Why seek family counseling?

The need for family counseling is at an all-time high today. Parents complain “my kids don’t listen to me”, “we fight all the time,” or “I have to do everything myself”. Kids complain “my parents don’t understand me,” “they’re always nagging” or “we just don’t get along”. Sometimes the conflict revolves around one child and the school. Teachers complain that the child is acting out, gets into fights or is behind on schoolwork. Other times the conflict revolves around the wife or husband and the in-laws. Regardless of who the key players are, the conflict affects everyone in the family. And that’s why the solution must involve the whole family too.

 

When to seek family counseling?

• Child is experiencing academic, behavioral or social difficulties at school
• Difficult life transitions such as a death, separation or divorce
• Conflict between family members such as parent-child conflict

How does family counseling work?

In family counseling, I invite all family members to the session, understand each person’s perception of the problem and help the family disrupt their conflict and move closer to their goals. I help parents manage the needs of their overactive or acting-out children, practice effective discipline and parenting strategies and support each other. I identify the issues children and teens are struggling with at home and in school and facilitate bonding between parents and children. I also provide information on child behavior and collaborate with school staff as needed. If families are experiencing a challenging life transition (e.g., divorce), I help them navigate that process more successfully.

My treatment strategy is based on systems theory, a school of thought that forms the basis for the marriage and family therapy field. Learn more about the field of marriage and family therapy here