“Incredible Years”: Bradley Hospital offers new parent group for school age children

Posted Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Bradley Hospital is launching a new weekly parent group to help moms and dads deal with their child’s difficult or challenging behavior.

“Incredible Years” is a group for parents of children between the ages of 6 and 12 who become easily frustrated when things do not go their way, have trouble regulating their emotions and who often refuse to do what adults ask. Parents, who will be divided into two age groups (children 6-8 years and 9-12 years), will learn strategies to not only reduce unwanted behaviors but also increase desired behaviors, such as following directions and tolerating frustration.

“It can be very frustrating as a parent when your child does not do what you want and has trouble controlling his or her emotions, and many parents find spending time with their child is often unpleasant and difficult,” said Angela Stewart, PhD, a clinical psychologist at Bradley Hospital, who will facilitate the groups. “Our goal is to provide parents with strategies to manage challenging behaviors and encourage good behavior in order to help their child learn and grow emotionally and socially and to build positive relationships between parents and their children.”

The groups will meet weekly for three months, and children do not need to be a patient at Bradley Hospital for parents to participate. All parents and/or parental figures are invited. For more information about “Incredible Years,” please call the Bradley Hospital outpatient department at 401-432-1119, email bradleygroups@lifespan.org or visit www.bradleyhospital.org to download the referral form.

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