Why Does Parenting Feel So Overwhelming Sometimes?
Parenting is one of the most meaningful roles in life, but it can also feel incredibly overwhelming. Maybe you’ve found yourself wondering why your child doesn’t respond to your efforts or why managing behaviors and emotions feels like an uphill battle. Perhaps you’ve heard advice like, “Why can’t you just be firmer?” or “Why don’t you try being more consistent?”—and those words only add to the frustration because you know you’re already trying your best.
It might feel like you’re constantly adjusting to meet your child’s needs, balancing work, family dynamics, and everything else, only to feel like you’re falling short. The self-doubt can creep in, leaving you exhausted, confused, and unsure of what to do next.
It’s not that you’re failing—it’s that parenting isn’t one-size-fits-all, and the right support can make a world of difference.
The Challenges of Parenting in Today’s World
Parenting can feel like navigating a maze where the rules keep changing. You’re managing the needs of your child while balancing your own emotions and responsibilities, and it’s easy to feel stretched thin.
Perhaps your child is experiencing emotional struggles, behavioral challenges, or difficulty adjusting to school, and you’re unsure how to help. Or maybe you’re facing your own frustration and guilt when things don’t go as planned, wondering how to create a calmer, more connected family dynamic.
Sometimes, the constant effort to keep everything together feels isolating, and you might find yourself wondering: Am I doing this right? Is there a better way?
The truth is, parenting is challenging for everyone at times, but you don’t have to figure it all out alone. With the right tools and guidance, it’s possible to feel more confident and supported in your role as a parent.
Working Together with Dr. Ashley Welch
Parenting is one of the most rewarding yet challenging roles, and as a psychologist and a mother, I understand the unique pressures it can bring. With years of experience helping parents navigate behavioral challenges, family dynamics, and emotional struggles, I aim to create a supportive and understanding environment where you can explore your concerns and build practical strategies for your family.
As a psychologist practicing
If you’d like to learn more about my background and approach, feel free to visit my Bio page or schedule a free 15-minute consultation directly on my calendar.
I look forward to supporting you and helping your family thrive.
The Challenges of Parenting in a Complex World
Parenting can bring incredible joy, but it can also come with moments of frustration, self-doubt, and emotional exhaustion. You might feel like you’re navigating constant challenges—managing your child’s behavior, balancing responsibilities, and trying to meet everyone’s needs, including your own.
Here are some of the struggles you might be facing as a parent:
- Feeling Overwhelmed by Behavior or Emotions: Managing tantrums, defiance, or emotional outbursts can feel like an endless uphill battle, leaving you unsure of how to respond or move forward.
- Struggling with Guilt or Self-Doubt: You may question whether you’re doing enough, or worry that your parenting choices aren’t making the impact you hoped for.
- Drowning in Advice, but Unsure What Will Work: Well-meaning friends, family members, and even social media may offer endless advice, but figuring out what will actually help—or how to implement it—can feel overwhelming and confusing.
- Navigating Family Dynamics: Balancing the needs of multiple children, managing your relationship with a partner, or responding to extended family can sometimes feel like too much to handle.
- Feeling Isolated in Your Challenges: It’s easy to feel like no one truly understands your struggles as a parent, leaving you disconnected and unsure where to turn for help.
These challenges don’t mean you’re failing as a parent—they’re a natural part of the journey. But you don’t have to face them alone. Parent coaching and therapy offer a supportive space to work through these difficulties, build practical strategies, and create a more balanced, fulfilling family life.
How Parent Coaching and Therapy Can Help You Thrive
Parent coaching and therapy provide more than just advice—they offer a space to develop practical strategies, gain clarity, and build stronger connections within your family. Parenting comes with unique challenges, but with the right support, you can navigate them in ways that feel manageable and empowering.
Here’s what parent coaching and therapy can provide:
- Tailored Parenting Strategies: Together, we’ll identify the specific challenges you’re facing and develop personalized approaches that work for your family’s unique needs.
- Tools for Managing Emotions: Whether it’s addressing your child’s emotional struggles or managing your own frustrations, therapy can help you learn techniques to stay grounded and responsive during difficult moments.
- Guidance for Overwhelming Situations: When advice from others feels contradictory or unhelpful, therapy can offer clarity and actionable steps, helping you focus on what will truly work for your family.
- Improved Family Communication: Therapy helps you navigate difficult conversations with your child, partner, or extended family, fostering understanding and stronger relationships.
- Confidence in Your Parenting Role: By addressing doubts and learning new skills, therapy can help you feel more confident and capable in your ability to support your child and maintain a healthy family dynamic.
Parent coaching and therapy aren’t about pointing out what’s wrong—they’re about helping you build on your strengths, address challenges with compassion, and create a family environment where everyone can thrive.
What to Expect from Parent Coaching and Therapy
Parent coaching and therapy are about finding practical ways to address your family’s challenges while building a sense of calm and confidence in your parenting. The process is collaborative, focusing on strategies that align with your values and meet your child’s needs.
- Discovery and Understanding:
We’ll begin by getting a clear picture of your family’s current dynamics, your child’s unique challenges, and the patterns that might be contributing to stress or frustration. This initial phase is about understanding—not judgment—and creating a roadmap for where you’d like to go. - Practical Tools You Can Use:
Sessions are designed to provide actionable insights and strategies that you can implement in your daily life. Whether it’s de-escalating difficult moments, fostering stronger communication, or building routines that work for everyone, you’ll leave with tools tailored to your family’s needs. - Personalized Guidance for Complex Challenges:
Every family faces moments that feel overwhelming or even impossible. Through coaching and therapy, we’ll work together to navigate those situations with clarity and compassion, giving you the confidence to handle what comes next. - An Emphasis on Growth Over Perfection:
Parenting isn’t about getting it “right” every time—it’s about learning, adapting, and growing alongside your child. Our work together will focus on creating a supportive and balanced family environment where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.
Parent coaching and therapy are a partnership designed to empower you. Together, we’ll turn challenges into opportunities for growth and connection.
Why Dr. Ashley Welch is the Right Choice for Parent Coaching and Therapy
Parenting can feel like an overwhelming journey at times, but you don’t have to face it alone. As a psychologist and a parent myself, I understand the complexities of raising children while navigating behavioral challenges, emotional struggles, and family dynamics. My goal is to provide the support and tools you need to feel confident and connected in your parenting role.
Highly Trained Doctoral-Level Psychologists
At Polaris Psychology, our clinicians hold advanced doctoral degrees, providing a depth of expertise and specialized training to effectively support you through both everyday concerns and complex emotional challenges.
Personalized, Evidence-Based Therapy
We utilize scientifically validated therapeutic approaches, thoughtfully matched to your personal experiences and goals. Our evidence-based methods ensure you receive the most effective and tailored care possible.
Convenient Online Therapy from Your Home
We provide therapy online through secure video sessions, allowing you to conveniently access professional care without the hassle of commuting. Clients often find virtual sessions more comfortable, flexible, and beneficial than traditional office visits.
Supportive, Compassionate, and Judgment-Free
Our therapists create a safe and understanding environment, free from judgment or pressure. Here, you’re encouraged to openly explore your feelings, gain clarity, and confidently move toward personal growth and healing.
With the right support, parenting doesn’t have to feel so overwhelming. Together, we can create a path toward greater connection, understanding, and calm within your family.
Your Parenting Challenges Are Unique—and So Is My Support
Parenting is deeply personal, and it’s normal to feel overwhelmed at times. Opening up about the struggles you face as a parent—whether it’s managing your child’s behavior, balancing family dynamics, or handling your own emotions—can feel intimidating. That’s why it’s so important to feel understood, supported, and free from judgment. As both a psychologist and a parent, I’m here to create that space for you.
I recognize that every family’s needs and experiences are unique, and I’m committed to honoring your journey with the care and respect it deserves. Parent coaching and therapy provide a private and personalized process where you can openly share your concerns, gain clarity, and build strategies that feel right for your family.
Whether you’re looking for guidance on a specific challenge or seeking long-term support, I’ll be with you every step of the way. Together, we can work toward greater understanding, connection, and balance in your home.
Frequently Asked Questions
We understand that starting neurodivergent therapy can come with a lot of questions. Below are answers to some of the most common questions we receive. If you need more information or have specific concerns, feel free to reach out to us directly.
Q: How do I know if parent coaching and therapy are right for me?
A: Parent coaching and therapy may be helpful if you’re feeling overwhelmed by your child’s behavior, struggling to maintain balance in your family dynamics, or unsure how to handle specific parenting challenges. If you’re often asking yourself, “Am I doing this right?” or feeling lost in a flood of advice, coaching and therapy can provide clarity and actionable steps tailored to your family’s needs.
Q: Will this involve my child, or is it just for me?
A: Parent coaching and therapy primarily focus on the parent’s role, equipping you with tools and strategies to support your child effectively. However, if it’s helpful to involve your child in sessions, that can be arranged. Dr. Ashley Welch also provides family therapy and therapy for children, allowing for a collaborative approach when needed to address specific challenges or strengthen family dynamics.
Q: Do you accept insurance?
A: Polaris Psychology does not accept insurance at this time, but we can provide you with documentation that you can submit to your insurance provider for potential out-of-network reimbursement. Please check with your insurance provider to see if they cover out-of-network mental health services and to understand your reimbursement options.
Q: How much does therapy cost?
A: Each individual therapy session is $250. Payment is due at the time of the session. We accept all major credit cards, debit cards, and FSA/HSA accounts.
Q: How does virtual parent coaching work?
A: All sessions are conducted securely via video, allowing you to access support from the comfort of your home or wherever your schedule allows. Virtual coaching makes it easier to fit sessions into your busy life without the need for travel.
Q: Do you practice where I am?
A: At Polaris Psychology our licensed psychologists are authorized to practice
Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Carolina, North Dakota, Northern Mariana Islands, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
Ready to Begin? Schedule Your Free Therapy Consultation Today.
We know seeking help is a significant step, and we want to make it as smooth as possible for you. Simply use the calendar below to choose a time that works for you. Once booked, you’ll be set up for a direct consultation with one of our licensed psychologists.