Family Counseling Services in San Diego, CA.

Family therapy is a wonderful modality to assist families in improving communication, interaction, respect, support or addressing a concern that is impacting the family unit. Family therapy can increase understanding and assist family members in functioning at their optimal level and achieving their individual and family goals. Family therapy can help members and families attain healing needed to process difficult situations and trauma by improving communication, structure and boundaries.

Family therapy is often the treatment of choice for families who are confronted with specific crisis situations, (such as death, divorce, illness, or child/adolescent issues). When the family is the client, I assess the way members interact and work to improve communication and problem-solving skills, as well as resolve the current life stressors. Each family member plays a role in the way the family interacts and is seen as a vital participant in both the healthy and dysfunctional styles of interaction. Therefore, in family counseling the goal is to assist each member to work together more effectively to create a more functional family unit.

As well as child therapy, we also provide family therapy services and at times in conjunction with child therapy. We can assist you in learning skills and improving your communication within the family unit in order to make progress towards a happier home and for all to be able to engage better with one another. We use evidenced based practices in order to assist in making the most progress.

The family is the backbone of our society. With this in mind, a healthy functioning family is of great importance. There are many causes to problems and issues that a family faces. Once these problems are identified, then the family and therapist can go to work to resolve the issue and strengthen the family. A family systems approach is an effective way that I have helped families resolve their issues. In looking at the roles or "dance" that each person plays in the family that contributes to the problem, the problem issue can then be focused on and resolved by identifying what each person can do differently to experience the desired outcome of the family.

When I work with families, together we look for patterns and cycles that the family seems to be repeating but are creating problems for the family. When there is stress in the family, emotions tend to be very strong, so it can be difficult to think through each person's part in the family that may be keeping the system from changing. In family therapy we work at lowering the anxiety so that we can collaborate together for positive solutions.

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.

I specialize in online parent coaching with the goal of helping you and your family have a closer more intimate relationship. After 11 years of working with children and families, I have concluded that this is the most effective way I can support families because you parents are the leaders of your home. If I can empower you through my knowledge and experience to implement some strategies at home, you can achieve your goals for your family. The support I provide will be sufficient for many families, but there are some situations that could benefit from the in-vivo coaching and direction that in person family therapy provides. Call me for a free 15 minute consultation about your nee

So the kids are failing school? Your teenager is hostile and defiant? Or is depression undermining your children's success? Whatever the issue, we can identify your family strengths and weaknesses, and make adjustments that will allow your child or teenager to recover and thrive. There is no reason at all to accept failure. My approach firmly establishes parents as "Queen and King of The Castle", lovingly and resolutely leading the Kingdom. Your kids will LOVE YOU for it. And yes, you deserve that love!

I practice EFFT - Emotionally Focused Family Therapy whose goal is to help families in their relationships to become stronger and safer. We all have conflict from time to time with those we love. What matters most is to be able to have healthy repair with each other to heal and forgive and move forward in healthy, loving, lasting relationships with those who mean the most.

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.

Families may be a source of security or conflict, love or strong dislike ( I did not want to say hate, although many a teenager has said the dreaded words "I hate you!) Many times families are able to work through the struggles and stay connected with each other, sometimes families need a little outside help. I want to improve the familial interaction and nurture change in order to create a safe haven that can endure any storm.

Each stage of a family's life cycle presents new and unique challenges. Interaction patterns that were functional in earlier stages may no longer be effective. Coping with challenges and negotiating new boundaries and ways of relating can be difficult and problems can appear overwhelming. I assist families in developing manageable solutions, maintaining connections, and re-establishing an environment of mutual love and support. Don’t live with the pain and fear of family conflict any longer. Contact me so we can get your family the support you need.