Family Therapy
Happy and Healthy…
“The family that plays together stays together.”
Grab a picnic blanket and head to the park. Laughing, goofing off, enjoying each other…
If only doing family life was always this easy! And sometimes it is.
But then there are those other times…
What can you do to promote world peace? Go home and love your family. –Mother Teresa
…Or Dysfunctional and Discouraged?
Families today are more stressed than ever before. Authority and respect are in question. Roles are less defined. Marriages are strained. Parents are pulled in all directions with work, bills to pay, and pressures to have their kids in every possible extracurricular activity to “open doors for their future.” But all of this running and going…where is it getting us?
And then come the challenging teen years, exacerbated by instant access to a chaotic world of competing ideas and messages. Today’s teens are bombarded by pressures to perform academically, excel athletically, navigate relationally, all the while determining their own identity and values in a world filled with smart phones, Instagram, Snap Chat, and YouTube. No wonder parents and kids are struggling.
Family Therapy May Be the Answer
When your family hits a rough patch—not “if” but “when”—it helps to know you are not alone. Every family has its challenges. And I can help. Not because I have all the answers or have raised “perfect kids,” but because I’ve been there. I can assist you as parents to relax and realize…
The moment is NOT the outcome.
I can equip you to better listen, better relate, and better discipline—all of which are needed in a healthy family. I am trained to recognize the family dynamics that may be perpetuating difficulties, and how to resolve them. Together we can explore your family’s strengths and weaknesses, and determine a plan for moving in a healthier direction.
When your kids are struggling with low self-esteem, thoughts of self-harming, confusion about their values…or are dabbling in risk-taking behavior like alcohol, drugs, or sexual activity, I can point you to a range of resources to assist them. Perhaps they may benefit from some individual therapy where they can feel safe to share the pain and confusion they are experiencing. Coupled with family therapy sessions, I can help you all to better communicate and connect, working to deepen your relationships with each other within the protective boundaries of trust and respect. I can also assist you in putting valuable family routines and rules in place to provide a secure place for each family member to grow and flourish.
Sometimes we just need reassurance that we are on the right track and simply need to tweak a few things to improve our family atmosphere.
For example, many studies show that making it a priority to gather around the family dinner table a minimum of three times a week can pay huge dividends in safeguarding kids, promoting their healthy growth and development, increased family loyalty, and better overall coping with life’s demands and stresses.
Other times, a more thorough assessment is needed to determine whether undiagnosed ADD, depression, anxiety, or other treatable conditions may be affecting one or more family members’ functioning and relating to one another. Let me assist you in getting your family life back on track.
Knowing…Healing…Growing
Your path to growing a family you love!
Sticking with your family is what makes it a family. – Mitch Albom
