FAMILY THERAPY

I specialize and have a particular interest in doing family therapy. Not only has my professional experience taught me, research also indicates that to work successfully with children and adolescents, it is necessary to also work with their parents/caregivers. However, family therapy does not necessarily mean having all family members in the therapy room week after week. Family therapy can and often does include doing some individual, couples, sibling, parent-child, and/or multi-generational work. I tailor my work to meet my clients’ needs and goals.

Being part of a family can be hard. Growing up, becoming independent and trying to negotiate life gets tough. During times of high family stress or transition, kids often act out. Outwardly, young people seem to be communicating to their parents that they want to be left alone. They can act in hurtful, rejecting and unappreciative ways. Ironically, however, these are the moments they need their caregivers’ support and attention more than ever (although once they reach adolescence they are highly unlikely to admit it!). Obtaining guidance around how to support their child(ren), considering each child’s unique personality and developmental stage, can be invaluable.

In my therapy room, family members have the opportunity to “try on new hats,” or experiment with new ways of trying to relate to one another. My role is to point out when family members fall into their comfortable yet sometimes unhelpful way of relating to one another and then to encourage, or even sometimes direct, them on how to do it in a more supportive way. Tasks are often assigned for families to practice in between sessions. While I have specialized training in working within the family system, there are situations where individual therapy would be the most appropriate method of treatment.

COUPLES COUNSELING

It is not uncommon for couples to become stuck in an unhelpful way when relating to one another. Over time, the pattern of relating to each other begins to eat away at the very core of the relationship. When this occurs, it can feel extremely isolating for both partners. As well, it can feel stressful and frustrating that the person to whom we should be going to for support seems to be the exact person who is causing our stress and frustration! Couples understandably begin to question their reasons for ever entering into such a relationship. At times, the negativity and distance has been occurring for so long that the couple may be at a crossroads. My process can help guide a couple in their decision to move forward together or individually. Either way, the process of guidance can be a much more respectful and helpful manner to both of you. In my therapy room, we uncover the layers of hurt and work on defining the negative and unhelpful patterns of how the couple relates. I am often directive in having individuals try new ways of relating to each other in my room. Clients who determine they are committed to try, and successfully stay together will be provided ample support and direction in therapy. It is possible to again feel loving feelings toward or gain support from that person who has been causing so much grief.

PERSONAL GROWTH

Even in my work with individuals, I use a systems/collaborative approach. A person’s well-being and life experience is not entirely separate from their relationships and interactions with others. This philosophy is evident in my therapy style and helps guide my work with clients. When I meet with an individual (adult or adolescent), I keep his/her family system in mind. This helps me understand better the context of their issue: how a family member or significant other touches on that issue or who is involved in the dynamic that could be more of a resource for my client. This is done without jeopardizing the confidentiality of the therapy because it occurs solely in my mind and in our therapy room! And just like in my work with couples or families, I see my role is to equally contain and support my client as it is to challenge him/her. I often set tasks for clients to complete between sessions. Afterall, the bulk of the work is done outside of the therapy room.

Specialties

• Depression

• Anxiety

• Relationship Issues

Issues

• Addiction

• Behavioral Issues

• Bipolar Disorder

• Codependency

• Coping Skills

• Divorce

• Drug Abuse

• Emotional Disturbance

• Family Conflict

• Infidelity

• Life Transitions

• Marital and Premarital

• Women's Issues

• Obsessive-Compulsive (OCD)

• Self Esteem

• Stress

• Substance Use