Family Counselling Services in Pitt Meadows, BC.

Most of my training has been in family therapy. I love having the opportunity of working with the whole family as it is often so productive and rewarding! I have training in several different modalities which provides me with the opportunity to mix and match as needed when trying to help families solve complicated issues! It is often much more effective working with the complete family rather than pieces of the family.

Working with families using family systems approach and doing assessments facilitated by creative techniques and arts-based activities. Helping families improve their communication by means of Imago dialogue (reflecting back and summarizing what's been heard). Conflict management and mediation; teaching coping strategies such as "I-talk".

I believe that we are all profoundly shaped and impacted by our family systems and larger social context. From this perspective I do not believe that "problems" are solely located within the individual. I believe they are impacted by our family system within a social context. In family therapy, we will explore the "problem" and how it is impacting the family system. For example, how are the family members affected by the "problems" and how are they responding. Using a Systemic Family Systems Approach with interventions from Response-Based Practice and Narrative Therapy we will explore the interactions in which the "problems" occur. We will also explore the meaning behind the responses.

My hope for clients who are experiencing challenges in their family relationships is that they will create greater understanding and acceptance of one another. Clients will build healthy communication skills that will assist them in resolving current issues, as well as preventing future conflicts from occurring. It is my hope that each family member will develop a willingness to accept the uniqueness of the other members in the family, as well as a willingness to listen and understand one another. Through this process of learning how to come together with openness, each person will be affirmed that he/she matters and has a voice in the family.

Family can be our most stable, loving, caring and nurturing parts of our lives. When family issues come up, then our sense of well being can be thrown into turmoil. I have 16 years of experience working with families. If you are struggling with parenting issues with a child, teen, adult or extended family issues, then I can help. I work with the whole family or parts of a family system. Every family is unique and, therefore, a unique approach is required. I will work with you to access your insight and knowledge you possess to help your family. I have worked with families from diverse cultural backgrounds. Call me today to see how my services can ease struggles & tensions in your family.

In family therapy everyone has a voice. Going around the circle in the family and hearing everyone's opinion and thoughts about the situation that the family is dealing with is how healing occurs. Families are viewed as a system, what one family member does or does not do impacts the whole family. Understanding this is how family members help heal each other.

Families operate much like a watch. There are several systems working both individually and together, preforming a common task. When conflict or problems arise, it is important to take into consider all members of the system as the most effective approach relies on the strengths the family has as whole. Changes to the parenting dynamic will effect each child individually and as collective. Like wise one child's challenging behaviors will have rippling effects on the rest of the family. By addressing how the family works together and supporting the whole system, everyone benefits and becomes stronger.

My approach to family therapy is to try to get family members to understand each other better so they can work through what is getting in the way for them. I will look to help the family with the communication with one another along with listening to each other. I will want to explore each individual's values, beliefs and hopes to help the family better understand each other about each person's hopes. I look forward to helping families exploring how they can work together and not blame each other.