“This book will become an instant classic. Parent guidance is critical to effective change in child psychotherapy, but there have been few resources for clinicians on how to approach the multiple challenges embedded in such work. This book is filled with clinical wisdom and imbued with deep respect for parents. While keeping the therapist–parent relationship at the forefront, the authors have also packed the volume with practical, clear guidelines for identifying and building parent–child relationship skills. Only thoughtful, compassionate, and experienced therapists like Bronfman and Sagarin could have written this book.”

—Karlen Lyons-Ruth, PhD, Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School


“This is exactly the kind of book I longed to read as I trained to become a child clinical psychotherapist, and the kind of book I would draw on and use in my classes. Written by two wise and remarkable clinicians with years of experience in clinical work, teaching, and research, as well as parenting experience, this is a powerful, rich book that helps us to better understand how to work with parents in child psychotherapy.”

—Teresa Ostler, PhD, School of Social Work (Emerita), University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign


“This is the most comprehensive and accessible book for professionals working with parents that I have read in years. Bronfman and Sagarin tackle a pressing clinical challenge facing psychotherapists today—empowering parents to raise emotionally strong and healthy children in a time of escalating mental health problems. In this wonderful book, nothing is overlooked and everything is anticipated. The authors show how to help parents not only to understand the whole child and become agents of change to improve behavior, but also to take better care of themselves. I found myself immediately beginning to integrate the ideas in this book into my work with clients.”

—Anthony Rao, PhD, private practice, Boston, Massachusetts