The Parallel Process: Growing Alongside Your Adolescent or Young Adult in Treatment, Revised & Updated Edition

by Krissy Pozatek MSW

The best-selling The Parallel Process revised and updated new edition contains new chapters and other valuable insights and information from the author integrated throughout the book. It also contains moving and poignant forewords by a care provider and parent. Using case examples garnered from her many years as an adolescent and family therapist, Krissy Pozatek shows parents of preteens, adolescent and young adults how they can break enmeshed parent-child patterns and promote their child’s emotional health and maturation through attuning to emotions, setting safety boundaries, and not rushing to the rescue. When parents learn to not take responsibility for their children’s emotions, problems and behaviors, their kids are more likely to take ownership and reclaim their lives. Likewise, parents can recognize their own patterns of surrendering their lives and personalities to parenting. As such, The Parallel Process is an essential primer for all parents of struggling teens, who are seeking to grow together as they navigate the adolescent years.

279 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 16, 2025

Reviews

[Ellie Hardy]

Having read and benefited greatly from reading The Parallel Process about ten years ago, I found I had to dive into this new and updated edition! Krissy has done a masterful job in laying out all the wisdom she showed in the original version plus important and timely updates. One of the beauties of Krissy’s writing is her clear, down to earth, relatable communication style.
Another is the simplicity of her approach. The methods she encourages struggling parents to learn and practice are basically common sense, anyone can do this. Of course, it’s never easy to break established habits, often it is extremely difficult, but Krissy show that it can be done. And she shows you how to do it in a very clear and supportive way. I only know that when I needed this book ten years ago it really came through for me and it made a difference in other relationships as well.
Thank you Krissy!