The Parent Support Service

Who works for The Parent Support Service and what are their qualifications? The Parent Support Service is run by Dr Victoria Samuel, a Chartered Clinical Psychologist. Victoria currently works within a NHS specialist Child Service and has previously had positions in a variety of additional NHS services including a Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service and a Looked After Children Team. Victoria has also worked as a volunteer with children in difficult circumstances with International Voluntary Service and Global Vision International. Victoria is Expert Advisor and consultant to the Supernanny website.



What is a Clinical Psychologist? Clinical Psychologists aim to reduce emotional distress and to enhance and promote psychological well-being. Qualifying as a Clinical Psychologist requires a minimum of 6 years of full-time university study (3 years undergraduate degree and 3 years postgraduate doctorate). Substantial practical experience is an essential part of training. Before qualifying, Trainee Clinical Psychologists must work with adults and children in a range of NHS services over a period of three years.

		Clinical Psychologists are trained to base their clinical interventions on up-to-date research and literature ensuring their work is always 'evidence-based'. Chartered Clinical Psychologists are regulated by the British Psychological Society and bound by their Code of Conduct and disciplinary procedures.

Daisy

Why is it common for parents to need support?

Parenting can be immensely rewarding and fun but it can also be very stressful and challenging. Many parents go through times when problems seem overwhelming and it feels hard to cope. This is perhaps not surprising when there is no training for such a difficult job.

Parenting stresses are also often magnified by two factors. Firstly, a prevailing culture of over-achievement and social pressures to be a 'perfect parent' and raise a 'perfect' child can lead parents to feel as if they've failed if things aren't going smoothly.

Secondly, it's common for parents nowadays to feel very isolated. Community support may be limited or non-existent, with family often living hundreds of miles away.

Parents who are struggling to cope with their child's behaviour often don't know where to turn. They may feel worried that they will be judged negatively if they ask for help. Minor child behaviour difficulties can easily escalate into firmly established negative cycles and it can start to feel impossible for things to improve.

PSS aims to break negative cycles within families, reducing parental stress and improving bonds between parents and children. PSS adopts a non-blaming, supportive and positive approach to parenting struggles.

Why are parenting skills important?

Parenting which enables problem situations to be smoothly negotiated is associated with significant benefits for both parents and children.

For parents:
When parents develop parenting skills which help them to manage difficult situations, they may experience a number of benefits:

Increased confidence and self esteem
Reduced stress and conflict in the family home
Feeling better able to cope
Finding parenting more fun and enjoyable
Developing a stronger, closer bond with their child

For children:
Research indicates that children who have secure, strong relationships

- 'attachment' - with their parents are likely to have:

Higher self-esteem and resilience
More friends and better success at school
Greater social competence
Better skills in recognising and dealing with emotions
More secure relationships later in life

The Parent Support Service specialises in helping parents to develop positive relationships with their child through a range of flexible, individualised support options.