Family Therapy Plus!
I am one of 12% of counselors specifically trained in marriage and family therapy.
Only marriage and family therapy as a profession requires any coursework or supervised clinical training in marital and family counseling.
Family counseling empowers people wanting change because it reminds family members that, like a mobile, touching any part of it affects the whole.
Marriage and family therapy offers new hope as communication is re-established, tensions subside and problems are addressed in a safe and supportive environment.
Family counseling offers …
- sound, common sense principles you can use!
- reduction in tension so problems can get solved!
- a refocusing of the family on strengths instead of problems!
- establishment of healthy boundaries that make sense!
Family counseling also provides ...
- new ways to communicate more effectively!
- each person a voice in terms of what is happening!
- active counselor feedback and encouragement!
- tools that can be used back home!
Family therapy can work with:
- Teen depression
- Family conflict and division
- Problems with “adult children”
- Differences in parent disciplining
- Uninvolved spouses
- Co-dependency and addiction
- Over-involved extended family members
- Couples adjusting to a new baby
- Couples anticipating retirement
Family therapy is not a magic bullet but a process where you will come to understand what is happening within your relationships and what you can (and cannot) do to influence other family member’s responses.
The truth is that what we think should be simple and obvious isn’t. Other than the one model we have of our family growing up we don’t have training in making families function better.
Family therapy is a positive way of getting off the treadmill, stepping back and strategizing about new ways to approach family problems. Knowing what you want means you can stay on course even when resistance to change is present.
Note: A common misconception is that the person causing stress needs to be in family counseling in order for change to occur. That is not necessarily true. Any person wanting change and motivated to seek counseling can have a direct effect on other family members - even those not present.
