Child-to-parent violence (CPV) is an increasing concern that involves young people using verbal, emotional, financial, or physical aggression toward their parents or caregivers. Families affected by CPV often experience high levels of stress, guilt, and a breakdown in communication.
Two evidence-based Parents Plus interventions – the Parents Plus Adolescents Programme (PPAP) and the Working Things Out Programme (WTO) – offer practical and therapeutic frameworks to work with young people and parents to rebuild positive family relationships, help manage family dynamics, deal with conflict and address communication problems.
Parents Plus Adolescents Programme: Empowering Parents to Reconnect
The Parents Plus Adolescents Programme (PPAP) supports parents of young people aged 11–16. It aims to strengthen family relationships, improve communication, and help parents manage behaviours that challenging in a constructive, respectful way.
The programme shifts the focus from blame and punishment to empowerment and problem-solving. It equips parents with practical tools to manage conflict safely, reduce escalation, and ‘tune in’ to the emotions and needs behind aggressive behaviour. Crucially, it supports parents to stay calm during conflict, set appropriate boundaries, and use positive reinforcement to encourage respectful communication.
A central focus is on connection and communication. Parents are encouraged to listen actively, validate emotions, and express empathy—even when behaviour is difficult. This emphasis on mutual respect helps reduce power struggles and encourages cooperation. Over time, parents shift from reactive discipline to planned responses and proactive problem-solving, promoting calmer home environments.
The programme also gives parents space to reflect on their own responses to stress and anger. Many report feeling fearful or powerless when faced with violence. The Parents Plus model helps them regain confidence and establish calm, firm boundaries—creating an environment where young people are less likely to resort to aggression.
The group-based delivery of PPAP provides an important source of peer support. Parents often feel isolated or ashamed when dealing with CPV, but connecting with others facing similar challenges helps reduce stigma and build resilience. Facilitators play a crucial role in guiding discussions, helping parents share strategies and gain new perspectives on managing aggression and repairing relationships.
Working Things Out: Supporting Young People to Manage Emotions
The Working Things Out (WTO) programme complements PPAP and is delivered directly to young people aged 11–16. It is a cognitive-behavioural, solution-focused programme that helps adolescents develop emotional regulation, problem-solving, and coping skills. The strategies and skills within WTO are particularly helpful for those experiencing anger, anxiety, impulsivity, or relationship conflict—common factors of the CPV experience in families.
Through structured sessions, young people learn to recognise stress triggers, challenge unhelpful thoughts, and practise relaxation and communication techniques. These skills help them manage strong emotions thereby reducing overwhelm, conflict and aggression. A central focus of WTO is conflict resolution and communication with parents. Using role-play, group discussion, and reflection, adolescents learn to express needs assertively and learn skills in self regulating. They are encouraged to consider family relationships and to develop empathy for their parents’ perspectives too. This shift can help them see parents as partners in problem-solving rather than opponents in conflict.
A Holistic Family Approach
Delivered together or sequentially, PPAP and WTO offer a comprehensive, family-centred response to child-to-parent violence. PPAP strengthens parental confidence and consistency, while WTO helps adolescents build the emotional tools to change their behaviour.
Both programmes are grounded in empathy, collaboration, and skill-building, avoiding punitive or blaming approaches. Families who take part report reduced conflict, improved communication, and greater emotional understanding. Parents feel more capable and connected, while adolescents learn to express themselves in healthier, more respectful ways.
Whilst both programmes support family functioning and well-being independently of the other, the combination of PPAP and WTO is a particularly powerful approach. Ultimately, it can help families move beyond cycles of anger and fear toward empathy, cooperation, and mutual respect, creating calmer homes and stronger family bonds.
If you are interesting in training as a Parents Plus Adolescents or Working Things Out facilitator, please view upcoming training dates at parentsplus.com/training.