evidence: New parents, overwhelmed parents, and parents facing mental health conditions may benefit from the support of a mental health professional. A therapist or counselor can help parents through difficult situations or behavioral concerns. [...] - Keeping children safe - Listening to children and spending time with them - Providing affection, order, and consistency - Setting and enforcing limits for children - Monitoring friendships children make - Seeking help for any medical or behavioral concerns [...] Many parents continue to offer support and guidance to their adult children. This may especially be the case of a child who is coping with a chronic or temporary issue. But some adult children resent what they see as continued parental influence. These adult children may refuse assistance. Some children may engage in risky or destructive behavior. Parents may be unable to reach them or unsuccessful when encouraging them to seek help. This powerlessness is likely to be difficult and distressing for parents. A therapist or other mental health professional can help parents learn to cope with this. Therapists may also help parents learn how to reach out to their children, when possible.