Parenting is a significant developmental task— have you ever heard the saying that our children grow us up too? Parenting is about more than caregiving– it stretches our emotional, psychological, and relational capacities too.
Many of the emotional triggers parents experience—like intense frustration, fear, guilt, or anxiety—aren’t just about our children’s behavior.
These emotional responses are not random– they’re often echoes of our own early life experiences and attachment histories. In this way, parenting becomes not only an external interaction with a child but also an internal encounter with our own unresolved material.
Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy offers a structured, evidence-informed model to help parents navigate this self-development journey.
A Win-Win for Parent & Child
When parents feel triggered by their child’s behavior—whether in moments of defiance, emotional intensity, or even simple daily stressors—IFS provides a framework for identifying the internal "parts" of the self that are being activated. Rather than pathologizing these responses, IFS helps parents relate to them with curiosity and compassion, reducing reactivity and increasing emotional regulation.
This approach allows for deeper insight into one’s internal world, while fostering a more attuned and responsive connection with their child.
Parenting Is a Journey of Growth—For Everyone
One of the most beautiful aspects of IFS is how it reframes parenting as an opportunity for self-discovery. Your child’s behavior isn't just something to manage– it’s also an invitation to grow.
When a child "pushes your buttons," IFS asks:
- What part of me is being activated right now?
- What does this part need?
- How can I bring Self-energy to this moment?
This inner work doesn't just shift your parenting– it ripples out to your children. They begin to feel more seen, safer, and more empowered to explore their own emotional worlds.
The Real Gift: Modeling Emotional Resilience
When parents do this work, the benefits extend far beyond our own internal peace. We model:
- Emotional regulation
- Repair after conflict
- Taking responsibility with humility
- The courage to grow, even when it’s hard
In doing so, we give our children permission to be fully human, too.
Why Choose Eckert Centre?
At Eckert Centre, we understand that parenting is as much about personal healing as it is about caregiving. Through evidence-based approaches like Internal Family Systems therapy, we help parents uncover the roots of emotional reactivity and grow into more connected, compassionate caregivers.
- Wrap-around family care– from pregnancy & postpartum to teens & beyond
- Specialized perinatal mental health care
- Expert grief and loss support
- Safe, non-judgmental space
- Streamlined payment and insurance reimbursement options
Flexible Therapy Options
- Calgary counselling in-person
- Online counselling Alberta-wide
Schedule a Consultation Today
We’re here to walk with you through the emotional terrain of parenting—one step, one part, one moment at a time.
Call us: 403-230-2959
Visit: www.eckertcentre.com
Book online: Online Booking
Email us: info@eckert-psychology.com
