Family Therapy
Do you and your partner disagree about what your child needs?
Is your family feeling the burnout of working and/or schooling from home?
Do you have days where it feels like you’re just running out the clock until bedtime?
Does it feel like you’re walking on eggshells around your teen?
Is yours a step, blended, or adoptive family struggling to adjust?
All families experience challenges at one time or another.
Whether your family has just hit a bump in the road, or needs support through a major change or loss, or even if you feel like your family is always in turmoil, family counseling can make a difference. Like you, my clients know firsthand how complicated family relationships can be. For many these days, it’s a constant battle not to lose their you-know-what as they deal with the uncertainty and cabin fever the pandemic has brought. Families are still struggling to find the balance between social distancing and maintaining connection with others.
Even before the pandemic, many families struggled to feel like they were all on the same team. They didn’t understand why their kids “just can’t get along with each other!” Or maybe the teenage years arrived and parents couldn’t figure out how to get their teen to talk, listen, or even smile anymore. For my clients who have children that have experienced abuse, neglect, loss, or attachment challenges related to foster care or adoption, finding joy and harmony as a family can be even more complicated.
Family therapy aims to help you function better together, reduce conflict, identify specific challenges or patterns that need extra attention, and feel more connected with each other.
Family counseling encourages you to work together and communicate with each other throughout the process. Meeting with a therapist together can help family members feel more comfortable being authentic and vulnerable. The family counselor can give support when it is hard to speak your mind, help family members look at situations from different perspectives, and help your family change patterns or strategies that are getting in the way of peace or growth.
Family therapy can look different for each family, depending on your goals, personalities, and how your family system is currently functioning. When we work together, we will address patterns, major concerns, attachment, and what is currently working for your family. We work with your family strengths to make family counseling more effective for you.
What if I can’t get everyone in my family to be there at the same time?
Fortunately, all sessions are online. I send the link to you, and family members can join the session from their office, kitchen, or even from their car (only if it’s parked, please!). Sometimes your teenager might actually find it easier to attend and engage if they can be comfortable in their own space.
Our teenager might be there, but probably won’t talk with us in the session.
You are not alone! If your teen is willing to sit with us in sessions, we can still do great work together. I never try to force anyone to talk in therapy, it should always go at their own pace and comfort level.
If you feel like your teen actually has quite a bit to say or that they probably have a lot on their mind, you can also ask them if they’d prefer to see a therapist on their own. Counseling for teens can be a great way to give them extra support and a safe place to vent without worrying about judgment or repercussions. You can read more about this service on my teen therapy page.
And what happens if…
My kids might find it interesting, but definitely won’t stay focused if we bring them to the session.
or
I think my partner and I are more open to seeking therapy than the rest of our family.
or
I know I won’t be able to get my kid onboard.
There are many ways to get support and help for your family! I love working with parents to find the best ways to help their kids. Regular parent sessions can be the best way to reach your kid and facilitate healthy changes in your family. I trust you as the parent to be the expert on your family- I am happy to support you finding the best tools and parenting strategies that will work for you.
Also, if you’re a parent who frequently feels stressed, frustrated, or overwhelmed, parent counseling can be the perfect first step to making your daily life feel more manageable and hopeful. Often, our own life experiences or the way we were raised greatly influence the way we interact with (and react to) our kids. Sometimes, addressing certain patterns or ways of thinking can lead to more harmonious households. Parents are welcome to meet with me together or individually. You can find more information on my Counseling for Parents page.