About the webinar
Here we will explore what I call the Parent-Child Dance: those transactions between parent and child that occur many times a day, from the morning routine to the bedtime routine, and even the “middle-of-the-night” routine. Dances can go well, smoothly and efficiently. Or, they can be fraught with conflict, frustration, and struggle. These “dances” between parent and child are often well-practiced, and thereby, barely conscious and difficult to change when needed. We will learn how challenging parent-child transactions, largely held together with mutual negative reinforcement, can be identified, made more conscious, and ultimately “rechoreographed” using a three-step process-based model.
Step One, increasing everyone’s awareness, will be introduced using the ACT processes of Present Moment Awareness and Self-as-Context. The concept of Other-as-Context will be introduced.
Learning Objectives:
- Recognize recurring parent–child interaction patterns and distinguish effective exchanges from those marked by conflict.
- Describe how mutual negative reinforcement sustains challenging parent–child interactions and reduces flexibility.
- Apply Present Moment Awareness to notice automatic responses and emotional triggers in real time.
- Use Self-as-Context and Other-as-Context to step back from reactivity and increase perspective and compassion.
- Apply Step One of a process-based model to increase awareness and support more values-guided interactions.
Agenda:
Lecture & Brief Discussion (60 min) – Explore the Parent-Child Dance, learning to identify and consciously “rechoreograph” challenging interactions using ACT-informed strategies, present-moment awareness, Self- and Other-as-Context, and process-based, parent-friendly techniques.
Leading Child Psychologist, Acceptance And Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Chris McCurry, Ph.D., is a Seattle-based clinical child psychologist, husband, and father. He earned a master’s in developmental psychology and a doctorate in clinical psychology, studying with ACT cofounder Steve Hayes. After nearly 40 years in clinical practice, he now leads workshops and writes...
Leading Child Psychologist, Acceptance And Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Chris McCurry, Ph.D., is a Seattle-based clinical child psychologist, husband, and father. He earned a master’s in developmental psychology and a doctorate in clinical psychology, studying with ACT cofounder Steve Hayes. After nearly 40 years in clinical practice, he now leads workshops and writes...
Learning Objectives
Identify recurring parent–child “dances” and distinguish smooth, effective exchanges from those driven by conflict or frustration.
Explain how mutual negative reinforcement maintains challenging interactions and limits flexibility for both parent and child.
Notice automatic responses, emotional triggers, and behavioral sequences as they occur to respond more intentionally.
Step back from reactive roles to increase perspective, compassion, and psychological flexibility in interactions.
Implement Step One of a three-step process-based model to bring conscious awareness to difficult exchanges and support more values-guided responses.
