Parenting Support & Family Guidance
Therapy for parents navigating conflict, disconnection, or uncertainty at home — with space for everyone to feel seen and supported.
When Parenting Feels Overwhelming
Parenting is deeply meaningful — and incredibly hard. You may love your child more than anything and still feel confused, burnt out, or unsure if you're doing it “right.” When families face ongoing stress, miscommunication, or behavioral challenges, even simple moments can start to feel tense.
You might be:
If family life has started to feel like a battleground, therapy can help you rebuild trust, structure, and connection — with yourself and your child.
How Therapy Can Help with Parenting & Family Dynamics
Parenting support in therapy isn’t about judging your choices — it’s about helping you feel empowered, clear, and grounded. Whether you're parenting toddlers, teens, or launching young adults, I offer a safe, supportive space to explore your struggles and strengthen your skills.
In our work together, we can:
- Identify and shift unhelpful family patterns
- Strengthen parent-child communication
- Support co-parenting and blended family dynamics
- Explore the impact of stress, trauma, or neurodivergence in the home
- Build practical tools for discipline, boundaries, and emotional regulation
My approach is collaborative, not prescriptive — always honoring your values and your child’s needs.
My Approach to Parenting Support
I draw from person-centered, systemic, and mindfulness-based approaches to help parents and families feel more connected, calm, and intentional.
Sessions may involve:
- One-on-one support for parents
- Joint sessions with co-parents or other caregivers
- Parent-child sessions to practice new communication skills
- Exploring how your own childhood or culture influences your parenting today
There’s no one-size-fits-all solution in parenting. My role is to help you find what works for your family.
“Parenting doesn’t require perfection — it requires presence, reflection, and the willingness to grow alongside your child.”
What Clients Say
“Before working with Irene, I didn’t even realize how anxious I was all the time. She helped me slow down, breathe, and feel like I wasn’t broken — just burnt out.”
What Clients Say
“I used to feel like my mind never shut off. Now I feel like I have actual tools that work. And I know I’m not alone.”
What Clients Say
“Irene helped me realize I don’t have to say yes to everything. Learning to set boundaries changed everything.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do you work with parents of children with neurodivergence or special needs?
Yes. I have extensive experience supporting parents of neurodivergent children and helping families adapt with compassion and understanding.
Q: Do both parents need to attend?
Not necessarily. I often work with just one parent, especially when they need support or tools that aren’t contingent on a partner being involved.
Q: What if I’m not the biological parent?
I work with all types of caregivers — step-parents, grandparents, adoptive parents, and others — who play a role in the child’s emotional world.
Q: Is this family therapy or individual therapy?
It can be either. We’ll decide together whether family sessions, parent coaching, or individual support makes the most sense for your goals.
Q: Do you offer sessions online?
Yes — I offer both in-person sessions in Newport Beach and online therapy throughout California.
Schedule a Free Consultation
If you’re feeling stuck or overwhelmed in your parenting journey, therapy can help. Let’s connect and explore how I can support your family’s next chapter.
Maria Irene Alvarez de Schwartz, LMFT 155789
(949) 385-3689
Newport Beach Office
1000 Quail St., Suite 220
Laguna Beach Office
333 3rd St #6
Online Therapy
California Residents Only
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