What is co-regulation?
• Are there potential pitfalls of focusing too much on co-regulation?
• Consider the role of self-regulation in parenting.
• Differentiation in Parenting: meaningful connection without invasion.

To hear more about Michelle go to Season 2 Episode 4 or see links below.

About Dr Jenny Brown:
Dr Jenny Brown has over 35 years of clinical experience in child, couple, and family health. Her primary clinical and research interest has been in Child and adolescent mental health and parent’s involvement in treatment. This has been reflected in her publications, conference and workshop presentations and her PhD research on parents’ experience of their child’s mental health treatment. The Parent Hope project has been developed from this critical research.

Jenny’s most recent book is Facilitating Parents’ Agency in Child and Adolescent Mental Health: Helplessness to Hope – published by Cambridge Scholars.

https://parenthopeproject.com.au/about-jenny-brown/

About Michelle Varcoe:
Michelle is an Accredited Mental Health Social Worker who has worked across various Child and Adolescent Mental Health teams within NSW Health, and has extensive experience in supporting families who have a child/adolescent presenting with moderate-severe mental health issues 

https://thefsp.com.au/parent-programs/

https://thefsp.com.au/michelle-varcoe/

Parent Hope Project:

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Facebook-https://www.facebook.com/coachingparents

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LinkedIn-https://www.linkedin.com/company/79093727/admin/feed/posts/

Website-https://parenthopeproject.com.au/

Contact us:

[email protected]

(02) 9904 5600

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Youtube-http://www.youtube.com/@ParentHopeProject

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Website-https://parenthopeproject.com.au/

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In this Episode Jenny and Guest Michelle Varcoe discuss tantrums, sleep issues and exhaustion - staying steady (enough) during the early parenting years.

Michelle brings her insight into what she sees as the main challenges in trying to stay steady in these very intense, exhausting parenting years.

Michelle Varcoe is a mother who is just coming up for air from the early parenting years. She is a seasoned mental health clinician, one of the specialist Parent counsellors at the Parent Hope Clinic in Sydney https://thefsp.com.au/parent-programs/.

She is particularly aware of the unique role that parents/carers play in the support of a young person, but also the unique anxieties and concerns that are inherent in the demanding role of parenting. She has seen how these anxieties increase alongside the concern for a young person who is deeply struggling with their mental health. As such, she is committed to working with parents in a non-judgemental, empathic approach that supports parents’ self-efficacy and resourcefulness as they continue the enriching challenges of parenthood.  Michelle is committed to the learning process, maintaining curiosity and continuous thinking, and is currently studying the Advanced Certificate of Couple and Family Systems Therapy through the Family Systems Institute (due to complete in 2024). She has also presented her thinking around application of theory to practice at conferences alongside her colleagues.   

Guest Bio:
Michelle is an Accredited Mental Health Social Worker who has worked across various Child and Adolescent Mental Health teams within NSW Health, and has extensive experience in supporting families who have a child/adolescent presenting with moderate-severe mental health issues.
https://thefsp.com.au/parent-programs/
https://thefsp.com.au/michelle-varcoe/

Parent Hope Project Links:
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Youtube-http://www.youtube.com/@ParentHopeProject
Facebook-https://www.facebook.com/coachingparents
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LinkedIn-https://www.linkedin.com/company/79093727/admin/feed/posts/
Website-https://parenthopeproject.com.au/
Contact us: [email protected]
(02) 9904 5600

Newsletter-https://parenthopeproject.com.au/#newsletter

Youtube-http://www.youtube.com/@ParentHopeProject

Facebook-https://www.facebook.com/coachingparents

Instagram-https://www.instagram.com/parenthopeproject/

LinkedIn-https://www.linkedin.com/company/79093727/admin/feed/posts/

Website-https://parenthopeproject.com.au/

Contact us:

[email protected]

(02) 9904 5600