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Jamal Ahmelich is a registered clinical counsellor through the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors. His philosophy of therapy is that the client/counsellor relationship is of utmost importance in promoting change and as such, always uses a client centered, strengths based approach.


In the ever-evolving landscape of parenting philosophies, Ross Greene’s Collaborative & Proactive Solutions (CPS) stands out as a transformative approach. This summary of Greene’s parenting approach, focusing on fostering collaboration, empathy, and problem-solving within the parent-child dynamic will help parents see alternative ways to address challenging behaviours.

  • Understanding Collaborative & Proactive Solutions (CPS): Ross Greene’s CPS model shifts away from traditional authoritarian and punitive approaches. Instead, it promotes collaboration between parents and children to identify and address the root causes of challenging behaviour. By understanding the factors contributing to a child’s difficulties, parents can work together with their children to find effective solutions.
  • The Three Steps of CPS: Greene’s approach is structured around three essential steps: Empathy, Define the Problem, and Invitation to Collaborate. This process encourages open communication, allowing parents to gain insights into their child’s perspective and collaboratively devise solutions that are mutually agreeable.
  • Focus on Empathy: A key aspect of CPS is the emphasis on empathy. By actively listening to a child’s concerns and understanding their point of view, parents can build a strong foundation for collaboration. This empathetic approach fosters trust and strengthens the parent-child relationship.
  • Identifying Unsolved Problems: Instead of reacting to challenging behaviours with punishment, Greene suggests identifying and addressing the underlying unsolved problems that trigger these behaviours. This proactive approach aims to prevent conflicts by collaboratively finding solutions to the challenges that arise in a child’s daily life.
  • Inclusive Problem-Solving: CPS encourages parents to involve their children in the problem-solving process. By including children in discussions about rules, expectations, and consequences, parents empower them to take an active role in shaping their own behaviour and learning valuable decision-making skills.

Ross Greene’s Collaborative & Proactive Solutions offer a refreshing perspective on parenting, focusing on collaboration, empathy, and problem-solving. By incorporating these principles into our parenting toolkit, we can create a more harmonious and communicative relationship with our children. Embracing the CPS model opens the door to transformative change, fostering a positive environment where both parents and children can thrive.

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