The Parent Pivot: What to Do When Your Young Adult Is in Psychological Distress

This book provides information, guidance, and above all hope for parents struggling to support their young adult children in psychological distress.

The period of emerging adulthood (ages 18 to 29) is a psychologically vulnerable time. Many emerging adults are anxious, depressed, or otherwise distressed and may turn to unhealthy coping strategies, including substance misuse, unhealthy eating, Internet misuse, and risky and impulsive behaviors such as sexual acting out and reckless driving. Where parents previously functioned in the caretaker role for their young children, they must now "pivot" to a new role: coach, wise counsel, or compeer. Parents may also need to pivot back to a caretaking role for a time if their young adults are dealing with more serious mental health issues.

This book provides essential information and practical advice to help parents navigate these difficult challenges and deal with their own distress as they assist their struggling emerging adults. The authors describe various mental health symptoms and disorders common to this age group. They also discuss the difference between normal and more problematic behaviors, and options for professional help and treatment approaches. Not all young adults are willing to receive help, whether from family, friends, or professionals. But regardless of their situation, this book offers tips and strategies for how parents can maintain a loving, empathic relationship with their young adult, even in the most challenging circumstances.

Written by psychologists with extensive experience helping emerging adults and their families, this book provides invaluable guidance for communicating effectively, setting boundaries, managing collateral damage within the family, practicing self-care, mourning losses, and developing and practicing compassion for yourself and your young adult. It reflects the complex emotional dynamics occurring both within and between young adults and their parents, and it provides hope for struggling families.

Author: Lynne Carroll,Paula J. Gilroy,Mikal Crawford
Publisher: American Psychological Association (APA)
Published: 05/20/2025
Pages: 340
Binding Type: Paperback
Weight: 0.89lbs
Size: 8.43h x 5.60w x 0.64d
ISBN: 9781433843631

About the Author
Lynne Carroll, PhD, ABPP, is a retired professor of psychology and former director of the master's program at the University of North Florida. Throughout her 30+ years in academia, Dr. Carroll taught multiple undergraduate and graduate courses in psychology and mental health counseling in Maryland and Pennsylvania. Her research has been widely published in professional journals and presented at national and international conferences. Dr. Carroll is the author of a graduate textbook on psychotherapy published in 2010 by Pearson. A licensed and board-certified counseling psychologist, her clinical work focused on concerns of young adults in both university and community settings.

Paula J. Gilroy, EdD, is a licensed psychologist retired from 30+ years of clinical practice at a university counseling center. She worked with young adults who sought treatment for mood and anxiety disorders, trauma, family issues, grief, and loss. As the Assistant Director for Training, Dr. Gilroy provided individual and group supervision for graduate-level students. She offered consultation services to parents concerned about their young adults. Dr. Gilroy co-authored a wide range of scholarly articles and presented her research at national conferences. She lives in Iowa with her husband and menagerie of three dogs, five cats, and one rabbit.

Mikal Crawford, EdD, is a licensed psychologist in Maine retired from 30+ years of clinical work with young adults in a university counseling center in Maryland and as a graduate faculty member in counseling and psychology in both Maryland and Maine. She also worked with parents of young adults in psychological distress while they learned to pivot from the caretaker role as these adult children headed to college. Dr. Crawford has written and co-authored scholarly articles and presented at national and international conferences. She lives in Maine with her husband and makes monthly visits to senior living facilities with her therapy dog, Riley.