What intervention might a therapist recommend to help a child who is overly reliant on parental approval?

Encouraging independent decision-making strategies is an effective intervention for a child who is overly reliant on parental approval. This approach fosters the child’s autonomy and helps develop their self-esteem and confidence in making choices. By engaging in activities that require the child to weigh options, think critically, and reflect on their preferences, they learn to rely less on external validation and more on their own judgment and feelings. This shift can create a more balanced self-concept where the child feels supported by the parent yet still capable of acting independently.

Autonomy in decision-making is crucial for children as it allows them to develop a sense of agency and personal responsibility. It can help them cope with situations outside their immediate family environment, where parental approval may not be as readily accessible or necessary. This can ultimately lead to healthier relationships both within and outside the family as they learn to make choices that align with their values and interests.

In contrast, ignoring the child's behavior does not address the underlying issue of dependency on approval and could lead to further reliance on parental validation. Seeking family counsel alone may not directly empower the child to become independent, as it focuses on the family dynamics rather than the child's decision-making skills. Focusing on sibling comparisons can inadvertently foster competition or resentment, which does not