What is Family Therapy?

There are certain times in family relationships when certain life stresses create a need for help from outside of the family. Family therapy helps family members to move beyond the paralysis sometimes created by difficult issues to a place where they are able to work through the issue from a team perspective.

As each family is unique, I believe each family’s therapeutic experience is also unique. The therapist role I take on my vary depending on the needs of the family. These roles may include facilitator, guide, coach, explorer, educator, and sometimes referee. In order for therapy to be most effective, family members are encouraged to develop their own goals in therapy and together we explore how each member’s strengths can be drawn upon as the family works towards attaining these goals.

Whether working with a parent and child or a family of five with the children grown up and living on their own, I am always fascinated by the creative ways families are able to grow closer to one another and conquer issues that could have pulled them apart.

Here are some of the issues and concerns family members may bring to therapy:

  • Communication difficulties
  • Conflict resolution
  • Coping after separation or divorce
  • Abuse (verbal, emotional, physical, or sexual)
  • Sibling rivalry
  • Adoption
  • Boundary issues
  • Growing up with your children
  • Trust
  • Drug and alcohol use
  • Sexual exploration
  • School concerns
  • Bullying or being bullied
  • Family expectations (chores, household rules, extracurricular, etc.)
  • Coping with family changes (new in-laws, births, deaths, moving, etc.)