Family Counselling Services in Oak Ridges, ON.

Dr. Van Blyderveen, Dr. Saliba, and Dr. Brunet each offer family therapy at New Leaf Psychology Centre. Through family therapy, you and your family will learn to communicate more effectively with one another, better understand each other, and experience more frequent moments of closeness. Attention will be given to balancing the relationship quality with the different roles of parents and children. Dr. Saliba has a special interest in working with blended families, and Dr. Brunet has a special interest in facilitating attachment between young children (ages 0 through 6) and their parents.

As a family counselor, I approach therapy with the belief that each family has unique strengths and challenges. My goal is to help families recognize and build upon their strengths, while also addressing areas that may be causing tension or conflict. I strive to create a safe and non-judgmental environment where each member of the family can feel heard and understood. Through communication and collaboration, we can work together to improve relationships, develop healthier coping strategies, and create a stronger family unit. Whether it's navigating a difficult life transition, addressing behavioral issues with children, or improving communication between family members, I am dedicated to hel

Our families can benefit from family therapy when they experience any stressful event that puts pressure on family relationships, such as financial hardship, family fractures or break ups, or the death of a loved one. Some issues we would focus on in family sessions are improving communication and solving conflicts, exploring ways we can support a family member who is experiencing difficulties, and how to grow stronger moving forward. It can seem like a monumental task. However with hope, optimism and commitment families can get better.

In Family Therapy, I work with all family members to improve communication, resolve conflicts, and strengthen family dynamics. Each family member’s perspective is valued, and we focus on fostering understanding and empathy within the family unit. Using a blend of systems theory and Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), I help families address patterns of behavior that contribute to tension or disconnection. My approach encourages open dialogue, promotes emotional support, and helps families develop healthier coping strategies, leading to stronger, more resilient relationships that support every member’s well-being.

Sometimes the difficulties occurring in a family are systemic - which means that there is not really a 'problem person' but a family interaction malfunction. In family counselling, it is understood that everyone in the family impacts and affects everyone else and the whole is greater than the sum of the parts. It is also understood that the way to 'fix' a family problem is not by simply changing specific behaviours, but by changing the structure of the family. This can be a very important process for the many different types of families that we have in our society.

We are made for both being in relationships, and for being unique in our individuality. Putting these together in a way that honours both individuals and the family as a whole is an ongoing challenge. Our goals in family counselling is to clarify what those challenges are, the factors which contribute to them, and ways of resolving issues so the family and its members can not only survive, but can thrive.

Family dynamics can be challenging to navigate even during the best of times, and family therapy can help each member of the family unit find new ways to relate, connect, and communicate with each other. Giving each family member the chance to feel heard and valued while also navigating external stressors like work and school can be a struggle, so I work collaboratively with clients to identify and explore patterns of interaction that they want to strengthen or change, while highlighting each member’s contributions, and celebrating the family’s successes. Book a free consultation to learn more about my approach and explore if we are a good fit.

Families are complicated systems will all sorts of problems, often due to misunderstandings. I have worked with many families to improve communication leading to more harmonious living situations. This often takes some compromise. I would be happy to work with your family to help you understand each other and live more peacefully. *I work with children and parents who are divorced however I do not work with families where custody is in dispute. I do not provide custody assessments.*

[I ONLY OFFER VIDEO SESSIONS THROUGHOUT ALBERTA FOR FAMILY THERAPY - NOT ONTARIO]. None of us took degrees on how to be great parents, yet despite our best efforts, things can go amuck quickly. I have a son and a daughter of my own… I know how challenging raising children and making families work can be. I have been a psychologist since 1986. Let’s not waste time but instead get down to the issues that are affecting your family right now. Book an appointment by going to https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=14249112