What is P.E.T.?

  • Purpose & Philosophy
    Developed by Dr. Thomas Gordon in 1962, Parent Effectiveness Training (P.E.T.) uses the Gordon Model of communication to help parents build democratic, respectful relationships with their children—without resorting to power struggles, punishments, or permissive leniency. It’s about helping both parent and child meet their needs in a no‑lose way that builds mutual respect and a lifelong relationship.
  • Key Skills Taught
    1. Active Listening – Reflecting back what your child shares (both content and feelings) to truly understand and validate them
    2. I‑Messages – Expressing how your child’s behavior affects you, without blaming them. This encourages cooperation while preserving their self‑esteem
    3. Behavior Window – A tool to determine “who owns the problem” (parent, child, both, or neither) to guide your choice of response
    4. No‑Lose Conflict Resolution (Method III) – A structured, multi‑step problem-solving method to achieve solutions that respect both parties’ needs
    5. Avoiding Communication Roadblocks – Common pitfalls (e.g., ordering, lecturing, blaming) that prevent effective listening and resolution

The skills build on each other week by week, and we address real problems in a supportive environment, right from the get-go.

  • Expected Outcomes
    After completing P.E.T., parents learn to:
    • Recognize who owns a problem and respond with empathy or assertiveness as appropriate
    • Listen actively, using silence, acknowledgment, and door-openers to build trust
    • Express own needs clearly and respectfully using I‑Messages
    • Avoid common communication roadblocks that shut down dialogue
    • Resolve conflicts without power struggle by applying a step-by-step, no‑lose method
    • Foster open, respectful relationships that support children’s emotional growth and sense of personal responsibility

For a complete list of expected outcomes of the course, click here.

The materials fee covers the textbook, workbook, and shipping to you before the course.

Registration Details

For 30% off the full course fee, register by August 20th with the EARLYBIRD coupon.

Child and family therapists, social and civil workers, and community service organizations are eligible to take the full P.E.T. course for the materials fee only. If you're interested in taking the discounted course, please contact Whitney directly.

  • Instructors
    Whitney Allen and Lee-Anne Biederman
"I first took a P.E.T. class in 2013, when I was about to become a stepmom to two awesome kids. P.E.T. radically changed my personal and professional life, and I'm happy to be a Certified Instructor of the course so that I can share these skills with others."

Why It Matters

  • For Parents: It transforms reactive, struggle‑based communication into respectful, empathetic dialogue where both parties feel heard. It instills a sense of inner responsibility in children.
  • For Families: Promotes lasting relationships and consistent, peaceful problem-solving.
  • For Participants: Provides both theory and practical skills in a small, interactive group led by qualified instructors.

To register for the full class, please click here.


To register with the deposit option, please click here.

If you're interested in P.E.T. and none of the current class times fit with your schedule, feel free to make a scheduling request and/or contact Whitney about individual parent coaching sessions ($90/hr).