A. The Parental Stress Line (PSL)  is a statewide, 24-hour helpline for parents.  We provide distressed parents and caregivers with anonymous, confidential parenting support.

The Parental Stress Line operates under the model that parents already have the capacity to solve their own parenting problems.  It is the Parental Stress Line Counselor’s job to help the caller problem solve.  Counselors achieve this by recognizing the caller’s strengths, which in turn helps to build the caller’s self confidence.  Counselors also provide information and referrals to link the caller to additional resources.  In a way, our work can be seen as parent development and ultimately, empowerment.

“You’re the first person who has really taken the time to talk to me” –Parental Stress Line Caller

A. Trained, volunteer telephone Counselors answer Parental Stress Line calls.  Volunteer Counselors need to be supportive, non-judgmental listeners who are naturally empathic towards people in distress.  You do not need to be a parent to volunteer.  Volunteer must be at least 20 years of age.

A. All Counselors first attend four 2.5 hour training sessions in addition to several mentoring sessions with an experienced Counselor.  After training, Volunteer Counselors are asked to commit to at least one year of weekly 3.5-hour shifts and monthly overnight shifts.  Many Counselors choose to take calls from home through a call forwarding system.

A. Initial training, mentoring, and volunteer support meetings take place at our Watertown office.  After training, Counselors have the option to take calls from home through a call forwarding system.

“The PSL makes it really easy to volunteer.  I’m much more apt to take shifts because it’s just so easy to work from home.” –Parental Stress Line Volunteer

A. Yes.  Parental Stress Line Counselors learn several counseling techniques including reflective listening, positive regard and asking open-ended questions.  Volunteers who are considering a career in counseling often find that their experience as a Parental Stress Line Counselor can help them decide if a career in counseling is right for them.  Volunteer training and supervision are overseen by a licensed social worker or mental health counselor.

A. Volunteer Counselors participate in four 2.5 hour training sessions in addition to several mentoring sessions with a trained counselor.  During training, Counselors learn communication skills, strength-based counseling, and how to respond in stressful situations. Counselors receive ongoing supervision and 24-hour support. Parents Helping Parents hosts periodic volunteer support meetings where volunteers discuss frequent issues that they encounter and learn from presentations on relevant topics.  Volunteer training and supervision are overseen by a licensed social worker.

“There’s never any pressure.  A supervisor is always available.  I get a lot of satisfaction from the callers.”-Parental Stress Line Volunteer

A. Volunteering as a Parental Stress Line Counselor can be a unique and rewarding way to strengthen families, help families in need, and prevent child abuse.  Volunteer Counselors also learn valuable communication skills that can be applied to their own everyday lives.  In training, Counselors learn listening and counseling skills and learn how to respond in stressful situations.  Our Counselors appreciate the convenience of being able to take calls from their homes through a call routing system.

“My experience as a Parental Stress Line Counselor has taught me valuable skills that have served me well as a social worker and in my social interactions in my daily life. Taking calls on the Parental Stress Line helped me do deal with stressful situations in a calm and empathetic manner; these skills have proven to be invaluable as I continue my career in social work.” –Parental Stress Line Volunteer

Volunteer Counselors also receive ongoing supervision.  Supervisors address issues that arise on specific calls, identify Counselors’ positive growth, provide support and encouragement to the Counselor and promote the Counselors’ open communication with Parents Helping Parents.  Counselors also attend periodic support meetings and presentations on relevant topics in order to ensure their continued education.

A. Any parenting-related issue is up for discussion on the Parental Stress Line.  The Parental Stress Line is not a substitute for ongoing therapy; it is a helpline for dealing with immediate parenting issues.  The caller identifies which parenting challenges he or she would like to discuss.  Here are some examples of issues discussed on the Parental Stress Line:

• Babies who won’t stop crying
• Appropriate child discipline
• Teenagers who won’t listen
• Family or partner conflict
• Raising children with disabilities like autism or ADHD
• Parenting burn-out
• Substance abuse
• Parenting information and resources
• Feeling alone and unsupported