You can have a wonderful, easy, meaningful, healthy conversation.
You find inappropriate content, an adult contacts your child, your child says something to you, or something just “feels” wrong. You do not need to panic, lecture, interrogate or pretend it is not happening. I can help you start the conversation — so you can keep it going.
Schedule a Family ConsultationFamilies call me about...
- Explicit adult or inappropriate online content
- Sexting and image-sharing
- Consent and boundaries
- Dating and relationships
- Online grooming, inappropriate adult contact or exploitation concerns
- Human trafficking
- Social media, gaming and direct messaging
- A young person who simply will not talk to the adults who love them
The goal is conversation — not shame.
We get everybody on the same page, without shame, blame or colorful language. I explain difficult material in clear, age-appropriate language that parents and children can understand and absorb together — then give the family a simple way to keep the conversation going.
Prevention is the best long-term protection.
Whenever possible, begin these conversations before middle school — before exposure, secrecy or risky behavior has a chance to become established harm. Our children will have many interpersonal relationships; how they begin that journey can have a huge impact on how they navigate relationships long term. Do not wait until you have a problem to act — prevent this harm now.
Most families need one focused consultation to get the conversation started.
Schedule a Family Consultation“He just opens up conversation in a way that isn’t scary.”
Names of parents and young people are withheld to protect family privacy.
“John’s humor and rapport with the kids in the room gave us all an ease and honesty... easy and non-threatening.”
“John makes this really difficult conversation easy, and dare I say, fun! He’s funny and calm...”
“We didn’t know how to talk about this with our kids. We do now. Thank you.”
What young people say after the conversation.
Names are withheld to protect the privacy of young people and their families.
“It was weird at first talking about porn with a grown up, but he was funny and it wasn’t so bad.”
“He says all the words but it didn’t seem too bad.”
“Mr. Van Arnam came to my school and said it’s okay to talk about it with my Mom and Dad.”
You don't need to know exactly what to say before you call.
That's the point. Tell me what's happening. We'll figure out where I can help.
Contact John