Child & Family Counseling Group

Lately, I've spoken to several couples who are in that awful/scary first stage of separation: one partner has been thinking about leaving for a long time the other is shocked at the idea. Both are scared about the future. Sometimes, I recommend Discernment Counseling (I know two clinicians who do this very well). Sometimes, though, we need to figure out how to move forward with a divorce in the most respectful and reassuring way we can.

I always recommend the Divorce Options(R) Class for people in this early stage. It's free, live online, and a chance for people to get many of their questions answered. What we've found is that our methodical way of going through the process choices and the kinds of issues that people with have to deal with in divorce is calming for most people. Part of the fear at this stage, of course, is the Unknown.

If you know someone who is considering divorce, please do send them to the class. It's happening live Saturday June 15 from 10-12:30. We've started recording the classes, so they should RSVP even if they can't come at that time, and we can send them the recording. RSVP is [email protected]. More information is at www.nocourt.org.

Hi everyone,

I've been a child therapist for forty years, and the surprising but real reaction of many children when hearing that their parents are going to divorce is: why didn't you do this sooner?

Don't get me wrong, divorce can be devastating for children. Unfortunately, living in family with high conflict or just unspoken tension between the parents can be devastating too.

So. Nothing to do but work toward the best possible outcome given the circumstances: the parents separate but are able to create a peaceful co-parenting relationship post-divorce. If you know someone who is considering divorce and wants to work toward doing the best thing for the kids, then please send them to the Divorce Options(TM) class. It's online, free, and we will record the class so that registrants can watch it later if they can't make it live.

What those of us who work in divorce know is that process determines outcome. In the class, we talk about the four process options in CA and the pros and cons of each when it comes to the outcome parents want. We also go through the legal, financial, and parenting aspects of divorce.

To RSVP and get the link or the recording, email [email protected].

More information:

Divorce Options Info - How a Divorce Options® Workshop Can Help You If you are facing divorce or separation, you have choices! Attend a low-cost Divorce Options® workshop presented by experts who have guided others through divorce.

We're offering our Divorce Options class again this Saturday April 20, 10am-12:30pm. It's free, and we've gotten so much positive feedback from attendees in the past! Please pass this information along to anyone you know who is considering divorce. Information is power! RSVP to [email protected]. We are planning to record the class so RSVP even if you can't make the time! More information at

Collaborative Practice Silicon Valley – Resolving Conflicts Without Court since 1993 An association of conflict resolution experts located in the Silicon Valley area of California, who provide divorce, estate and trust, and alternative dispute resolution services with the goal of resolution in a respectful and mutually agreed-upon process, without court.

Parenting is hard. Parenting with depression is harder. And it's hard on the kids too.

Angela Dube, LMFT, coworker of CFCG since 2017, has recently been quoted in a Psych Central article titled Your Questions Answered: How to Parent with Depression. In the article there are some details related to what parenting with depression may look like as well as tips on how to support yourself and your kids during this challenge.

If this is a topic of interest to you, here's a link to the article!

https://psychcentral.com/depression/how-to-parent-with-depression?utm_source=ReadNext&fbclid=IwAR2mQTzFKZjpTn7kLYJTgaB4kImQmx9yu57gxwx4nCbLG6GHfU3YnSrIoUA

Parenting with Depression: FAQs, Tips, Help, and More Living with depression as a parent can be challenging. But educating your children about your condition, learning to manage your symptoms, and practicing self-compassion can help.

Read our newest blog post to learn how to manage conflict with your teen, or anyone for that matter!

we've all been there... Handling Conflict with Your Teen, or Anyone for that Matter!

Happy Holidays from CFCG!

stay healthy!

Gratitude: The Antidote to Entitlement

Gratitude: The Antidote to Entitlement By Beth Proudfoot, LMFT When I ask parents about their goals for their children, the most common answer is, “I just want them to be happy.” Ironically, the path to that goal of happy children is NOT to give them what they want. This is counter-intuitive, and many, if not most, parents fall into ...

It’s not uncommon for parents to put the needs of their children above themselves. It’s hard not to. When they are first born, they are so vulnerable and literally need us to do everything for them. As they grow older, they learn to do more for themselves (thank goodness) but also still need a lot of support from us. It’s easy for us to forget ourselves, our own needs, and identities.

However, when parents focus on their own needs more, children thrive.

Parents Need Support Too by Angela Dube, LMFT It’s not uncommon for parents to put the needs of their children above themselves. It’s hard not to. When they are first born, they are so vulnerable and literally need us to do everything for them. As they grow older, they learn to do more for themselves (thank goodness) bu...

Parenting Post-Pandemic #3 - Managing Negative Emotions

Free parenting class Tuesday 10/4 at noon

Let's face it, we're all "up to here!" In this class, we'll learn how to manage our own anger and worry, and how to help our children with theirs with specific strategies that work to both calm our emotions and change our behavior.

Stress, Anger...and Children! by Beth Proudfoot, LMFT Next parenting class coming up this Tuesday, 10/4 at noon. Parenting Post-Pandemic #3 - Managing Negative Emotions Let's face it, we're all "up to here!" In this class, we'll learn how to manage our own anger and worry, and how to help our children with theirs with specific s...

Hi everyone,
I'm continuing my Parenting Post-Pandemic series through the Santa Clara County Public Library with another talk this Tuesday at noon. This one is about how to handle it when you're angry at your kids...or when they're angry at you! Please pass this notice and link to anyone you know who might be interested!
Thanks!
Beth

Parenting Post-Pandemic #3 - Managing Negative Emotions

Let's face it, we're all "up to here!" In this class, we'll learn how to manage our own anger and worry, and how to help our children with theirs with specific strategies that work to both calm our emotions and change our behavior.

Can't make it today? No worries, we will record the class for those who can't attend live.

Beth Proudfoot, LMFT, is a parent educator, child therapist and author. She's also the parent of three young men who gave her ample experience, back in the day, with parental anger.

LINK for the live class:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83116014213?pwd=Y1hSL0IxRXdWa2MxU1p0RXY2anJGdz09

Recordings of Class 1 and 2 can be found at: https://www.childfamilygroup.com/classes-groups

Free Parenting Class!

Need happiness? We're all experiencing the fall-out from the Pandemic, not only the grief about all of our losses, but serious anxiety about the future...and the present. In this second class of the Parenting Post-Pandemic series, we'll dive into how to exercise our Happiness Muscles in order to be the calm, centered parents we all strive to be. AND, because our kids' happiness is our #1 concern, we'll share how kids can build resilience and contentment, too!

Free parenting class Happiness is FREE!

Okay, let's rewind and try that Parenting Post-Pandemic Class again!

So...we had some technical problems...Technically, Beth is not very good with technology! AND...everyone who signed up through the Santa Clara County Public Library got the wrong link for the first class. AND...the wrong button might have been pushed when it was time to Record. Sigh. Let's try again. Here's our new dates and a good link (fingers crossed). Hope you can join us! Hope we'll have a good recording if the times aren't convenient and you want to watch it later. Hope that you and your family are doing well in these stressful times!

free parenting class: New dates! Parenting Post-Pandemic

Calm the Chaos: A Free Class presented by our Clinical Director, Marte Matthews. Click to learn more and reserve your spot!

Calm the Chaos and Tame the Tantrums: 8 Tips to Build Better Mental Health-A Free Class By Marté J. Matthews, LMFT Calm the Chaos and Tame the Tantrums: 8 Tips to Build Better Mental Health for You, Your Partner, and Your Kids Please join us at 6:30 pm on September 12 for a Zoom presentation to help your mental health. Marté J. Matthews, family therapist and Clinical Director of Chil...

Beth's book launch is today! Buy on amazon for $1.99 today only.

book launch is today! Beth Proudfoot's book launch is TODAY

Your four-year-old comes home from Pre-K complaining her friend called her stupid. Your 3-year-old has a raspberry on his knee and a story about a mean kid who pushed him. Your kindergartener tells you that her friend told her at school that she wasn’t invited to her birthday party because she’s Chinese. Ack! What’s a parent supposed to do?!

First, don’t panic. All of this behavior is actually…normal. If it helps, try to remember that your small child is probably not the most accurate reporter, you don’t know the context, and the wise teachers at your child’s school are the best people to handle these mistakes in the moment. Deep breaths.

New Blog Post Dealing with Preschool Meanies

Our Founder, Beth Proudfoot, is excited about the launch of a new anthology, Awakened Leaders: Empowering Stories of Self-Healing, Triumph and Transformation. She has an inspirational chapter in this wonderful collection. To raise awareness about the project, she's going to reveal her chapter title at the AWAKENED LEADERS BOOK TALK Speaker Summit on March 24 at 4pm. Please come! Here's the link: https://bit.ly/3qNhH8j

AWAKENED LEADERS BOOK TALK Speaker Summit by Beth Proudfoot, LMFT Our Founder, Beth Proudfoot, is excited about the launch of a new anthology, Awakened Leaders: Empowering Stories of Self-Healing, Triumph and Transformation. She has an inspirational chapter in this wonderful collection. To raise awareness about the project, she's going to r...

Join us online, March 15th from 6:30-7:30pm for a free parenting class!
Panicked to Peaceful Parenting: How to Enjoy Parenting Again (Most of the Time)
Register online through the Santa Clara County Library district's website:
https://sccl.bibliocommons.com/events/search/local_start=2022-03-15%20TO%20&fq=branch_location_id:(BC_VIRTUAL)/event/621e80f4ee692328005982f6

Panicked to Peaceful: How to Enjoy Parenting Again (Most of the Time) By Rachel Martin, LMFT Child & Family Counseling Group is pleased to be teaming up with the Santa Clara County Library again to offer this parenting class on March 15, 2022. Lately do you find yourself stressed out all the time? Is it hard to recall an interaction with your child that didn’t end i...

The holidays aren't always joyful. And that's okay.

Searching for Joy By Rachel Martin, LMFT It’s the most wonderful, fun, busy, (overwhelming?) time of the year… Anyone else find that you’re struggling to concentrate or follow through on basically everything lately? Our desire to have a “normal” holiday season has us all running in 12 directions at once to ...

We all want to teach our kids to be resilient. Marte Matthews has some tips on how to do it!

Parenting Resilient Kids By Marté J. Matthews, LMFT When little people are overwhelmed by big emotions, it is our job to share our calm, not join in their chaos. –L. R. Knost se are stressful times. Even as we enjoy a Life here in Silicon Valley is hectic. The news can seem pretty bleak. We can’t protect kids from all ...

This is a great time of year to teach our kids the art of gratitude.

Happy Holidays!

Teaching Our Kids the Art of Gratitude by Angela Dube, LMFT This time of year is a great time to reflect on what we are grateful for. It has certainly been a challenging year and a half, and yet here we are about to celebrate Thanksgiving. Practicing gratitude has been shown to increase overall feelings of happiness and love. It’s easy...

Crying in front of your kids? Our founder, Beth Proudfoot, was quoted in a recent article in Good Housekeeping Magazine on this topic. Yep. It is okay to cry in front of your kids.
https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/life/parenting/a34874657/crying-in-front-of-kids/

I Cry in Front of My Kid — And I Don't Worry About Hiding My Tears Anymore Turning on the waterworks every now and then can actually be beneficial to children.