Overview

Renew your APS membership or join in the 2026–27 membership year to receive this activity free as part of a CPD package featuring 75+ activities with 160+ hours of learning - valued at over $4,000 for non-members. This activity will be open for enrolment from 5 August 2026 until 31 May 2027. How to join | APS

The critical role of parents and carers in supporting children’s and adolescents’ mental health is well recognised. Doing this well and collaboratively as psychologists requires specific knowledge and skills. The nature of parenting styles and approaches has changed in recent decades and despite the ready availability of information, parents and carers sometimes experience confusion and a lack of confidence in their abilities to parent effectively. 

This activity will cover:

• engaging with parents and carers requires abilities to build trust,

• understanding family dynamics,

• responding to parenting styles,

• exploring the dynamic interplay between family members, and

• outlining the various practical, legal and ethical aspects that apply across the child and adolescent lifespan which impact on ways of working.

Level of Learning

Foundational. This activity is targeted to those new to the topic.

Duration of access

Access to this activity is 12 months from the date of confirmed registration. Please note that access cannot be extended, and participants should plan to complete the activity within this period.

APS CPD-Approved

This activity has been assessed against the APS Standards for CPD activities and approved for its education quality. Learn more about the APS CPD Approval process

CPD Frequently Asked Questions

Refer to the APS CPD Frequently Asked Questions for general and technical information when undertaking APS Professional development activities.

Activity details

• On-demand webinar recording

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this activity, participants should be able to:

• outline barriers and factors which impact on building effective relationships with parents and carers,

• identify ways to overcome barriers to engage parents and carers, and

• describe ways to manage practical, legal and ethical aspects of working with children and adolescents at different ages.

Presenter(s)

Dr Lyn O'Grady MAPS

About the presenter(s)

Dr Lyn O’Grady is a Community Psychologist with an interest in child and adolescent mental health. In a career spanning almost thirty years, she has a wide range of experiences across a number of sectors. She has worked as a school psychologist, with parents in community-based organisations and managed the KidsMatter project for the Australian Psychological Society. She currently works in private practice in addition to the College of Professional Psychology. In 2017, she completed a Master of Suicidology and has been writing, consulting and training in this area since then. She published her first book for parents titled “Keeping our Kids Alive, Parenting a suicidal young person” in 2020. Lyn is also an AHPRA-approved supervisor.