Parental Counselling
Raising a child or adolescent is one of the most beautiful tasks in life, but also one of the most demanding, lonely and challenging. Between daily routines, tantrums, school demands and the changes of each stage of growing up, it is perfectly normal for parents to feel, at times, exhausted, unsure or without the tools to handle certain behaviours.
At Clínica Bem Me Quero, Parental Counselling is not a space to judge the way you parent, nor a place where we hand out miracle recipes. It is a space of specialist support, focused on you and on your family's dynamic. Through an approach grounded in neurodevelopment and conscious parenting, we help decode what your child's behaviour is trying to communicate, offering you practical, personalised strategies to restore harmony at home.
We support parents and carers through challenges such as:
- Managing tantrums, crying spells and challenging behaviours
- Difficulties with sleep, feeding or potty-training routines
- Shared parenting after a separation or divorce
- Challenges in communicating and setting boundaries with teenagers
- Adapting to major changes (the birth of a sibling, changing school or bereavement)
- Feelings of parental guilt, exhaustion and family burnout
This service is available in person, at our clinic in Lisbon, or online, for greater ease of scheduling around the family's routine.
Frequently asked questions
Do my children also need to attend the Parental Counselling sessions?
No. Parental Counselling is a space aimed exclusively at parents or primary carers. We believe that by equipping adults with practical tools, understanding and new ways of communicating, the whole dynamic of the home is transformed. In some cases, after the initial assessment, we may suggest that the child also receive support in child psychology, but in parental counselling the focus is on the carers.
What is the difference between Parental Counselling and Child Psychology?
The main difference lies in who is the agent of change in the process. In child psychology, the psychologist works directly with the child, through play and therapy, to help them process their emotions. In Parental Counselling, we work with the parents so that they understand their child's development and learn concrete strategies to put into practice day to day, becoming the main promoters of the child's wellbeing.
My partner can't attend the sessions. Can I come on my own?
Yes, perfectly. Although the ideal scenario is for both carers to be present so they move in the same direction, the individual consultation is equally valid and very effective. The tools and perspectives you gain in the session will have a direct impact on how you interact with your children and, frequently, end up positively influencing the rest of the family dynamic.
How does online Parental Counselling work? Is it practical for parents?
It is, in fact, one of the formats parents value most. We know that family logistics — between school pick-ups, traffic and bath times — make travelling very difficult. The online format allows parents to have their space for consultation and clinical support from the comfort of home, after the children are asleep or during a pause in the day, with the same effectiveness, closeness and rigour as the in-person consulting room.
Do you have agreements with any insurer or health subsystem?
We don't have direct agreements with insurers or health entities. However, fortunately the vast majority of insurers and health subsystems already reimburse a significant percentage of the cost of private sessions. We suggest you check the specific conditions and coverage with your insurer. If reimbursement doesn't apply in your case, all our invoices are issued with your tax number, so they are automatically included in your IRS tax return as health expenses, where you are entitled to the corresponding deduction.
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