A top Hollywood child and family psychotherapist has urged Billy Ray Cyrus to take his issues with his teenage daughter Miley to a trained expert, rather than air his thoughts in public.
Dr. Fran Walfish, the author of The Self-Aware Parent, warns the Achy Breaky Heart singer he's doing more harm than good by venting his feelings about his daughter's occasional wildchild antics in magazine interviews - and he should try to get the family together for a private session with an expert.
In a new People magazine article, Cyrus stated, "It is very important to me to work on mending my family right now. My family is the most important thing I have, and we are working together to make sure our future is stronger and healthier."
This came after he blamed hit Disney show Hannah Montana, in which he starred with his daughter, for "destroying" his family in a GQ interview. Dr. Fran tells WENN Billy Ray, who filed for divorce from his wife Tish in October , owes it to Miley and his family to get them together in a room with a psychologist.
She says, "If psychotherapy is not received, there could be family communication breakdowns and Miley and her siblings could take a side and polarise the family even more. The danger here is further estrangement of family members.
"There's also the possibility that drugs and alcohol could play a part if the children are not helped to deal directly with uncomfortable feelings. I don't know why Billy Ray Cyrus is using the media as a platform. Perhaps he is knee-jerk reacting to his high level of anxiety. These issues belong in an experienced family psychotherapy office. They are very private. It makes me wonder if Billy Ray could use a little honing on his own personal boundaries, as well."
Dr. Fran urges other parents who are chasing the dream of fame and fortune for their kids to use the Cyrus case as a cautionary tale: "My warning to families with young kids embarking into showbiz is avoid allowing it for as long as possible. The older and more mature your child is, the better the chances your child will not compromise his or her own values. Stay grounded by consulting a family psychotherapist to keep communication lines wide open. Don't wait until there's a problem."
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