The following is an interview with a real client at the Center for Effective Therapy who utilized Behavioral Parent Training to support their child who was struggling with big emotions and how to control his feelings.
Can you briefly describe what life was like for your family before receiving outpatient treatment?
Two words - unimaginably hard. My child, who was 5 at the time, was very physically and mentally volatile. He was very reactionary, with big feelings and was not in control of his emotions. He had consistent challenging behavior with no playbook for how to handle it. As a parent it felt daunting, overwhelming, and near impossible to parent him in a way that I could bring him back to reality during his outbursts. I felt overwhelmed and like I was failing him as a parent. I also had a 2-year-old at the time and felt like all my energy was around trying to level him out. By the time we got to The Baker Center, I had neglected my household and my family. I was using so much energy with little output. At the time I was also dealing with other family matters, so I just felt very drained and alone. It felt isolating and I couldn't ask peers for help because no one was having the issues I was having. I couldn't get help to save my life and called 20 places until I found out about The Baker Center.
What made you want to contact The Baker Center?
I was given the Center's info by a friend and former sleep trainer. She gave me your number and within 24 hours I had a scheduled intake call. It was incredible and I finally felt like someone on the other end was listening to me. That was the first time I could feel a light and was no longer alone.
Do you have anything you would like to share about your overall experience with the Center for Effective Therapy?
I am incredibly impressed with your Center, the philosophy, and your staff. Your strong philosophy and the people who institute it are incredibly talented and are good at their job. The initial intake call and outreach was fielded quickly, and I could see a light. The most incredible thing was the info presented back to me after the intake assessment. The diagnostic report mirrored my son completely from a holistic viewpoint. It felt so accurate about who he was, and I felt so listened to. It made hearing the next steps that much easier because I felt like you guys got a clear picture.
How did you feel about our parent focused approach (Behavioral Parent Training) and how did your clinician make you as a parent feel seen and heard?
I love Behavioral Parent Training. My son is a typical 7-year-old and cannot sit down. He is active and bounces from thing to thing. The idea of bringing him to a therapist and bringing him in each week was daunting, so having an option for me to do sessions was amazing. Teaching and equipping me and his dad with useful skills was such a beautiful thing because I know I have the capacity to learn new strategies. It gave me the opportunity to recognize the situation and find solutions. I love the parent coaching because it felt like it yielded better results. It didn't feel regimented, and I could come to the table with what I needed. We came up with a plan that worked for me and for my son which looks different on different kids. Based on my experience with The Baker Center, I recommended BPT to my friends, and it has been such a sense of community with like-minded parents with like-minded skill sets. Being able to react to situations in a global way where you can seek advice from people who speak the same language is incredible.
How is life different now vs. before treatment?
Leaving treatment was hard for me. It feels like you guys are an extension of me, and it is such a security blanket and that I wasn't alone. I have learned such strong tools and methods for handling very difficult behavior and unfamiliar behavior. To describe life now versus life before treatment is unimaginably wonderful. I feel a new sense of confidence based on the tools I learned. I can really help my son process his big emotions. I love that BPT focuses on positivity and reward-based behaviors. It allows me to parent in a way that makes me feel good before, during, and after tough behavior. I feel like I can give him what he needs while also recognizing his behaviors and providing support. I can spend more time with my other child and the rest of my family. I am so grateful for the opportunity to be part of your program.