Families can be very complex. Each member has their own emotions, needs and perspective. It can be especially challenging to communicate with one another effectively so that each person feels heard and understood. It has been my experience when working with families, that most members have good intentions for each other but the problem is in the way it gets expressed and communicated. Families with adolescents are particularly challenging as the teen is trying to gain independence and the parent is adjusting to their development while also maintaining the teen’s safety. Learning how to negotiate needs and differences is at that root of my work in family therapy. I work with each member to understand their emotional experience and what they’re wanting in their relationships with one another. I then help each member to communicate this, listen to one another and (hopefully) understand one another on a deeper, more connected level. 

                Parenting is hands down one of the most difficult jobs out there! As a parent myself, I can appreciate the deep love a parent has for their child, the struggle to figure out what is the best way to parent all while managing difficult emotions, such as anger and frustration. We all have our own histories, ways we were parented and ways we want to be different or better. Unfortunately, it can be easy to slide into old habits or ways of managing emotions that are not helpful to us or our relationships. I help parents to understand their emotions, find ways to manage them and communicate more effectively with their children. I also can help children to understand the parent better so that all members feel heard and respected.

              Whether you’re wanting the whole family to have therapy or just wanting to figure out your family troubles on your own, I can help you to navigate the complicated emotions that occur within relationships, achieve greater awareness and understanding as well as develop tools for more effective communication in your relationships.

 

Contact me today to get started.