Parents are often looking for ways to feel more grounded, connected, and confident in their day‑to‑day interactions with their children. Many caregivers share that they’re simply hoping for a little more ease at home, more moments of cooperation, more understanding during big feelings, and more tools to support their child’s growth.
To meet that need, Growth Opportunity Center, a nonprofit mental health organization based in Southampton, is launching the Parent Empowerment Skills Building Group, a program designed to help parents strengthen communication, connection, and emotional attunement with their children.
The group, led by Gina Crowell, a PCIT‑certified licensed professional counselor, blends evidence‑informed parenting tools with a warm, judgment‑free environment where caregivers can learn, practice, and reflect alongside others facing similar challenges. Crowell brings a blend of clinical insight and genuine warmth to her work with families. Parents immediately feel at ease with her non‑judgmental approach, and she has a gift for translating complex child‑development concepts into tools that feel doable in everyday life.
Rather than offering one‑size‑fits‑all advice, the program centers on the idea that behavior is communication and that children thrive when parents feel supported, resourced, and empowered.
Each session focuses on a different theme grounded in child development, attachment, and emotional regulation. Parents learn how to use PRIDE skills to reinforce positive behavior, how to give effective commands that reduce power struggles, and how to help children regulate during moments of big feelings.
The program also includes easy‑to‑understand explanations of how children’s brains work during moments of stress or big feelings. This aids parents and caregivers to understand what’s happening and provide practical tools for building safety, structure, and connection at home.
“Parents often come to us feeling overwhelmed, isolated, or unsure of what to try next,” Crowell said. “This group is designed to remind them that they’re not alone, and that small, consistent shifts in connection and communication can make a meaningful difference in a child’s behavior and emotional world.”
What sets the Parent Empowerment Skills Building Group apart is its emphasis on relationship‑centered parenting. Rather than focusing solely on behavior management, the group helps caregivers understand the emotional needs beneath the behavior. Parents practice slowing down, noticing patterns, and responding with clarity and connection — skills that not only reduce conflict but strengthen the parent-child bond over time.
The group also offers something many parents say they desperately need: a supportive community. Caregivers often share that they feel judged, misunderstood, or pressured to “get it right” without ever being given the tools to do so. In this group, parents can ask questions, share experiences, and learn from one another in a space that is intentionally warm, inclusive, and non‑shaming.
Local families have already expressed enthusiasm about the program’s timing and accessibility. With sessions offered on Saturday mornings and at a low cost of $40 per session, the group is designed to be reachable for working parents, single parents, and families juggling multiple responsibilities. GOC’s long history of serving local communities adds an additional layer of trust and familiarity.
The Parent Empowerment Skills Building Group is especially relevant for caregivers of children who struggle with tantrums, transitions, emotional regulation, or power struggles. It’s also a strong fit for parents who want to deepen their connection with their child, learn new communication strategies, or simply feel more grounded and confident in their parenting.
Crowell emphasized that the goal isn’t perfection; it’s progress. “Parenting is one of the hardest jobs in the world,” she said. “When parents feel supported, children feel supported. When parents learn new tools, the whole family benefits.”
For parents and caregivers who are feeling stretched thin, curious about new strategies, or simply wanting to strengthen their relationship with their child, GOC’s Parent Empowerment Skills Building Group offers a meaningful place to start. The program provides a blend of practical tools, emotional support, and community connection that can help families navigate challenges with more confidence and compassion.
If you’re interested in learning more or registering for the next cycle, set to begin Saturday, March 28, you’re encouraged to call 215-947-8654 or register at Growth Opportunity Center.
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Judy Morrissey is the Executive Director of Southampton-based Growth Opportunity Center. GOC provides quality and compassionate mental health services to adolescents, adults, and families throughout the region. Its mission is to transform life’s challenges into opportunities for growth through a comprehensive continuum of mental health services to the community.
