How Gus and His Parents Rebuilt Peace at Home
When Mia and Max moved their young family from Brooklyn to the Seattle area, they knew life would be different. What they didn’t expect was just how hard the transition would hit their 3-year-old son, Gus*.
In a matter of months, Gus lost the familiar rhythms of home, his school, caretakers, neighborhood, and even his bedroom, and the arrival of a new sibling was too much for a little boy to process.
“It was just so much behavior that was like, ‘I’m out of control. Help me,” said Mia. “And as parents, we were struggling to help him feel in control again.”
Gus’ meltdowns turned physical. He was defiant, frequently running out of the house, and would push every boundary, no matter how creative or determined his parents were.
Desperate for support, the family turned to their pediatrician, who recommended YES and its Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) program.
PCIT is a nationally recognized, evidence-based therapy that helps strengthen the connection between parents and children while improving child behavior. With the guidance of a trained therapist, parents play with their child in a special room equipped with a one-way mirror and receive real-time coaching through an earpiece. This method teaches parents how to reinforce positive behaviors and gently correct negative ones.
One moment stands out clearly in Mia’s memory. After introducing an agreed-upon time-out process, Gus, who had previously defied every attempt, stood up, walked calmly to the time-out chair, and sat down.
Today, Gus is thriving. He uses his words to express himself. He accepts consequences, repairs mistakes, and seeks reconnection.
Thanks to community support and funding, families like Gus’ are gaining skills, hope, and healing that ripple throughout their lives. As Mia put it, “This is something every family should have access to. It’s not just parenting, it’s life skills. It’s connection.”
* While the client story told here is true, the name, image, and identifying information have been changed to protect the client’s privacy.
HELPING FAMILIES LIKE GUS’
Gus’ tory would not be possible without the support of our donors. Their generosity helped Gus’ family find support and the space to grow.
You, too, can be a lifeline in a family’s life today by making a gift to provide families with hope for a brighter tomorrow! Whether you donate $5 or $500, every gift will make a difference in the life of a family seeking hope and recovery.
Thanks to donations like yours, no family is turned away because they can’t afford to pay for services.
