Adolescent-Parent Relationship Therapy

APRT (Adolescent-Parent Relationship Therapy) helps parents strengthen their relationships with their young adult children through evidence-based techniques tailored to individuals aged 18 and older. This therapeutic approach fosters better communication and emotional connection in the parent-adolescent relationship.

What is APRT?

Adolescent-Parent Relationship Therapy (APRT) is an evidence-based therapy designed to improve relationships between parents and their adolescents (ages 18+). This approach helps families address emotional and behavioral challenges through structured, goal-oriented sessions. APRT empowers parents to foster stronger, more understanding relationships with their adolescents while encouraging emotional growth and independence.

How APRT Can Help You and Your Adolescent

When adolescents feel heard, understood, and supported in their relationships with their parents, they are more likely to develop confidence, self-awareness, and resilience. APRT helps young adults express their emotions, resolve conflicts, and strengthen familial bonds in a safe, therapeutic environment.

When to Consider APRT

You might consider APRT if you:

1. Feel disconnected from your adolescent.
2. Struggle to communicate effectively with your young adult child.
3. Experience frequent conflicts or misunderstandings.
4. Want to rebuild trust and emotional closeness.
5. Notice persistent behavioral or emotional challenges in your adolescent.

How APRT Works

APRT focuses on fostering a supportive, collaborative environment where parents and adolescents learn to communicate more effectively. Through guided sessions, parents are taught practical skills to connect with their young adult children, while adolescents learn how to express themselves constructively.

A Typical APRT Session
APRT is typically conducted in a series of weekly sessions over 8–12 weeks. During each session, participants learn new communication and relationship-building techniques, practice these skills in a supportive setting, and receive feedback from a trained APRT facilitator. Homework assignments may include applying these techniques during real-life interactions between sessions.

Goals of APRT

• Build trust and mutual respect between parents and adolescents.
• Help parents and adolescents understand each other’s needs and emotions.
• Strengthen problem-solving and conflict resolution skills.
• Foster a greater sense of closeness and connection within the family.
• Empower adolescents to develop healthy independence while maintaining strong family ties.

How APRT Can Help Parents

APRT helps parents to:

• Develop greater empathy and understanding for their adolescent’s experiences.
• Communicate more effectively with their young adult children.
• Provide support while encouraging healthy independence.
• Navigate challenging transitions, such as entering adulthood or starting college.
• Address and resolve recurring conflicts or miscommunications.
• Skills Taught in APRT
• Active listening and reflective communication.
• Emotion validation and supportive feedback.
• Collaborative problem-solving.
• Setting and maintaining healthy boundaries.
• Navigating difficult conversations with respect and understanding.

How to Know if APRT is Right for You

APRT may be a good fit for your family if:

• You want to improve your relationship with your adolescent.
• You feel that communication in your family could be stronger.
• You’re seeking practical, evidence-based strategies to address conflicts.
• If your adolescent is facing more severe challenges that cannot be addressed through relational therapy, additional individual or family therapies may be recommended.

Alternatives to APRT

• Family Therapy: Focuses on improving dynamics within the entire family unit.
• Individual Adolescent Therapy: Addresses specific challenges faced by young adults, such as anxiety or depression.
• Parent Management Training (PMT): Equips parents with tools to address behavioral challenges in adolescents.