"Parents are blamed, but not trained."

Parent Effectiveness Training is an eight-week course in which parents can practice communication and conflict resolution skills that build on each other week by week. We address real-life problems right from the get-go in a small, supportive group environment and parents receive a certificate upon graduation.

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 problem-solving.

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

I‑Messages – Expressing how your child’s behavior affects you, without blaming them, so that you have the best chance of influencing their behavior and getting your own needs met.

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

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,
January 17 – March 7, 2026, 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

Instructor bio

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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 $50 materials fee for the textbook and workbook.

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

P.E.T. first began in 1962. It was developed by psychologist and three-time Nobel Peace Prize nominee Dr. Thomas Gordon. 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 where parents say something is okay when it really isn't. 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!