Parenting & Family

Guidance for parents on behavior, school and family life from the licensed clinical psychologists at Thrive Collective in Ottawa, Illinois.

Two parents sit beside their young daughter at a round table, watching as she draws with colored pencils.
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What Is Parent Coaching? How It Works When Your Child Is Struggling
What Is Parent Coaching? How It Works When Your Child Is Struggling 850 566 Dr. Terry

Sometimes the person who needs the most support in child therapy isn’t the child sitting in my office. I don’t do parent coaching because I think parents are causing their…

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A woman sitting on a couch holds up two cards, one reading IEP and the other reading 504, as she weighs the two options, IEP vs 504
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IEP vs. 504 Plan: Which One Fits a Child With ADHD or Autism?
IEP vs. 504 Plan: Which One Fits a Child With ADHD or Autism? 1000 667 Dr. Menon

An IEP outlines the specific supports, i.e., accommodations, curriculum and instruction, designed around how that child learns, with goals the school must measure and report on. A 504 plan gives…

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A child sitting cross-legged on a yellow blanket, fitting together large white jigsaw puzzle pieces on the floor.
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What to Expect at Your Child’s First Therapy Session
What to Expect at Your Child’s First Therapy Session 1000 667 Dr. Terry

At our Ottawa, IL practice the first therapy session is a parent-only intake. What we ask, when your child comes in, and how soon families see change.

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Announcement graphic for Thrive Summit 2027 in Paris, April 1 to 4, 2027, at the Paris Marriott Opera Ambassador Hotel. Headshots of Dr. Vinita Menon, PhD, NCSP and Dr. Melissa Terry, PhD, NCSP appear above their session title, The Missing Piece (PEACE): Parent Coaching as a Clinical Intervention for Improving Child and Family Outcomes. The Eiffel Tower and the Seine are in the background.
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Parent Coaching in Paris: Dr. Menon and Dr. Terry to Present at Thrive Summit 2027
Parent Coaching in Paris: Dr. Menon and Dr. Terry to Present at Thrive Summit 2027 1080 1080 Dr. Menon

Dr. Vinita Menon and Dr. Melissa Terry will present parent coaching as a clinical intervention at Thrive Summit 2027 in Paris, April 1 to 4, 2027.

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A child sitting on the front steps with a backpack beside them, showing signs of back to school anxiety in kids
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When “I Don’t Want to Go Back to School” Is More Than a Phase
When “I Don’t Want to Go Back to School” Is More Than a Phase 1000 667 Dr. Terry

“My stomach hurts.” It’s the third morning in a row, and the pediatrician already said nothing’s wrong. You’re standing in the kitchen doing quick math: is this a bug, a…

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Nobody Told Me Advocating for My Kid Would Be This Hard
Nobody Told Me Advocating for My Kid Would Be This Hard 500 250 Dr. Menon

“I feel like I’m fighting everyone. The school, the insurance, sometimes even my own family. And I’m exhausted.” This is one of the most common things I hear from parents…

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Managing back-to-school anxiety: a quiet moment with a book and a warm drink
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Back-to-School Anxiety: A Psychologist’s Guide for Families
Back-to-School Anxiety: A Psychologist’s Guide for Families 1500 1000 Dr. Menon

Back-to-school anxiety is common and treatable. Dr. Vinita Menon explains why it shows up before school even starts, what the sleep research actually says, and what helps kids, including autistic and ADHD kids, most.

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messy kids room
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Is It a Skill Problem or a Motivation Problem? How to Help Your Child Succeed
Is It a Skill Problem or a Motivation Problem? How to Help Your Child Succeed 1707 2560 Dr. Terry

Why can’t my kid __________? Fill in the blank. Get themselves dressed. Get their planner signed. Stay at the table through a whole meal. Or why won’t my kid listen…

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Tired parent resting with head in hands representing parental stress and the importance of support
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A Parent’s Guide to Parental Stress
A Parent’s Guide to Parental Stress 2560 1707 Dr. Terry

The U.S. Surgeon General, Dr. Vivek Murthy, recently issued a warning on parental stress that has resonated deeply with many families. More specifically, it validates what I see in parents…

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Parent and teacher sitting at a desk representing preparation and communication at parent-teacher conferences
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How to Prepare for Parent-Teacher Conferences
How to Prepare for Parent-Teacher Conferences 1500 1000 Dr. Menon

Ahh, Fall. Along with apple cider, bonfires, and pumpkins, it’s also time for your child’s first parent-teacher conference of the year. This post will help you prepare for Parent-Teacher Conferences…

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