Family Counselling Services in Nisku, AB.

Families create complex dynamics, particularly in today’s times – what with blended families, separated couples sharing child custody, and so on. Do you find yourself and your family members struggling within such circumstances? I am passionate about working with you to increase effective communication and develop healthy relational patterns. Together, we will work within a safe, non-judgemental, respectful and compassionate environment. Healthy family relationships are essential to basic safety, stability and consistency in yours and your children’s lives. This becomes the foundation for your children’s growth and adaptation to life’s challenges.

Shift family therapy or family counseling is designed to address specific trauma or issues affecting the health and functioning of a family and individuals within it. It can be used to help the family through a difficult period of time, a major transition, or mental or behavioral health problems in family members. We often break family members up into individual sessions to target are beliefs that we hold about ourselves and the world that become part of our identity.

The family unite can provide a foundation of security, love, and a sense of belonging. However, often times families can struggle for a variety of reasons and seeking counselling can help improve family dynamics, interactions, communication, and problem solving. Through counselling, families can begin to heal the broken pieces and establish a nurturing environment in which the family can flourish emotionally, physically, mentally, and spiritually.

Family relationships play an important role in our lives and can provide us with a strong sense of connection and belonging. When challenges/stresses arise they can have a ripple effect on everyone involved. I help families identify the issues involved, find direction, and establish more effective tools in communicating with each other and progress toward resolution of concerns.

Eating disorders impact the entire family unit. The healing power of families is an integral part of our treatment model and we strive to ensure that all members are supported through the recovery journey. We have a variety of services for parents, spouses, siblings, extended family members and friends. We believe that family members need information, support, and skills training to help their loved one recover and we are there to provide such support to families every step of the way.

Families are complicated and exist in many different forms; nuclear families, multi-family units, blended families, adopted families, foster families, siblings, parent/child, etc.. In all these settings communication breakdown and conflicts can arise. With many differing views and perspectives, navigating and finding solutions to conflict can sometimes seem impossible. Some areas of focus in family therapy: Conflict between family members Blended families Divorce/Separation Grief and loss Navigating co-parenting relationships Behavioural concerns with family members Mental health concerns with family memebers Physical or mental conditions adding stress to the family unit

I have worked families to strengthen connections and enhance communication for over 20 years. Virtual counselling can take place with family members who are in multiple locations. Though video counselling you and your family can be together even when you are apart. Every family is unique. We are who we are. Together we can celebrate and learn from each other when we listen to hear.

I see families with young children, teens and adult children. Sometimes I see siblings trying to sort out old family history. I help you discern how to set appropriate boundaries that take into account issues of safety and responsibility as well as the age appropriate needs of the children. Within the family counselling, issues between the parents may need to be addressed separately as they can interfere and sometimes inadvertently sabotage parenting roles. Children can be quick to take advantage of these issues. I believe in the value of families and work to strengthen family ties.

Imagine a family as a tree with branches, roots, trunk representing parts of the immediate and extended family. When working with families, all elements are considered. Usually there is a request for family therapy due to one of it's members in crisis, often a child. However, when an analysis of need is done it becomes apparent that more than one member of the family needs help in adjusting, growing and learning new behaviours. Clients contact me for a variety of reasons: to improve communications, solve family problems, support in special situations such as death, divorce, marriage, illness, child or adolescent issues.

Our families can be our greatest source of support or cause for our most intense pain. Learning to talk and listen with respect is a key to healing. When there is a willingness for openness and acceptance of each other bridges can be mended. It is often easier to do this in a safe place with an objective person. Individual sessions are usually recommended before bringing the family together.

When working with families, I focus on built-up hurts, communication, expectations, and appropriate parent/child roles, so that all members learn how they each affect one another . We work as a team to unearth feelings that have not been shared, and how to communicate these effectively, so that they can be heard, acknowledged, and resolved. We also work on practical strategies to help with everyday life, whether this be with regards to parenting strategies, discipline, rule setting, negotiation for older children, or age appropriate expectations. By developing more empathy for one another, families can reach a greater understanding and sense of connection with one another.

[I ONLY OFFER VIDEO SESSIONS THROUGHOUT ALBERTA FOR FAMILY THERAPY - NOT ONTARIO]. None of us took degrees on how to be great parents, yet despite our best efforts, things can go amuck quickly. I have a son and a daughter of my own… I know how challenging raising children and making families work can be. I have been a psychologist since 1986. Let’s not waste time but instead get down to the issues that are affecting your family right now. Book an appointment by going to https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=14249112

Healthy communication and regulation skills foster positive and healthy family relationships. In session, we can explore and build on a family's communication skills, ability to navigate conflict or family crisis, and improve family coping styles. Together, we can build positive practices to provide a safe and supportive environment for you and your family.