"Parents are blamed, but not trained."

Let's fix that together. In Parent Effectiveness Training, we practice core communication and conflict resolution skills that build on each other week by week. We'll address your toughest challenges in a supportive environment, right from the get-go, and leave you with skills to help you feel more confident in family life.

Sign up for online P.E.T. class!

What you'll learn:

* How to talk to children and adults so that they'll listen to you
* How to listen to children and adults so they feel genuinely understood
* How to solve conflicts and problems in your relationships so that no one loses and problems stay solved
* ...and you'll learn a step-by-method for resolving problems and knowing which skills to use to solve them.

Key skills:


How to avoid communication Roadblocks – Common pitfalls (e.g., ordering, lecturing, blaming) that prevent effective listening and resolution

Active Listening – Reflecting back what your child shares (both content and feelings) to truly understand and validate them

I‑Messages – Expressing how your child’s behavior affects you, without blaming them. This encourages cooperation while preserving their self‑esteem

Behavior Window – A tool to determine “who owns the problem” (parent, child, both, or neither) to guide your choice of response

No‑Lose Conflict Resolution (Method III) – A step-by-step, creative problem-solving method to find solutions that meet the needs of both parent and child

P.E.T. is an eight-week class held on Saturdays,
Sept 20 – Nov 1, 2025, from 9 am – 12 pm Mountain Standard Time

This online class uses Google Meet. Each group has 4 - 12 participants and is lead by a Certified Instructor. The textbook and workbook support our in-class practice, and you'll receive them in the mail before the class begins.

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Class Instructor:

Whitney Allen

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The P.E.T. skills are effective with children of all ages and abilities, including infants, toddlers, teens, and grown children!

Click here to register for the next online class!

Questions


How much does the course cost?

The eight-week course fee is $295, which includes a $45 materials fee for the textbook and workbook.

Child and family therapists, social and civil workers, and people affiliated with community service organizations are eligible to take the full P.E.T. course for the $45 materials fee only. If you're interested in taking the discounted course, please contact Whitney directly.

What's the history of P.E.T.?

Developed by psychologist and three-time Nobel Peace Prize nominee 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. The Gordon model applies to all human relationships -- not just parents and children -- and P.E.T. has been taught in over 53 countries!