Family Counselling Services in Mill Bay, BC.

Each of us are born into a unique family system with its own rules, roles, personalities and ways of dealing (or not dealing) with conflict. When a disruption (e.g., death, divorce, health issues, addiction, etc.) occurs, the family system is also disrupted. My approach to family therapy is to provide a safe, compassionate space free of shame and blame where family members can learn to connect with themselves better and allow their true selves to be witnessed by their family. This requires building empathy and communication skills as well as developing the courage to enter into new types of relationship with each other. Ready to improve your family relationships? Let’s get started.

As children or adults it can be really challenging to just plain get along with brothers, sisters, children and parents! Who else knows how to push our buttons better? Conflict in families is to some extent normal and necessary. Find out how to have healthy conflict management skills to be able to elicit the love and care you need from your family to offer it in return. Families of all types of configurations will learn about being an ally for each other as we work towards respect, love, collaborative problem solving and mutual understanding.

Gravitate Counselling Inc.'s supportive counselling staff can help families find new ways to communicate, improve long-standing patterns, address conflicts and enhance connection with one another. You can expect your counsellor to offer a safe space to talk about family challenges, rebuild relationships, establish new boundaries and build skills that can be used outside of the counselling setting. Family relationships can be complex, and we are here to help. Andee Dale and Linda Duarte both offer family counselling by video session, and Andee Dale is available for in person counselling in Duncan, BC.

Despite the best intentions of ourselves and our family members, we are often tangled in patterns of invalidation, rejection, frustration and blame. It can feel so messy that we operate in a constant state of fear and a crippling sense of unworthiness. In 2008 I started my counselling career as a family therapist. A combination of individual and joint sessions will take place to allow the space for all voices to be respectfully heard, while helping to identify bigger ‘systems’ patterns that keep you stuck in pain and finger-pointing. I will help to smooth out communication, make room for wants and needs and to heal the old wounds holding you back from having a healthier relationship.

Today family can mean different things to different people. Each family structure is challenged with their own set of difficulties and problems. Whether you are a blended family, single parent family due to divorce or loss, adoptive family, same sex parents, or traditional, we recognize family dynamics can be complicated. Together we will work to develop strong communication skills between each family member, while nurturing and solidifying the family unit. We will work to overcome conflict, heal the wounds of the past, build parenting skills and create a safe environment where all family members can be heard.

Family relationships can be deeply supportive, and at times, deeply complex. When communication breaks down, conflict escalates, or a family is navigating stress, trauma, or major life transitions, it can impact every member of the system. Renee provides a structured, respectful space where each voice is heard and valued, while working toward healthier patterns of connection. Family therapy with Renee focuses on strengthening understanding, clarifying roles and boundaries, and fostering emotional safety within the home.

The narcissism-co-dependency (or self-love deficit as described by Ross Rosenberg) pattern begins for many of us in the family unit. Relationships we form early in life shape our templates for relationships later in life. Learning to understand our own patterns of problem behaviours helps us develop self-awareness and opens the door to change. Is there a pattern of power imbalances, control issues, manipulation or even abuse in your family? Learn to see where things are going wrong and develop new coping techniques that help you navigate troubling relationships and build healthy new relationships.

I am honoured that you are interested in my services and I would like to tell you a little bit about myself. I have been described as slightly non-conventional in the counselling world, which suits me perfectly, and also tends to suit youth who are trying to stand up to the force of the problems in their life. I am very comfortable working with this population, and I feel fortunate that I can connect with teens the way I do, conventionally or in a way that makes sense to them and their family.

Do you feel like your young adult children are pushing you away? Are you in an amazing relationship but living as a blended family is the ultimate test of your love? Are your children acting needy, demanding, or struggling to sleep at night? Are you finding that one, or both, of you are getting short with the children? I use Emotionally Focused Family Therapy to help families experience new ways of being together. The idea is that children become calmer, more independent, and less demanding as the security in your relationship increases. Parent’s also report increased confidence in the way they parent individually, and as a couple. Contact today to schedule a free 15 minute consultation.

Every family is unique but every family I have ever worked with has difficulty balancing togetherness and separateness. Blended families have an even greater challenge. I will help you identify patterns and practices that limit closeness and intimacy and I will assist all members to better differentiate in order to realize authentic togetherness while respecting personal boundaries and the need for self.

Family means different things to each of us. In therapy, we’ll explore what family means to you, how your family of origin has shaped your beliefs and behaviors, and how family patterns continue to influence your life. This work offers a deeper understanding of your relationships and helps you develop healthier ways of connecting, healing, and creating the family experience you want moving forward. Whether you're exploring family through therapy on your own, or with other members of your family involved, a deeper understanding of who you are and how you move through the world is a goal.

Families face many challenges together that can include grief and loss, addictions, separation and divorce, life transitions and communication. Each member and your family as a whole, already has strength and insight into these challenges. Each member also has hopes and ideas for creating more connection to one another. It is important to begin the therapy process by understanding these unique strengths, insights and needs, in order to develop the direction forward. As we work together, we may meet individually, in pairs and/or as a group throughout the process. My extensive experience working with children and youth in the school system, creates inclusivity with younger family members.

The troubles of individuals and couples can affect whole families. Though I do not invite families in as a group I often work one-on-one with the children, parents and siblings of clients. Also, I might meet with combinations such as a mother and daughter or maybe brothers and sisters. Parenting and blending families are big challenges for many. Some people are upset by financial or trust issues or want to improve communication skills. Counseling helps you gain insight and understanding into how families function. You will learn new skills and increase in self esteem and confidence. You can achieve the goal of making the changes you need to make your family life more satisfying.