Family Counseling Services in Los Altos Hills, CA.

Family therapy looks at the entire family system—parents, children, extended family members—to identify strengths and problematic behaviours. I collaborate with families on strategies for utilizing their own capabilities for resolving problems, and on developing effective communication and problem-solving skills for preventing conflicts. I specialize in working with families of teenagers, which is an age that can be challenging for both the teenagers and their parents.

When one person in the family is hurting the entire family is hurting. I work with stressed families to help them gain greater understanding of their difficulties, including ways to recognize maladaptive behaviors that may be getting in the way of their working together. Using a family systems approach I help the family to heal and move forward with compassion and understanding.

Whether you are a new family dealing with marital issues and toddlerhood, or a blended family with teens, or a middle-aged child of an aging parent, you have the need for tools and understanding of the dynamics you are dealing with. We offer couples and families empathic support that helps sort out the conflicts and needs of each member of the family. Sometimes it may seem that one family member is the problem. What we find oftentimes, is that each one has a part to play. Simply having a skilled facilitator helps bring the difficulties into a new light of understanding. We use Non-violent Communication, art therapies, and somatic methods to support healing and resolution

Most family therapists inadvertently create more chaos through their well-intentioned efforts to assist a family move through a change process. Why? Brains are inherently deregulated (all of us, may I add) and most talking and dialoguing misses brain-centric problems that need more intensive help. Many times the emotional trauma created by years of solving problems ineffectively can wreak havoc on the brain's parasympathetic nervous system, not ever giving the family a break from flight or fight thinking. Contact us for an innovative neuroscience solution to family dysfunction. Kevin@kevinflemingphd.com or 877-606-6161.

Issues arise in a family for a multitude of reasons, both big and small. In individual or marriage/couples counseling, the individual or parental unit learns skills to apply in their everyday life, including at home. In family therapy, I will work with your family and your values to help you resolve issues in a collaborative, effective and structured manner. I will work with you and your family in developing communication skills that allow each member of the family to express his/her needs in an open and honest way. Because we work within your family's value-system, the family unit learns and develops these skills together, knowing their thoughts and needs were acknowledged and respected

Family is the most important thing. However, sometimes stress and life transitions cause conflict and distress. Family members sometimes lose connection with each other. Our approach to resolving conflict and disconnection is heart-felt and based upon the idea that we all need to be connected to out loved ones. We believe all behavior makes sense and that if you get at the underlying needs and feelings propelling a behavior, you can resolve the issue. We help families repair ruptures by using empathic client centered interventions, which open up communication so that it is much fuller and deeper opening up a new dimension for the family. The benefit is a happy and cohesive family unit.

Our family can be one of our greatest resource. Yet when things go badly, it can stress us terrible. Divorce can be especially difficult for families. Children may be acting out with cutting their arms or legs. Teens may be missing school without permission. Dad may drink too much. Choosing a family therapist can be difficult. You probably want someone you can trust to help you and also support you. Also, it is important to find someone who all the family members feel is fair and caring. This can be a difficult balance to strike for a therapist. Selecting a family therapist that works well with your family can make a big difference. Often, we go to a therapist during transitions like loss, moving, a child starting school, or a new step...(view profile to read more)

The most successful approach in the world today to creating loving and close families, endorsed by the American Psychological Association for couples, is Emotionally Focused Family Therapy (EFFT), and I am here to offer my services as an Emotionally Focused Therapist. With an astounding success rate, EFFT can enrich, stabilize, connect, and support families as they move from disconnect to healthy loving connections. Forget about learning to argue better, blaming, or analyzing your early childhood and instead, get to the core of your needs to feel emotionally connected to those you love by learning how to create a secure and lasting family bond. EFFT works and you deserve to learn more!

Dysfunctional family interactions can sapped the life energy out of every family member. While all relationships have conflicts from time to time, sometimes relationships can get stuck in repetitive patterns of arguments and disagreements that result in partners or family members feel unheard, dismissed, unappreciated, or worse. These negative patterns can lead to intense negative emotional reactions and dissatisfaction within the couple or family, that challenge the core of the relationship, cause personal internal turmoil, and can derail other important aspects of our lives. Family therapy can help in first recognizing and then changing those negative dysfunctional patterns.

I offer family therapy when families are having difficulties communicating and understanding each other. Family therapy is also helpful when families are going through a difficult time and are in need of support. I provide a safe and containing therapeutic environment so family members can feel more comfortable communicating difficult feelings and thoughts. Together each family member learns how to effectively cope and resolve conflicts in a healthy manner that benefits them not only within the family, but also with other relationships in their life.

Family therapy can be highly effective for conflict resolution, healing relationships, and making clear agreements that work for everyone. Many families feel more connected during, as well as after, effective counseling. Family therapy is a safe place for each family member to express their views and experience without judgement. It is important to discuss the issues that "nobody talks about" and this enables each family member to be more authentic within their family as well as in other relationships (i.e., work, school, etc.).

ARE YOUR FAMILY MEMBERS IN CONFLICTS OR CRISIS? Counseling helps! I take a unique and effective approach to family therapy- addressing the needs and clarifying the roles of every individual in the system so that everyone knows where they are, where the family is and take the steps they need to a healthier and happier family. Call for a free telephone consult.