From Josh

“How did you go bankrupt?
Two ways. Gradually, then suddenly.”

- Ernest Hemingway

More often than not parents contact me in what may feel like their darkest hour.  They are often scared, confused, and overwhelmed because, despite their best efforts over a long and arduous period of time, they have not yet found the right help for their struggling child.  They realize that while they love their child and would do anything for them they may no longer know how to help in a way their child needs.  This happens gradually and over time, as incidents and evidence pile up slowly - and then it happens suddenly and all at once, as that pile becomes unbearable and overwhelming.  

Over time, parents start to lose their hope as they exhaust themselves and their local options and resources. What they hoped would work is simply not working.  Gradually they run out of options or ideas, and then quite suddenly they realize they are dealing with an issue that is bigger than they are.  Parenting is often the most humbling of experiences.  It is especially humbling when we are forced to accept that we may be unable to help those we love the most.   

Hiring an Educational or Therapeutic Consultant is not a sign of weakness, or a sign of giving up, or a sign of being bested by a problem.  It is not the end of the line - it is the beginning of a new set of solutions.  It is a commitment to a process of growth and discovery and of the exploration of options which may simply not be readily apparent.  It is the choice to engage with the support, objectivity, and creativity of a professional who can help when parents are faced with the conflict, complexity or confusion that is caused when a family member is struggling - both gradually, and then all at once.