PEP Home Parent Encouragement Program


Open Forum Counseling



Friday, February 24, 2012 Power Struggles: How Kids Can Solve Our Parenting Problems

Saturday, March 10, 2012 Homework Battles: Negotiating a Peace Treaty

Other Open Forum Info (Location, Childcare, etc.)

Some Commonly Asked Questions About "Open Forum Counseling"


Friday, February 24, 2012  •  Power Struggles: How Kids Can Solve Our Parenting Problems

For all parents. For children ages 9 and up with their parents.

Moderator: Barbara Fairfield is an Adlerian therapist with more than 20 years experience working with individuals, couples, families and groups.

Children understand a lot more of the big picture of their behavior than parents usually think, and at PEP's Open Forum Counseling sessions, the kids talk about it! Come and get advice from experts -- a panel of school-age kids and young teens -- on how to resolve power contests.

Friday, 2/24/12   •   7:30 - 9:30 pm   •   Kensington, MD   •   (childcare available)  •  #701

To register online, click   and scroll through the chronological list of programs until you find the open forum in which you are interested.

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Saturday, March 10, 2012  •  Homework Battles: Negotiating a Peace Treaty

For all parents. For children ages 9 and up* with their parents.

Moderator: Emory Luce Baldwin, LCMFT, is both an experienced PEP leader and a marriage and family therapist. In her private practice she provides parent consultations and family therapy with adults, adolescents and children.

Tired of homework? Listen in as the Adlerian moderator works with a family on this issue, and gain insights on how to turn over school responsibilities to your children and encourage their best efforts without nagging.

Saturday, 3/10/12   •   6:30 - 8:30 pm   •   Kensington, MD   •   (childcare available)  •  #702

* The children in the demonstration family being counseled may be younger than age 9.

To register online, click   and scroll through the chronological list of programs until you find the open forum in which you are interested.

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Other Open Forum Information

Preregistration with Payment Required
Phone (301-929-8824 or 703-242-8824) or mail (PEP, 10100 Connecticut Avenue, Kensington, MD 20895) registration and fee for Open Forum Sessions.

The Open Forum program and on-site childcare run for two hours. Participants are invited to stay after for 30 minutes for a follow-up discussion with the moderator, but must pick up children from PEP's on-site childcare first.

Location: PEP Office, Kensington

Cost: PEP members: Free
Nonmembers: $12/adult; $5/child (9 years and up - when topic permits)
maximum of $25/family





Childcare: is available during Open Forum Session if you call at least one week ahead to register your children and pay in advance. All children must be picked up after the two-hour program is finished.

Childcare Cost: $12/first child; $8/each additional child from same family. Call 301-929-8824 or 703-242-8824 to sign up for childcare.

See Childcare for more information on childcare policies.

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Open Forum Counseling FAQ

What is it?

Open forum counseling is a unique opportunity for continuing to learn about one's own behavior and the behavior of others, adults and children alike. Powerful learning occurs when an actual family, couple, teacher, individual or parent works together with an Adlerian moderator to educate the audience using real life challenges. Common dilemmas such as power struggles, allowances, homework, loss, or balancing home and work are explored. These sessions are for anyone interested in human and family dynamics.

What is accomplished through this unusual approach?

After interviewing the subjects and discussing the personal and group (family or classroom) dynamics, concrete and often highly creative suggestions are made. Every person can find parallels between the situation presented and his or her own experiences. Everyone learns, contributes to the understanding of others and leaves encouraged.

Who is it for?

Parents, teachers, counselors, children age 9 and up and anyone else interested in human and family dynamics.

Membership benefit?

Free for PEP Members. Click here for information on membership.

Family benefit?

Priceless! An on-going way to grow and improve interpersonal effectiveness.

Who gets to be counseled?

Call the PEP office if you or your family would like to volunteer as "co-educators." Suggestions for specific topics are welcome as well. Several times a year discussions provide the points of view of children or teenagers on a particular subject, such as "Making and Keeping Friends," or "Homework and Housework."

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Parent Encouragement Program  •  10100 Connecticut Avenue  •  Kensington, MD 20895  •  301-929-8824  •  703-242-8824