Therapy for Families

Family matters

Is your family going through a rough patch? Whether the issue itself stems from a lack of understanding between those involved, developmental disagreements with a child, or sibling conflict, a difficult situation can affect the entire family.

There are many causes for families experiencing rough spots. A family may be going through a loss. Substance abuse by a parent or child can create strife for everyone involved. Parenting issues or going through a divorce can be traumatic times.

The teenage years can be trying, resulting in behavioral issues, such as anger outbursts and sibling conflict. It is difficult to see family members struggle, and you may not know how to help the problem.

Family counseling, or family therapy, can be helpful when problems arise and can help restore and improve communication.

How is family therapy accomplished?

Family therapy or counseling can be used in addition to individual treatment. The goal is to improve relationships and improve methods of communication and conflict resolution.

Families are a unique ecosystem, and issues affecting one member of a family can affect the whole unit.

Additional benefits of this type of counseling are that, in some instances, the sessions can heal emotional wounds in a short period of time.

How can family counseling help?

Family counseling can help open up a line of dialogue and communication – and can help family members understand each other’s perspectives. This makes it easier to resolve disputes.

During the counseling sessions, each member learns ways of communicating better, as well as developing techniques to de-escalate arguments, while making sure that everybody is getting heard.

This also can help with parenting problems, such as conflicting parenting styles, rule enforcement, and remaining consistent with your child once the rules are established.

Parenting and family issues

The number of situations associated with parenting and families is endless, but common conflicts can include pushy in-laws, difference in opinion about parenting styles, and trauma, such as domestic violence, or alcohol and drug abuse.

Family and parenting issues also may include being a single parent, divorce, infidelity, problems as a result of divorced parents establishing a new relationship, less opportunities for parents and their children to spend time together, or deployment.

These issues are often intertwined. Treatment methods differ and will depend on the family or individual situation. Healing processes require improved communication, setting a good example as a parental unit, healthy conflict resolution, and setting clear boundaries.

Parenting support

You don’t have to face family challenges and parenting alone. Seek help from a trained therapist or a professional support group to gain some much-needed perspective that will help you to effectively work through your current problems.

Being a parent is a huge responsibility and is difficult at times. If you are married or single, you may feel that you are alone, especially if you are dealing with behavior issues with your child. It is important to talk about these problems with a trained therapist or parent support group to lessen the stress.

Why is parent support necessary?

Sometimes parents need help when setting boundaries and enforcing rules for their children. When a person goes through a divorce, this affects the children involved.

Each of these circumstances affects the family unit, and it is important that you seek the support you need. Such parent support groups help improve parenting skills and the parent and child relationship as well.

What types of parenting support are available?

Therapy may be in the form of a parent support group, group therapy meetings with other parents to discuss your child’s behaviors and offer advice to each other, one-on-one therapy sessions, or family counseling.

I work with a range of emotional and behavioral issues providing services for the following areas of focus that you may be struggling with: Adoption Adjustments, Child/Adolescent Issues, Family Conflict, in addition to Parenting & Parent Support.

I can help with family matters!

Give me a call at (616) 236-3281, so we can discuss what family issues you are facing.