Family Counseling Services in Paramount, CA.

Family therapy improves the family by improving the relationships that each of the family members have with each other. The goal is for all family members to feel understood, respected, appreciated, supported, and loved by the rest of the family. Typically, families seek help when one of the family members has caused problems that have shaken up the whole family, bringing distress to everyone. Family therapy does not just single that person out and "fix" them, but seeks to help the whole family come together as a team and address the problem together. Common problems would include sibling rivalry, recent divorce, severe adolescent rebellion, and struggles with parenting step children.

All family systems have rules and unspoken rules that help regulate and assist families to cope with stress. I like to teach clients the failure of a family or parent and then challenge them to let go of these family rules and to find new rules and boundaries to help them now live. As a result, family therapy is used to help reduce stress and increase acceptace and support.

Feeling disconnected from your partner or children? Struggling with parenting or putting yourself on your "to do" list? There are so many demands on our everyday life, we often lose sight of our most important relationships, our family. Family comes in all types of configurations, whether you are a single parent, a couple with no children, a couple of the same sex, married or not married, your family priorities are my priority as your therapist. I practice positive psychology techniques that allow us a deep understanding of your family values, and how to make changes in your family's behavioral patterns to reflect those values.

I work with families who have loved ones with addiction issues and perform interventions when needed. Addiction becomes a family issue and does affect the entire family system. I also engage with clients who may need support with family unification. Each member of a family system has a perspective and is an intricate part of the family system. As such, each family members voice is important

As a licensed marriage and family therapist, my education, training, and experience has had an emphasis on the family system. When working with families, a focus on the structure of the family, roles, rules, boundaries, and communication are areas included in our work together. Families of origin, extended families, and blended families can participate in family therapy and I find it beneficial when we can include all involved so everyone has a voice.

In my ten years of experience, I have been fortunate to work with many families in treatment. Studies have shown that a supportive adult in a child/teens life can make a huge difference in the outcomes of treatment. When I work with minors (11 and below) having the parent(s) involved in treatment is a necessity. When I work with a teen or someone who is 12 years and up, I work closely with parent(s) but ensure confidentiality,safety, and trust between the therapist and teen. If teen deems appropriate my aim is to always include parent in treatment as much as possible. I also offer individual session to teen parents and this can be a supportive parenting service without teen present.

At Relate Therapy Center, we help families that are struggling. Whether it's an unresolved conflict that has been too difficult to talk about, or a difference in parenting styles, or an unexpected loss or crisis. We can help! Meeting with a therapist can provide the support and direction that families need to help resolve difficult and complex conflicts.

Young children often have difficulty expressing their needs and because of that they display tantrums and maintain a state of irritability, anger and sadness. They don’t know how to make sense of how they feel. They need the help of adults to guide them to understand what their thoughts and feelings are and how to be aware of their needs and feelings. Dr. Simina has worked with young children and teens for the past few decades in psychotherapy, which she helped them figure out and efficiently communicate their needs and feelings that is at the heart of their self of calmness and positive self-image. She also utilizes art therapy, an evidenced-based type of therapy for children and teens, which ultimately increases their sense of identity and...(view profile to read more)

Family Therapy is essential when a family is unbalanced and in need of guidance on how to become a family unit with a healthier structure. Working with a therapist you will be able to validate each family members desires, discuss family goals and improve communication skills to continue using even after therapy ends. Family therapy is not only essential to the family unit but for each individual to be able to feel important and included in family decisions.

Families can be very complex and sometimes hard to understand with so many different roles that each family member may play. Family therapy would be very helpful with understanding each member of the family and how each one functions on a daily basis. Therapy would also provide tools to learn how to listen and have more effective communication with each other.

Emotional problems play out in families. They often start there. If this is the case: no matter how much individual therapy a person gets, things don't really seem to get better. Sometimes the whole family needs to be involved in the therapeutic process. Call me for a consultation to find the best course of action for you and your family. We can get to the root of the issues to help you start a whole new relationship with your family.

Families are complicated machines. There are many parts, all of which must work in unison and balance with one another. When this balance is disrupted because one or more family members are having an issue or a hard time, the entire machine (family) stops functioning optimally. Like any machine would, your family may need a "tune up" at that time. You must relearn how to function at your best.

I approach family therapy from a perspective that the family is one organic system--each member plays a part in the system. Roles are are defined and reinforced. Every family has an equilibrium. When change happens quickly, the family system gets dysregulated. Seeing interactional patterns and making subtle shifts in ways of relating can make dramatic changes. My role is to help make those shifts slowly and in ways that feel the least disruptive.