Reducing Stress and Anxiety Through Personalized Parenting: Stanford Parenting Center’s New Online Courses

In an era when the mental well-being of children is paramount, the Stanford Parenting Center (SPC) at Stanford Medicine Children’s Health is tackling this critical issue head-on with their innovative online courses. Created in response to the significant gap in mental health care accessibility, these courses are designed to support families with children across the developmental spectrum, from toddlers to teens and young adults. These courses teach parents, caregivers, and health care providers how to effectively respond to children’s emotional and behavioral challenges as well as foster overall well-being.

The inspiration behind the courses

Clinical psychologist Elizabeth Reichert, PhD, and child and adolescent psychiatrist Mari Kurahashi, MD, specialize in child mental health and parenting support treatments. They are also the co-directors of the Stanford Parenting Center. They emphasize the dire need for these online parenting course programs, which are live with breakout sessions or recorded: “With nearly half of all children in the U.S. in need of mental health care not receiving it,” Dr. Reichert explains, “the Stanford Parenting Center was established to explore alternative strategies to increase families’ access to clinical expertise and care.”

The SPC launched right as the COVID-19 pandemic hit, immediately responding to the escalating mental health challenges faced by families. “Feedback from webinar attendees showed a significant interest in more in-depth, interactive programming on specific mental health topics,” adds Dr. Kurahashi. This interest inspired the SPC to launch its small-group online classes.

Comprehensive support for parents and caregivers

The courses provided by the SPC address common barriers to accessing formal treatment, such as waiting lists, cost, location, and timing. Dr. Kurahashi notes, “Our online courses connect participants with personalized, evidence-based psychoeducation and clinician feedback while reducing the various barriers associated with access to formal treatment.”

These courses also serve as a community hub, where parents can share experiences, fostering a supportive culture. “When parents share their experiences, they often find solace in knowing they are not alone in their struggles,” observes Dr. Reichert. “This emotional support can be invaluable, reducing feelings of isolation and providing a sense of camaraderie.”

Expanding reach and impact

The courses are available online to participants from around the globe, making them an accessible resource even for hospitals with fewer resources. “Participants are able to enroll and join from anywhere in the world,” providing a vital resource for many families, says Dr. Reichert.

Michelle Arteaga is a parent who attended the online course Supportive Parenting for Little Ones With Big Feelings, a class based on Parent-Child Interaction Therapy with Toddlers, which focuses on teaching specialized parenting skills that promote healthy attachment, emotion and behavioral regulation, and listening skills, as well as strategies to support parent well-being, for parents of children ages 1 to 4. “I was looking for techniques and tools to help manage my work-life balance while caring for my twin toddlers,” she says.

Michelle’s trust in Stanford Medicine clinicians spurred her decision to enroll. “The course gave me specific step-by-step actions to engage in quality time and help regulate my child’s emotions, as well as my own,” she shares. “The concept of being a ‘lighthouse for your child in a storm’ really resonated with me.”

Michelle also appreciates the community aspect of these courses and the support it offers parents. “The breakout sessions allowed me to ask for advice from other parents and unload some of the stress I was experiencing. It really felt like a community.” 

Evidence-based strategies and real-world benefits

The online courses incorporate proven strategies from various evidence-based treatments, making them a rich source of practical tools and knowledge for parents. Dr. Kurahashi emphasizes the effectiveness of these strategies: “The courses offer opportunities for participants to practice new skills and ask questions, providing a comprehensive and interactive learning experience.”

Michelle saw significant improvements in her parenting approach and her children’s behavior. “I’ve noticed a difference in how I try to be present with my kids, even with many competing priorities. The more I try to multitask, the more stress it causes,” she says. She highly recommends this course to other parents, advising them to “set aside time to do the valuable homework assignments.”

Global accessibility and ongoing evolution

Looking forward, the SPC team is dedicated to expanding and enhancing their online courses. They have partnered with the Stanford Center for Health Education to develop self-paced modules. “Given parents’ busy schedules and challenges associated with time zones, we hope this will increase the accessibility of our programs to families around the world,” notes Dr. Reichert.

The next online course will take place this fall on Mindful Parenting, teaching mindfulness practices that help reduce stress, cultivate self-compassion, and improve overall well-being.

The Stanford Parenting Center’s online courses are more than just educational resources; they are lifelines for parents and caregivers around the world. Through evidence-based practices, community support, and innovative online accessibility, these courses are making a meaningful difference in families’ lives, one session at a time.

To dive deeper into the Stanford Parenting Center’s online courses, and to hear more from our experts, watch the full Q&A session on the Stanford Medicine Children’s Health YouTube channel. Dr. Reichert addresses a wide range of related questions, offering detailed information and practical advice for parents and caregivers.