Family Counselling Services in St Jacobs, ON.

In working with families I am most interested in ways patterns replicate through generations. From this place of awareness families, and particularly parents, can make choices about their more preferred ways of relating. I love including playfulness into family sessions such as exploring a forest for what reminds each family member of their perspective of home.

Each family has its own unique personality that impacts the functioning of its members. I am trained in a variety of therapeutic models and the approach I take will be catered to your family dynamics and the special challenges that brought you here today. When working with the family, I help improve their ability communicate openly to challenging issues and work through ups and downs in their relationships.

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.

My interest in Family Therapy grew out of my work with patients in acute care hospitals. As I interacted with the patients and their families, I realized that if one family member is in pain, all the family members are somehow affected. This insight caused me to shift my focus away from the more traditional psychodynamic theories I was earlier taught in University and to focus instead on how family therapy and family systems brought healing. This growing body of literature, which started in the 1960s, has revolutionized my thinking, enabling me to find a more generous, holistic, and integrated approach to patient care and family healing. Schedule a free 15-minute consultation today

Family Systems Approach. The family systems approach is a theory developed by psychiatrist Murray Bowen in the 1950s. Specifically, Dr. Bowen built family systems theory and its concepts assume that there is an emotional system governing human relationships in families. Based on the roles within the system, people are expected to interact with and respond to one another in a certain way. Patterns develop within the system, and each member's behaviors impact the other members in predictable ways.

Helping families to understand how they interact with one another and how they each respond in different situations is beneficial to being able to enjoy being together as a family. My goal is to ensure that each family member can be heard not only by myself, the counsellor, but also by the other family members. As we are made to be in relationship with other family members, my goal is to help those relationships become stronger and respectful of one another.

In my work with family estrangement, I offer a compassionate and nonjudgmental space to navigate the complex mix of grief, guilt, relief, and longing that often accompanies distance from family. Estrangement can bring both pain and protection, and I support clients in understanding the boundaries, histories, and emotional needs involved. Together, we explore ways to process loss, strengthen self-trust, and find meaning in chosen connections and personal growth. My approach honours each person’s story and the courage it takes to face such deeply personal and often hidden experiences.

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.

My family therapy services focus primarily on addiction related-concerns where I address each family member’s unique feelings and needs as they relates to their loved one’s addiction. Addiction can have a ripple effect on a family, impacting each member in their own way. Whether the family member tries to keep the peace, play the role of the rescuer or has completely withdrawn, I support each member in navigating the situation in a way that feels helpful for them. I work with families to improve communication, set healthy boundaries and learn to take care of their own needs. Families learn how to manage challenges as a team and to support each other without impacting their own wellbeing.

Family therapy can be very helpful in improving communication and reducing conflict, increasing cooperation in the family. Families going through changes and transitions can benefit from having someone facilitate communication and cooperative problem solving. Are you facing challenges in your adult family relationships? Family therapy can be a way to have the difficult conversations you would like to have with family members and come to a place of better understanding and acceptance.

We all learn differently, express differently, and quite often perceive experiences differently because we bring a different "lens" and that is why your counsellor needs to be CREATIVE and FLEXIBLE. As parents we feel a deep responsibility to be these great parents and raise remarkable kids, but life isn't so easy and we are far from perfect. We need to give ourselves a break sometimes because we are only doing the best we can with what we have. Sometimes we just need a little help along the way. No matter how large your family is, lets find solutions and have FUN while we are doing it!

Working on our family relationships can set the foundation for a happier and healthier life! Our therapists will help you learn skills and process emotions that are necessary to feel more connected as a family unit. Using a variety of different tools and techniques, our clinicians help the family dyad understand the root cause of the struggle, practicing compassion and empathy. We then prioritize working on effective communication and conflict management, and help family members reconnect again in more loving and joyful ways. If you're wanting to build healthier & stronger bonds with your loved ones, book a consult or session today! www.kaleidoscopecounsellingco.com

Sherry enjoys helping families understand one another and implement changes that will improve the family dynamics. She meets with the individuals who are part of the family system, listens to their issues and concerns, and then brings everyone together to discuss the issues and, when needed, develop a plan. When the group meeting takes place, she ensures that everyone is emotionally safe by establishing 'guidelines for respectful discussion'.

In family therapy, I provide a supportive space for your family to come together, improve communication, and work through challenges as a unit. Whether you’re facing conflict, stress, or feeling disconnected, I help each family member feel heard and understood. Together, we develop healthier ways to resolve disagreements, strengthen relationships, and create a more harmonious and connected family environment where everyone can feel supported and valued.

Family dynamics are complicated. Each family has established patterns, such as how everyone communicates within the family system, how they deal with stressful situations and conflict, their roles in the family unit and how members seek support from one another. While I do not offer family therapy sessions, my clinic, Psychotherapy Collective has many child and family therapists availability to schedule a free 15-minute consultation to ensure they are the proper fit for your journey. Visit our family therapy page to find a therapist https://www.psychotherapycollective.ca/services/child-and-family-therapy

Within each family are the experiences of each family member. In family therapy, you, and your family can explore how each member’s roles and perspectives impact the family as a whole. You can learn to cultivate a family environment grounded in respect for individual experiences, sense of connection and shared understanding. I work with individuals, couples and families. Book a free consultation to explore if we are a good fit for therapy.

My background in relational therapy allows me to understand individuals through the relationships they cohabit. Families come in various forms and sizes, and at times, navigating through these relational dynamics and understanding differing perspectives may be difficult. Throughout our time together, we will work to make each member’s voice heard, find ways of communication that feel helpful, and establish and restore connection. Please reach out for a free consultation to see if we are a good fit.

Family dynamics are complicated. Each family has established patterns, such as how everyone communicates within the family system, how they deal with stressful situations and conflict, their roles in the family unit and how members seek support from one another. Reach out to schedule a free 15-minute family therapy consultation to see if I am the right fit for your family.

In the contemporary world, families manifest in diverse and dynamic forms, often encountering unique challenges. At Atlas Therapy, we empower family units to nurture psychological and emotional connections. Through recognizing imbalances, we guide members in acquiring functional communication skills, fostering an environment where each individual feels heard, supported, and understood. Our goal is to strengthen the bonds of all families, irrespective of their shapes, sizes, or compositions.

Family life is filled with developmental stages and many changes. Navigating through these changes can be challenging at times. Psychotherapy can help families gain greater understanding of each other and discover new ways to communicate. It is my goal to provide a safe place for families to come together to share their experience and work together on their common goal. It would be an honor to work with you.