In this episode, we explore a modern parenting paradox: how to be a supportive parent without overdoing it. Joining us again is researcher and family systems therapist Phil Kelver from Kansas, USA, sharing insights from his 20-year study of 50 families. Together, we unpack his fascinating research about the effects of over-investing in our children,…
Finding Balance in Parenting: Love, Support, and Space Dr Jenny Brown The Parent Hope Project approach draws inspiration from Bowen family systems theory, specifically the concept of Differentiation of Self. Murray Bowen describes this as the ability to: “be emotionally close to members of their own families or to any other person without fusing into…
Discovering that your child is self-harming is understandably fear-inducing for any parent. Drawing on Bowen family systems theory, PHP invites parents to consider first how they are responding when safety fears are raised – rather than focusing on the details of the self-harm and diagnoses. In this podcast Jenny Brown interviews leading Child and Adolescent…
(Goal setting – how parents setting applicable goals helps a family to function) In this first episode of 2025, Jenny Brown interviews Philip Klever, a clinician and researcher from Kansas City in the USA. Philip describes his research and what it reveals about the variations in what goals parents set and together they explore how…
Guest mini blog – Katie Small counselling katiesmall.com.au It’s a new year and a lot of families are managing an array of big changes including kids starting daycare/preschool/school/high school or kids moving into a new year with new teachers, classrooms and peers. Change is just one of those things that naturally tends to produce some degree of…
Recent studies have found that several of these programs not only failed to help young people but also made their mental health problems worse. Jenny shares some thoughts about this and links it to the Bowen family system ideas of how focusing on a problem in a person can actually project or amplify that problem….
Jenny reflects on parents’ questions about why they would need to be involved in addressing a child’s symptoms if it is from the child’s genetics or brain wiring. Even when genetics plays a part, the research points to the important influence of the child’s environment. Parents can impact the environment in many growth-enhancing ways –…
Jenny shares some thoughts on how the way we respond to a concern is more impactful than just focusing on the content of the issue. We can research problems such as sleep or screen time issues, but all this information can add to a parent’s intensity—considering the effects of our responses on our children is…
And then I need to give you a description: ‘In this episode, Jenny Brown delves deeper into Differentiation-Based Parenting, exploring how this approach extends beyond the parent-child relationship to include the dynamic between parenting partners. Grounded in Bowen family systems theory, Differentiation-Based Parenting shifts the focus from solely addressing children’s needs and vulnerabilities to encouraging…
In this episode, Jenny Brown introduces a title for the Parent Hope Project’s parenting approach. Part one of this series asks the question: Is this just another parenting style with a whole lot of techniques? Part two will explore what this approach looks like beyond the parent-child relationship, extending into the parenting partnership. Differentiation-Based Parenting,…
In this episode of the podcast, Dr Jenny Brown sits down with Clinical Psychologists Ahmed Tohamy and Samantha Pilcher to explore the challenges of school avoidance and how families can support children in re-engaging with education. Ahmed, who recently spoke at the sold-out School-Link Forum Day Event in Illawarra and Shoalhaven, NSW, shares his experience…
In this Episode Jenny is back in the hosting seat with guest Dan Papero. Dr Jenny Brown draws on Dan’s rich experience as a Bowen family systems scholar, teacher and clinician. They explore how our families are both the seedbed for symptoms and a garden of recovery. They explore how parents can contribute to their…
