24/10/2025
Today I completed specialist training around CAPVA which stands for Child and Adolescent to Parent Violence and Abuse to further enhance my knowledge and skills in my role as a counsellor and domestic abuse specialist.
Sometimes, parents come to therapy or my other role feeling confused, guilty, or even frightened about their child’s behaviour but don’t have the words to describe what’s happening. What they’re experiencing may be CAPVA , Child and Adolescent to Parent Violence and Abuse.
This is when a young person uses physical, verbal, emotional, or financial abuse toward a parent or carer. This is more than defiance or teenage attitude; it’s a pattern of fear, control, or harm that leaves families feeling unsafe and isolated.
Parents often tell me:
“I feel like I’m walking on eggshells.”
“I don’t recognise my child anymore.”
“I love them, but I’m scared too.”
As professional we must remember:
*This is not about blame.
*It’s about understanding what’s happening beneath the behaviour.
*It’s about safety, support, and hope for rebuilding relationships.
If this resonates with you or someone you know, please know that you are not alone, and help is available.