The Power of Building Positive Relationships When the World Feels Like it is Coming Undone

By Valerie Potts, MA, LMHC

Here in my home State of Washington, we’ve been on the front lines and headlines of the Covid-19 pandemic longer than just about anywhere else in the country, and the economic, social, and psychological toll it is taking on children and families is unprecedented. In the best of times, families seek me out for guidance in addressing behavior challenges at school, on the playground, and at home.  Covid-19 has taken away school and recess for most families, and all that intensity generated by families feeling cooped up at home with the added stresses of a global pandemic can be a real challenge for the best of us!   

For the past 7 years, I have built my practice around The Nurtured Heart Approach ®, a relationship focused methodology for helping children and adults to use their intensity in successful ways.  This simple and accessible approach provides parents, grandparents, teachers, and the children in their lives with a framework for building their relationships by channeling their child’s intensity in creative and constructive ways.   And in these challenging times, the families I support are finding that using that intensity to build positive relationships can yield positive benefits which grow nearly as exponentially as the coronavirus itself.

What I really appreciate about The Nurtured Heart Approach, is that once it is learned and practiced, my clients are able to graduate from my services and move on with their lives with new tools in their toolbox -- often having also learned to use the approach on themselves to help navigate the rough patches that come with any day as a human in a complex and busy world..

Let’s face it, parenting, teaching and caregiving of children is challenging at the best of times.  Having access to proven tools that excel during periods of unusual intensity, but continue to deliver results when life is eases up, is a great gift.  Watching families embrace these tools, and move forward with the relationships they desire brings me much joy, and I enjoy watching my clients continue to make progress and improve their relationships even in these difficult times.

If you are interested in adding some new skills to your parenting or caregiving toolbox, I encourage you to learn more about The Nurtured Heart Approach ® and consider a consultation with a practitioner near you by searching here. 

About: Valerie Potts, MA, is a licensed child and family therapist based in Washington’s Methow Valley.  Valerie works locally with parents, caregivers and children in her Winthrop office, and state-wide over a web-based tele-health platform.  You can learn more about Valerie and her work, and The Nurtured Heart Approach ® and how to contact her at http://www.counselingforchildren.org/