Dr. A D Mahapatra, an experienced counseling and clinical psychologist in Kolkata, offers comprehensive advice to parents rooted in fostering a supportive home environment, effective communication, and non-medication, psychotherapy-based strategies to address a wide range of childhood and adolescent challenges.
Key Areas of Advice for Parents
His advice is primarily centered on proactive parenting and collaboration with the family unit to promote overall mental well-being and healthy development.
1. Fostering a Supportive and Nurturing Home Environment
- Emotional Support: Create a safe, confidential, and empathetic space where children and adolescents feel comfortable expressing their feelings without judgment.
- Understanding and Empathy: Recognize that a child’s mental health is intrinsically tied to their family environment. He guides parents on how their own interactions affect the child’s well-being.
- Building Trust: Focus on creating an environment of trust and open communication to help children feel heard and validated.
2. Implementing Effective Parenting Strategies
- Positive Reinforcement: Dr. Mahapatra emphasizes using positive parenting strategies rather than punitive measures.
- Understanding Developmental Milestones: He helps parents understand what behaviors are typical for certain age groups, which manages expectations and identifies genuine issues early.
- Adjusting Communication Styles: Parents are guided on how to adjust their communication approaches to be more effective and conducive to their children’s mental and emotional health.
3. Addressing Specific Behavioral and Emotional Challenges
- Identifying Root Causes: Through psychoanalysis and assessments (including psychometric testing), he helps parents uncover the underlying issues contributing to behaviors like anxiety, hyperactivity, or mobile addiction, rather than just treating symptoms.
- Medication-Free Interventions: His core philosophy is to provide support without relying on pharmaceuticals, using evidence-based therapeutic techniques tailored to individual needs.
- Collaboration: He works closely with parents as caregivers and part of the therapeutic team, providing guidance and support to implement strategies at home effectively.
4. Managing Modern Challenges (e.g., Smartphone Use)
- Role Modeling: Parents should model healthy digital habits themselves, as children learn from observing their parents.
- Setting Boundaries: Establish clear family media plans with consistent rules regarding screen time, designating tech-free zones (e.g., mealtimes, bedrooms), and encouraging physical activity.
- Active Engagement: Rather than just restricting time, parents should be actively involved in monitoring content, co-viewing, and having open discussions about digital safety and usage.
For further, detailed guidance and support in navigating parenting challenges, parents in Kolkata can seek formal parental counseling with Dr. A D Mahapatra at his clinic, as outlined on the Mon Ke Niye website.
MON KE NIYE (Mental Health Counselling Centre)
Dr. AD Mahapatra (Clinical Psychologist)
Tirupati Apartment
DB 3/1 Rail Pukur Road, Baguiati, Kolkata 700059.
Location:-
Baguiati VIP Road and Joramandir Crossing
From – VIP Road-Through VIP Sweet Lane, On the way of Rail Pukur Road- opposite of CESC Cash Office
Consultancy fees- 1000/–
CHAMBER OPEN:-
Monday to Saturday- 10 am -1 pm. And 4 pm to 10 pm.
For Appointment-
033 2576 0196 | 9836089887 | 8017360852
E-mail: monkeniye@gmail.com
