Parent Counselling

Dr Lisa Sheinin has been using Positive Discipline as her go-to parenting strategy to help parents since she discovered it as a resident. It is designed to encourage, not discourage, to stop punishment, yelling and other unhelpful parenting tactics.

Positive Discipline is an approach developed by Jane Nelsen that has lots of tools to choose from to make sure that parents feel they have an approach that will succeed in a specific situation with their child.

Using Positive Discipline helps parents to encourage, enlist co-operation, and to focus on solutions and problem-solving with children/adolescents.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • The Five Components of Positive Discipline are:

    • Helping children feel a sense of connection (belonging and significance); 

    • Being kind and firm at the same time (respectful and encouraging);

    • Long-term effectiveness (punishment may “work” in the short term, but has negative long-term results);

    • Teaching valuable social and life skills for good character (respect, concern for others, problem-solving, cooperation, contribution);

    • Inviting children to discover how capable they are and to use their personal power in constructive ways.

  • Counselling can help with establishing routines for eating, sleeping, screen use, homework and chores. It can help with conflicts between siblings, and better communication between parents and kids.

  • Yes. Although you can seek counselling on your own, if your partner is available and willing it is often great for parents to work together. Having your child participate can also help to not only better understand the problem but to achieve some of the aims of Positive Discipline - to develop self-regulation, problem-solving, responsibility and self-esteem. Involving as many people as possible in the search for solutions that work helps with family harmony.