The Parent Hope Podcast

Goal setting – how parents setting applicable goals helps a family to function

In this first episode of 2025, Jenny Brown interviews Philip Klever, a clinician and researcher from Kansas City in the USA. 

Philip describes his research and what it reveals about the variations in what goals parents set and together they explore how goal settings and principles are connected for parents. 

In the Parent Hope programs, parents are asked to consider their principles when deciding on their position. Jenny asks the question: how are principles and goals related and are applicable goals related to parents being aware of their job description? 

Philip Klever has conducted a remarkable 20-year study of 50 couples and their multigenerational families and has written 7 peer-reviewed journal articles about the study. 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/phillip-klever-8b360927/

Research

https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Phillip-Klever

Key article

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1752-0606.2009.00120.x

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

Contact us:

[email protected]

(02) 9904 5600

In this rebroadcasted episode, from Season 2 Episode 7, 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 

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

In this Rebroadcast of Season 2, Episode 5, the tables are turned! 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/

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

Challenging the Parenting United Front... Do Parents Always Need to Be on the Same Page?

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.

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

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.

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

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/

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

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 

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