Healthy communication in the family system is incredibly important, but sometimes it can seem difficult to achieve. However, you may improve communication within your family with practise and a willingness to try new things! Family therapists suggest a number of strategies, including promoting regulation, assessing the parenting approaches, and fostering an open environment. But what does that look like in practice?. The famous psychiatrist Dr. Bruce Perry teaches us that we must work to regulate (manage our emotions) before we can relate and reason with a child. This process must be done in this order because a child cannot process information if he is dysregulated. However, a parent cannot co-regulate with your child if they themselves are dysregulated. So, he practices your own regulation skills first—this will set a great example for his son too!.