Talking parenting as a non-parent therapist: How I hold space without having kids
Why would you listen to me talk about parenting teens and building connected, communicative families—when I’m not a parent myself?
It’s a fair question.
What I bring isn’t lived parenting experience—it’s professional insight, deep listening, and a unique kind of objectivity. I’m not navigating sleepless nights or negotiating screen time, which means I have the mental space to untangle what’s really going on beneath the surface. I get to listen—really listen—to what families are saying and what they’re not. As a counsellor, my work is built on understanding emotional complexity and guiding families through the often chaotic, hormone-fuelled transition from childhood to adulthood.
But I also know there’s a world I’ll never fully live—being responsible for another human being, finding the balance between deep love and firm boundaries. That’s real…and I respect it deeply. Still, that doesn’t mean I don’t understand. I’ve spent years sitting with parents, hearing the joys, the fears, and, yes, the frustrations. Hating aspects of parenting doesn’t make you a bad parent, it makes you honest.
My role isn’t to judge, it’s to help. Think of me as someone outside the storm, who can help you read the weather.
Imagine your family’s emotions like a big pot of soup, everyone’s stuff swirling together. Maybe a bit of Dad’s worry, teenage Tasha’s silence, and Mum quietly retreating to her office after work. No one says much about the soup. But maybe someone needs to. That’s where I come in. To help everyone understand the flavours, speak the unspoken, and rebuild connection at the table.
Connection is a language I learned through both its absence and its joy. I know what it feels like to be disconnected—from others and from myself. That journey taught me to cherish authentic, emotionally honest relationships. I believe every child and parent deserves that. I adore working with families. Not because I think I know better, but because I’m committed to helping you thrive. I bring clinical training, emotional clarity, and a deep respect for your lived experience. I want to hear your stories. I want to learn from you, too.