Family Therapy
Our family affects who we are and who we become, both for the better and for worse. We learn our vocabulary, our habits, our customs and rituals, and how to view and observe the world around us.
Anyone seeking healthier, closer family relationships can benefit from family therapy.
Common reasons for seeking family therapy include:
- Divorce
- Parent-child conflict
- Problems between siblings
- Mental Illness of a child or parent
- Domestic violence
- The unexpected or traumatic loss of a family member
Family therapy is necessary to address family issues and heal a family’s wounds. If any of the above scenarios resonate with your family, consider seeking family therapy. Family therapy can be beneficial on many different levels.
Some positive family therapy outcomes are:
- Strategies to develop and maintain boundaries
- Fostered sense of cohesion and communication among family members
- Promotes problem-solving through an understanding of family patterns and dynamics
- Builds empathy and understanding.
- Reduces family conflict
Studies show that family therapy is particularly important for families with members who struggle with depression, substance abuse, eating disorders and other behavioral issues. When the whole family grows, each member is better off.
Therapy for Kids and Teens
If you are looking for individual treatment for your child, I would need to do an assessment first if the child is 13 years and younger to establish the appropriate treatment approach based on the presenting problem. For example, if your child is 12 years old, has trouble focusing in school and following rules in the home, family therapy may be most appropriate. If your child is 7 and has experienced sexual abuse by a family friend and has nightmares, play therapy would be appropriate while there would be occasional family sessions. If it is decided that individual therapy is best, I generally still encourage family sessions occasionally during the child’s treatment to promote healthy relationships within the family. Please visit the service page for play therapy and therapy for teens to learn more.
If you’re interested in learning about how I can help pull your family back together or help your child, contact me today for a free consultation.