For Parents of Highly Dependent Adult Children
Emily was an excellent group leader, setting the tone for an open and non-judgmental atmosphere. The experience and advice helped my husband and me work together better, and we have seen a number of successes with our teen, and in our family. I have already highly recommended the group to others!
If you are interested in registering or learning more, please fill out this form.
Failure to Launch treatment is for parents of highly dependent adult children (typically 18-26, but that can vary!) who are stagnant in life. This often looks like children who are: not in education, employment or training; have virtually no social ties, are cloistered, have reversed day/night cycles, often refusing mental health treatment, and often addicted to internet, gaming, or phone use. Parents typically present as: extremely frustrated (“we’ve tried everything!”), self-blaming, isolated from support system (especially on this issue), and anxious about how their own futures will play out with their kid not progressing.
This treatment helps parents control what they can–their own actions to help spark a change. In this program parents will learn about: typical development challenges at this age, how different common diagnoses (anxiety, ADHD, depression, OCD) can impact the typical developmental trajectory and your child’s emotional experience, your boundaries, how you may be unwittingly be contributing to their stagnation (no blame here!), and what you can do to spark motivation and change.
The goals of this group are for parents to understand parental accommodations (the behaviors parents do to help their kids that may be contributing to their lack of functioning) and how do you decrease them, how to increase support to your child, and to reduce shame and isolation about being in this situation.
The gold standard for Failure to Launch syndrome (colloquially known, it is not a DSM disorder) is an approach called Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions (SPACE), a program designed for children that was modified to help young adults and NVR (Non-violent resistance–yes, like Gandhi!). Through this group, I will educate you on how to respond to your young adult’s distress, what to say and not say, how to handle power struggles and problematic behavior, how to set up expectations, and how to help motivate them. This program is currently being offered in group format.
Parenting an adult-child who is not “launching” can be extremely isolating and shame-inducing. You are not alone. In group sessions you will meet other parents who are struggling and receive support, guidance, and treatment on how to help them launch and thrive.
The program includes: 8-group sessions, and a 30m 1:1 check-in half-way through the group, and email feedback on your plan and announcement.
Start date TBD (I run about 3-4 groups/year, so please reach out to get on the waiting list for the next group).
Cost: $560/family for 8-group sessions, 1:1 30m support session halfway through group, and email support. Please note, all participants are required to participate in a 1:1 75m intake session with me, billed at $240.
*This group is run through my coaching practice so I can see clients from all over–not just New York State.
Q: I am still not sure if this is the right fit for my needs. Where can I get more information? A: Please email me and we will set up a phone consultation.
Q: What age should my kid be for this group? A: Typically I see parents of kids who are ages 18-26, but sometimes kids are a bit older, thats OK!
Q: I am not interested in a group. Can we do this work 1:1? A: Yes, I am happy to do that. Let’s chat.
Q: Does my kid participate in this treatment? A: No, just the parents/caregivers. I will teach you how to change your behavior to help spark motivation and increase functioning.
If you are interested in registering or learning more, please fill out this form.
If you have questions, please email Emily at errittenberg@gmail.com.
” I have been doing SOOO much better with my girls. It’s like night and day. Thank you so much again for sharing your insights and positive energy with me and the group. Your class really was phenomenal.”
-Mother of 2 teens
Emily Rittenberg, Licensed Mental Health Counselor 