Many clinicians know to create lasting therapeutic change in a family, they must get buy-in from the parent(s), but engaging parents in a therapeutic setting can be challenging. Even experienced clinicians sometimes feel they are fighting a losing battle when working with parents who are resistant. Learning to work with parents more effectively increases therapeutic success, decreases cancellations and early termination, and lays the foundation for lasting change in a family.



In this two-hour continuing education web conference, licensed clinical social worker and parenting coach, Mercedes Samudio, LCSW, will focus on what it means to work effectively with resistant parents and keep them engaged during the therapeutic process. She will explain the role a parent plays in a family’s ability to change and successfully maintain those changes, as well as share strategies she has developed to bypass parental resistance and develop a therapeutic alliance that empowers parents and heals families.



Mercedes will share her experience working with parents and educating them on the importance of their role as head of a family system. She will demonstrate how she conveys the importance of the family’s reliance on the strength of a confident parent, especially during times of increased stress and emotional upheaval. Attendees will learn strategies to engage parents, overcome therapeutic barriers, and manage common family system challenges to promote successful healing.



This introductory instructional level web conference is designed to help clinicians:




  1. Explain the process of parental identity development.

  2. Discuss parental defense mechanisms and parent shame.

  3. Describe strategies for developing a therapeutic relationship with parents.

  4. Recognize countertransference when working with parents. 

  5. Implement strategies to manage and document crisis with parents and families.



If you have any questions or concerns about this web conference or would like more information, please contact us here.


How the Web Conference Works

Before the scheduled event, all registered attendees will be sent a reminder email from GoodTherapy.org with specific instructions on how to log in to the web conference center, as well as links to optional handout materials if applicable. 



To attend the event, registered attendees will log in to the web conference center using a computer or device (smartphone or tablet with internet access) and calling in to the teleconference line on a phone. Attendees will be able to ask live audio questions via phone and/or submit text chat questions via their computer or device. Attendees who are logged in to the event center will be able to see live streaming video and/or document sharing. Alternatively, attendees may dial in to the teleconference line only, though attendees dialing in by phone only will be unable to ask questions. 



At the conclusion of this event, participants will receive an email with information about how to request a CE certificate in the GoodTherapy.org Member's Area. To confirm attendance, participants must enter the start and end codes announced at the beginning and end of the live presentation. Participants will also be prompted to complete an online survey evaluating the event. Participants will need to complete this online survey within six days after the event. Once completed, participants will be able to download a copy of their CE certificate instantly. 



For additional information about this event or our CE grievance procedures, please contact us here


Continuing Education (CE) Information

Two CE contact hours will be provided by GoodTherapy.org for attending this web conference in its entirety. 

GoodTherapy.org is an Approved Education Provider by NAADAC, The Association for Addiction Professionals (provider #135463). Of the eight counselor skill groups ascribed to by NAADAC, this course is classified within Counseling Services. 

GoodTherapy.org is an NBCC-Approved Continuing Education Provider (ACEPTM) and may offer NBCC-approved clock hours for events that meet NBCC requirements.

GoodTherapy.org is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. GoodTherapy.org maintains responsibility for this program and its content.

GoodTherapy.org, SW CPE is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers #0395.

GoodTherapy.org, LLC is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed marriage and family therapists #MFT-0022 and for licensed mental health counselors #MHC-0031.

Registration Information

Premium and Pro Membership with GoodTherapy includes access to this web conference at no additional cost, as well as other member benefits such as a profile listing in GoodTherapy's Therapist Directory. Not yet a member? Sign up for a Premium or Pro Membership, here.

Just want CE credits? Sign up for a monthly or annual CE Subscription with GoodTherapy to get unlimited access to our CE Program, including this event, other live CE web conferences, and hundreds of hours of homestudy courses.

Mental health professionals who are not members can attend this live web conference for $30.95 or access the homestudy recording for $15.50. Sign up here to purchase this CE course and earn a CE certificate.

Event Reviews from Members

Great delivery! Enjoyed how she highlighted storytelling, the defense mechanisms that parents employ, and how to address them in a non-defensive, supportive way. - Timeka Hayes, MA, LMHC, CCTP

This is a must-see for clinicians who work with children and families. - Janeen Herskovitz, LMHC

Meet the Presenter

Mercedes Samudio, LCSW

Mercedes Samudio, LCSW is a parent coach, bestselling author, and speaker who helps parents and children communicate with each other, manage emotional trauma, navigate social media and technology together, and develop healthy parent-child relationships. Over the course of her career, Mercedes has worked with adoptive families, foster families, teen parents, parents navigating the child protective services system, and children living with mental illness. 

Mercedes started the #EndParentShaming movement as well as coined the term Shame-Proof Parenting – using both to bring awareness to ending parent shame. She recently published her first book, Shame Proof Parenting: Find Your Unique Parenting Voice, Feel Empowered, and Raise Whole, Healthy Children.

Mercedes is a leading parenting expert and has an amazing following on social media that allows her to reach the hearts of thousands of parents who feel heard and seen on their parenting journey. 

Mercedes has been featured on The Huffington Post, US News and Report, Woman’s Day, LA Parent Magazine, CBS LA, and Kids In The House. She seeks to empower parents to believe that they are already great guides for raising healthy and happy children.

To learn more about Mercedes and her work, please visit www.shameproofparenting.com.

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