Consultations with Aletha Solter, Ph.D.

Founder and Director of The Aware Parenting Institute

Aletha Solter is a developmental psychologist, parent educator, and world-renowned expert on attachment-style parenting, non-punitive discipline, and both cognitive and emotional development. Her four books have been translated into many languages. The titles are, The Aware Baby, Helping Young Children Flourish, Tears and Tantrums, and Raising Drug-Free Kids. Dr. Solter has been working with parents since 1978, and has led workshops in 14 countries. In 1990 she founded the Aware Parenting Institute.

Dr. Solter offers private consultations (in English or French), for people who have read at least one of her books or attended one of her workshops. (It is necessary for people to understand and agree with the basic Aware Parenting approach.). She teaches parents how to interact with their children in ways that can enhance the children's development, and how to solve typical behavior problems. Her consultations and workshops are purely educational. She is not a psychotherapist, and does not diagnose children or conduct therapy with either children or adults.

Please note that Dr. Solter does not answer personal questions by e-mail because Aware Parenting does not consist of quick, simplistic answers. Sometimes the key to solving a problem lies in something that parents are not initially aware of. When Dr. Solter talks with parents, she is often able to get at the root of a problem and make helpful suggestions. This is impossible to do by e-mail.

Consultations without children present

Consultations can include any of the following topics concerning children from birth through adolescence. If you wish to discuss more than one child, please schedule a separate consultation for each one.

Crying and tantrums

Sleep problems

Behavior problems

Children's fears

School problems, educational advising

Information about child development (cognitive or emotional)

Parent/infant sessions

Consultations with an infant present include activities to strengthen parent/infant attachment, as well as information and support regarding crying. If you wish to bring your infant for a parent/infant session, please schedule a preliminary consultation without your infant.

Parent/child play sessions

Consultations with older children take the form of facilitating unique forms of parent/child play, which can help to resolve behavior problems while also enhancing bonding and emotional development. If you wish to bring your child for a parent/child session, please schedule a preliminary consultation without your child. After that first session, Dr. Solter will design a parent/child play session that best meets the needs of your family. Please allow one-and-a-half hours for a play session.

How to schedule a consultation

If you wish to have a consultation with Dr. Solter, the best way to reach her is by e-mail (solter@awareparenting.com). If you are in the U.S. you can also leave a telephone message for her at 805-968-1868. Please indicate when you can be reached. Whether you contact her by e-mail or by telephone, please provide the following information:

Which books by Aletha Solter you have read (or which workshops you have attended)

Which country or time zone you are in

What days and times you prefer

Whether you want a telephone, Skype, or in-person consultation

After receiving this information, Dr. Solter will e-mail you a pre-consultation questionnaire to fill out before your appointment, and she will offer you a few appointment times to choose from. She is usually able to schedule appointments within one to two weeks (unless she is on a workshop tour). If you have not read any of Dr. Solter's books or attended any of her workshops, please read at least one of her books before scheduling a consultation with her.

Rates

Consultations by phone, Skype, or in person: $80 per hour (30 minute minimum).

For Europeans, consultations by phone or Skype: 60 EUROS per hour (30 minute minimum).

Payment is due after your consultation. Please inquire about payment methods. This fee does not include any e-mail follow-up advice.

Pre-consultation questionnaire

The pre-consultation questionnaire asks for information about your child, beginning at conception. This information will help Dr. Solter understand your child and your family situation. The questionnaire is free and available upon request (by e-mail) (please specify English or French.) Dr. Solter requests that you fill it out and return it to her by e-mail at least 24 hours before your consultation. Your answers are confidential, and will be seen only by her.

Other sources of support

Please visit our Parent Support Page to learn about other sources of support for Aware Parenting.

This page was last updated on January 12, 2012. Copyright © 1996 to 2012 by Aletha Solter. All rights reserved. No part of this web site may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means,electronic or mechanical (including copying to other web sites, and including translations), without written permission from Aletha Solter, with the exception of printing pages for personal use. This copyright applies to all the pages and articles from the Aware Parenting Institute web site and Shining Star Press.