Break the cycle. Parent with more peace and confidence.
Therapy for Parents in Leesburg, VA
Helping thoughtful parents navigate doubt, overwhelm, and the emotional side of parenting
In-person therapy in Leesburg, VA, and online therapy across VA, MD, and DC
Questions? Contact me.
Does Parenting Feel More Complicated Than You Expected?
Parenting often brings experiences we couldn’t fully imagine before we were in it.
Many people enter parenthood with excitement, hope, and a vision of the kind of home they want to create. You may have imagined a family life filled with connection, warmth, and opportunities you didn’t always have yourself. You wanted your child to feel supported, understood, and free to grow into who they are.
And then parenting begins—and the reality can feel more complicated.
When children are young, the physical demands can be exhausting in ways you didn’t fully anticipate. As they grow, the challenges often shift. What once felt tiring becomes more emotional and relational, bringing new questions about how to respond and what your child needs from you in each moment.
You may notice a gap between the parent you want to be and the one who shows up when you’re depleted, overwhelmed, or unsure what to do next.
For many parents, it isn’t just the logistics that feel overwhelming. It’s the emotional weight of wanting to get it right. The pressure that comes with knowing how much your child matters—and how deeply you care about the environment you’re creating for them.
Parenting can also bring up reactions that surprise you. Certain behaviors, transitions, or moments may stir strong emotions, self-doubt, or guilt that feels out of proportion to what’s happening. You might feel confused by how intensely you respond at times, or frustrated with yourself for struggling when you believe you should be able to handle this better.
If parenting has left you feeling anxious, self-questioning, or worried about making mistakes, it doesn’t mean you’re failing. Often, it means you care deeply about doing this well.
Therapy can help parents slow things down, understand what’s coming up for them, and feel more steady and intentional as they move forward—without needing to be perfect.
You’re Not Alone—Parenting Often Brings Old Feelings to the Surface
Many parents are surprised by how emotionally intense parenting can feel. Even those who are thoughtful, reflective, and deeply committed to their children often find themselves struggling with guilt, doubt, or a sense that they’re falling short.
This is especially true for parents who grew up with criticism, emotional distance, instability, or unmet needs—or for those who simply didn’t feel fully supported or understood as children. Becoming a parent has a way of raising questions about what you needed, what you received, and what you want to offer now.
It’s also common for anxiety to show up in subtle ways during parenting—not always as constant worry, but as overthinking, high expectations, fear of doing harm, or pressure to get things exactly right.
Add in the realities of modern parenting—busy schedules, conflicting advice, comparison, and limited support—and it’s no wonder so many parents feel overwhelmed or alone in their struggles.
The truth is: parenting often brings up unresolved feelings and old patterns—not because you’re doing something wrong, but because this role matters so much. Noticing these patterns isn’t a weakness. It’s a sign of care, insight, and a desire to grow.
Therapy can offer a supportive space to understand what’s being stirred up, respond more intentionally, and begin parenting from a place of connection rather than fear or self-doubt.
Therapy Can Help You Parent with More Clarity, Confidence, and Intention
Therapy for parents isn’t about telling you how to parent or offering strategies for managing your child’s behavior. It’s about supporting you—so you can better understand what’s coming up for you, respond more intentionally, and feel steadier in the role you’re already taking seriously.
In our work together, we focus on the internal experience of parenting. We move at a more intentional pace, reflect on moments that feel confusing or charged, and explore the beliefs, expectations, or emotions that get activated along the way. Therapy becomes a place to gently untangle those concerns—without judgment—and make sense of what’s happening for you.
As we talk, we may notice patterns—ways you learned to cope, relate, or take responsibility earlier in life that are showing up now in parenting. This awareness helps you separate what belongs to now from what belongs to then, making it easier to pause and choose how you want to respond rather than reacting automatically.
Parenting isn’t about getting everything right—it’s about responsiveness, repair, and learning as you go.
Sessions are collaborative and reflective, with space to slow down and think things through together. Over time, many parents notice they feel less reactive, less weighed down by guilt or self-doubt, and more trusting of themselves as parents.
I work with parents who want to be thoughtful and intentional, especially those navigating transitions or stages of parenting that raise unexpected questions.
You don’t have to resolve every part of your history—or be perfectly regulated—to parent well. With support, it’s possible to feel more grounded and aligned with the kind of home you want to create.
Common Questions Parents Have About Therapy
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Many parents wonder this—especially those who function well and care deeply. Therapy isn’t only for people with obvious or extreme experiences. Parenting often brings up subtle patterns or emotional responses that developed over time. If something feels heavy, confusing, or hard to shake, it may be worth exploring.
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This fear is incredibly common, especially for parents who care deeply about doing right by their children. Parenting isn’t about getting everything right—it’s about responsiveness, repair, and learning along the way. Therapy can offer space to reflect on moments that linger, understand what they bring up for you, and consider how you want to show up moving forward. One moment—or even a difficult phase—does not tell the full story of who you are as a parent.
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Yes—if you’re looking for support, reflection, and space to think more clearly. Therapy with me isn’t about giving instructions or advice. It’s a place to explore your reactions, make sense of what’s coming up for you, and clarify how you want to show up as a parent.
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Many thoughtful parents worry about this—especially those who want to do things differently, but don’t want to overcorrect or get it wrong. Therapy isn’t about finding a single right answer. It’s about understanding what matters to you, noticing what gets in the way, and making choices that feel more aligned. Over time, this often leads to more confidence and less second-guessing.
More questions? Visit the FAQs page.
You Don’t Have to Figure This Out on Your Own
If parenting has brought up questions, self-doubt, or emotions you weren’t expecting, you don’t have to carry that alone. Therapy can offer a space to slow down, reflect, and feel more grounded as you navigate the role you care so deeply about.
If you’re curious about whether this kind of support feels like the right fit, I invite you to schedule a free consultation. We can talk about what’s been coming up for you and what you’re hoping for—without pressure to decide anything right away.