Parenting and Family
Toddler Tantrums and Parent Stress
When their big feelings meet the last of your patience.
Who This Is For
For the parent trying not to shout back
Your toddler is crying over the wrong cup, dinner is late and you can feel your own voice rising. Knowing they are little does not always make the moment easier.
I am a mother of four and a licensed social worker. I work with parents on their own stress and reactions. We can look at what happens before the tantrum and what you need afterward, without grading your parenting.
What We Work On
What we can talk through
- 01
Your own warning signs
A tight jaw or urge to shout can tell us the pressure is rising. We look for a pause that keeps your child safely supervised.
- 02
Old responses
You may hear words from your childhood coming out of your mouth. We can discuss what you want to keep and what you want to change.
- 03
The late-day pileup
Hunger, interrupted work and dinner demands can collide. A plan for that hour may need another adult’s help, not more patience alone.
How I Work
Skills for the moment, and the pattern
CBT
CBT helps us examine thoughts such as a tantrum means you have failed. We separate a difficult moment from a judgment about your whole role and consider what you can do next.
DBT
DBT skills are for your response: noticing the spike, slowing down and choosing a brief statement. You can hold a limit without trying to settle every feeling immediately.
What Sessions Look Like
A conversation grounded in your week
- Where
- Virtual, from anywhere in New York State
- Length
- 45 to 50 minutes
- When
- Day, evening and weekend times
Bring one recent evening to video therapy. We can trace the requests, your reaction and what support was missing. This work focuses on you; concerns about your child’s development or health belong with their pediatric care professional.
You may want a steadier response, not a home without tears.
What Can Shift
- Recognizing when you need help before your voice rises.
- Using fewer words during a tense moment.
- Returning to a conversation after everyone is calmer.
These are hopes we work toward together, not guarantees.
Parenting and Family
A plan for the 5 pm hour
Before the rush
Consider what can be prepared, postponed or shared. An easier dinner may matter more than another lesson about patience.
During the spike
Keep your child safe. If another trusted adult can take over, ask clearly. We can practice the request and what repair might sound like later.
If you are in crisis or thinking about harming yourself, call or text 988, or call 911.
Fees in Brief
$175
Individual therapy, 45 to 50 minutes
Parent-focused individual work costs $175 per session. We can discuss the evening routine and scheduling during a free 20 to 30 minute consultation.
All sessions are private pay. Superbills available for out-of-network reimbursement. I am in network with Northwell Direct.
See all rates and the cancellation policyQuestions
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this therapy for my toddler?
Can I talk about shouting?
What if my partner responds differently?
Let’s look at the hour that wears you down.
A consultation can help us decide where parent support might begin.