Why parents need therapy!
Being a parent is perhaps the most rewarding role one can have. It makes you feel complete, adds to your purpose in life and its just such a wonderful feeling to have your own lil children around, running , jumping and laughing. Such Bliss!
Then comes the part where you forget the bliss, and just want to pull out your hair! The fun and laughter, turns in to exasperated pleas to “eat your cereal, do your homework or be careful, you’ll fall”. And if you’ve got teenagers, it’s a different ball game all together. Here you are trying to be their friend, do all that the self help books on teens tell you, and all it needs is a “ get off my back mom!” or “ I hate you, you don’t even care” from your kid, to make your emotions go flying off the handle and you too, like your teen, are venting, yelling, justifying about how much you are trying and they cant see that, and that its for “your own good”.
It is natural to lose control occasionally, but slowly, along with your job stress, daily house chores, social obligations, avoiding the extra calories, trying to find time for your spouse and failing to find any time for yourself, you start getting irritable with your child’s tantrum more and more and more!
Here! exactly here, is the time, you need to stop, take a step back, and remember how you never wanted to be at this stage. Exhausted, frustrated and feeling guilty.
We believe that we will be able to manage all aspects of our lives, perfectly. Infact, we believe we “should” be able to manage all aspects of our lives perfectly. Hence, we do not seek guidance till things go completely over our heads.
The longer we wait to get help, the more the damage is already done.
So instead of going through this chaos, do the best thing you can do for yourself: ie: to get guidance from a therapist.
- Am I unable to focus on my studies/work because I keep thinking about gaming or social media?
- Is it keeping me from going out with family or friends?
- Do I lose sleep and appetite over it?
If your answer to any of these is “yes”, maybe it’s time you acted on the information. Here are some tips:
- Allow yourself to be guided in ways that will work the best for you and your family.
- Allow yourself to de-stress, by venting out in a safe space.
- Allow yourself to see your children with new perspective.
- Allow yourself to become easier on yourself.
- Allow yourself to be open to new parenting styles.
- Allow yourself to seek a therapist.
By Dr.Jyotika Aggarwal
Clinical Psychologist
If you would like to talk, feel free to reach out to us. An LifeWorks therapist would be able to help.
Dr. Naeema Ali trained psychology and social worker students of UAE University. She is actively providing counselling support to cancer patients and their families. She launched an occupational therapy for cancer patients and cognitive behavioural therapy in Tawam.
Due to her continued support in oncology and ongoing support to cancer patients, Naeema received countless awards locally and international to recognize her achievements and skills. She has been invited to participate in various conferences and workshops around the world and invited as a guest speaker in various subjects that covers psychology.
She also joined Al Sayegh Medical Center as a Social Worker, providing comprehensive assessment and treatment services to children and families, in inpatient and/or outpatient settings, and communicates with referral sources as indicated by applying psychometric test, such as IQ Test, MMPI, Wechsler Test for children. Exhibit superior communication skills to uncover complicated mental health issues; develop and recommend treatment plans based on patient needs and diagnosis.
She continued working as a clinical psychologist providing counselling within the multi-cultural environment of the Emirates Airlines for the past 15 years. Her main task is providing mental health support to inflight and ground staff and addresses any problems, anxieties, or job-related stresses that they are dealing with. She uses her findings to help improve processes and behaviors of a patient to maintain a safe environment, to manage stress, overcome trauma, or avoid job-related conflicts. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is the method Naeema is using to reduce the difficulties, anxieties, and stress that employee faces.
Naeema is also part of “ Shawer ”, the “Seek Our Advice”, and “We Listen To You” program of the Family Development Foundation of Abu Dhabi. The aim of the program was to promote family awareness and support a stable family life. It involves a group of community members who deal with family problems in a positive manner and provide individual and group counseling in social, psychological, and educational areas. They do so in a systematic way according to the needs of community members.
Besides “ Shawer ”, Naeema is also a volunteer of “ Friends of Cancer ” of Sharjah, supporting patients and their families to overcome the multitude psychological difficulties that they are experiencing due to cancer treatment as well as introducing some programs such as health education, self-care and some community programs wherein they can collaborate and share their experiences.
Area of interest:
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Psycho-oncology
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CBT
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Psychometric Assessments
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Children, Adults and Family therapy
Qualification and Membership:
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Psychology graduation from the University of Wisconsin
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Licensed by Community Development Authority
Dr. Mohammed Bardi M.B.B.S, M.D (Psychiatry) has worked under different capacities in clinical and hospital setups in Saudi, USA, and UAE. He comes with over 15 years of experience in mental health. He specifically worked with cases relating to schizophrenic, bipolar disorder, dual diagnosis, major depressive disorder with suicidal risks, anxiety disorders, Intellectual disabilities, Autistic spectrum disorders and attention deficit hyperactivity disorders (ADHD).
Area of interest:
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Mood disorders
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Anxiety disorders
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Improving life skills (social skills, self- esteem, decision making, coping with stress, problem solving, and time management)
Qualification and Membership:
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MBBS COLLEAGUE OF MEDICINE, KING SAUD UNIVERSITY 2003 (KKU).
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ARAB BOARD OF MEDICAL SPECIALTIES IN PSYCHIATRY 2007
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ANXIETY DISORDERS WORKSHOP (DIPLOMA), 2010
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ADDICTION FELLOWSHIP UCLA, USA, 2010-2011
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ADDICTION RESEARCH AND MATRIX TRAINING, ISAP, UCLA, LOS ANGELES, CA, USA 2014-2015
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BACHELOR’S DEGREE OF MEDICINE AND SURGERY
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ARAB BOARD OF MEDICAL SPECIALTIES IN PSYCHIATRY
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ADDICTION FELLOWSHIP UCLA 2011, 2015
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BETTY FORD CERTIFICATE, ADDICTION PROGRAM 2010
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CDA) Licensed Psychologist
Therapeutic Approach:
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At LifeWorks Holistic Counselling Center Dubai, Dr. Bardi works collaboratively within our expert multidisciplinary team, in treating a wide array of psychiatric conditions including:
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Anxiety disorders
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Substance use disorders
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Mood disorders including depression and Bipolar affective disorders
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Psychotic disorders (Schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders)
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Personality disorders
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Cognitive disorders including Dementia
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Learning disabilities (intellectual disability disorders)
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Child and adolescents’ disorders like Separation anxiety disorders, conduct
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disorders and ADHD