Seeking Parenting Support Group in Seattle
June 5, 2014 3:05 PM Subscribe
My sister is a mother of twin girls, 14 years old. Just this year one began engaging in "NSSI" (cutting herself) the other was found to be having a sexualized, online affair with a 19 year old girl.
So my dear sister is freaking out and I'm trying to help. Can you recommend a Seattle, WA support group (or a resource I could look through) for parents? I'm thinking it would be helpful for them to connect with others who may be going through the same intense issues. Any advice you have on these issues, also would be appreciated.
So my dear sister is freaking out and I'm trying to help. Can you recommend a Seattle, WA support group (or a resource I could look through) for parents? I'm thinking it would be helpful for them to connect with others who may be going through the same intense issues. Any advice you have on these issues, also would be appreciated.
An FYI about Seattle schools, as it may be relevant: I've worked in just about all of the high schools as a substitute. If your sister is looking for help where the kids go to school, she might do well to start by talking to the people in the school's Teen Health Center / nurse's office. Your mileage will vary dramatically among other staffers & teachers -- every school has its own character, and even within the school some staff are much more helpful than others -- but I've never once been disappointed by the performance of the health staff within the district. They may well be able to point your sister in the right direction regarding support groups, too.
posted by scaryblackdeath at 3:57 PM on June 5, 2014
posted by scaryblackdeath at 3:57 PM on June 5, 2014
Ryther is great and has a variety of services.
The Center for Human Services has a good reputation.
posted by The corpse in the library at 6:00 PM on June 5, 2014
The Center for Human Services has a good reputation.
posted by The corpse in the library at 6:00 PM on June 5, 2014
They should have a family therapist first, and then the therapist is the best resource for recommending parent support groups that would be specifically helpful. It's more likely to be a support group for the girls though.
It's really hard to find online support groups for parents of teenagers in crisis because of privacy issues. And exhaustion. You end up going into very specific disorder subgroups and those can be all weird because they tend to be polarized and maintained by people who are invested in the disorder as identity, not a passing challenge, and can be more terrifying than helpful.
posted by viggorlijah at 6:01 PM on June 5, 2014
It's really hard to find online support groups for parents of teenagers in crisis because of privacy issues. And exhaustion. You end up going into very specific disorder subgroups and those can be all weird because they tend to be polarized and maintained by people who are invested in the disorder as identity, not a passing challenge, and can be more terrifying than helpful.
posted by viggorlijah at 6:01 PM on June 5, 2014
Oh, it's not clear from their website, but I know Ryther works with parents as well as children. Possibly only the parents of children who are in a program at Ryther, but it's worth giving them a call.
posted by The corpse in the library at 6:07 PM on June 5, 2014
posted by The corpse in the library at 6:07 PM on June 5, 2014
Changes and Step Up are both excellent resources for parents, and both run support groups. Step Up is generally focused on violent teenagers, but support all kinds of issues and can help with referrals.
posted by Gorgik at 7:28 PM on June 5, 2014
posted by Gorgik at 7:28 PM on June 5, 2014
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