Consultations with Aletha Solter, Ph.D.

Founder and Director of The Aware Parenting Institute

Aletha Solter is a developmental psychologist and world-renowned expert on attachment-style parenting, non-punitive discipline, and trauma resolution with infants and children. 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 twelve 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 philosophy before she can help them.) Her advice covers a wide range of issues concerning children from birth through adolescence, including:

Crying and tantrums

Sleep problems

Feeding problems

Discipline issues

Aggressive behavior and sibling rivalry

Emotional problems, fears, attachment disorders

Trauma resolution

School problems, educational advising

Family conflicts, parental anger or anxiety

Coaching for parent/child play therapy

Please note that Dr. Solter does not answer personal questions by e-mail. 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.

Dr. Solter offers consultations either with or without children present. The ones with children take the form of coaching for parent/child play therapy. She does not work with children unless the parents are also present. If you wish to bring your child for a session, Dr. Solter requests that you schedule a preliminary consultation without your child. After consulting with you, she will design a coaching session that best meets the needs of your family.

All consultations are entirely confidential.

How to schedule a consultation

If you wish to have a phone consultation or an in-person 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, be sure to indicate which books by her you have read, what time zone you are in, and what days or times would work best for you. She 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

Consultation by phone: $60 per hour (30 minute minimum).

Consultation in person: $80 per hour.

For Europeans, the fee for a telephone consultation is 60 EUROS per hour.

Note: These rates are subject to change.

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 created last updated on September 14, 2009. Copyright © 1996-2009 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.