Family Counseling Services in Little Elm, TX.

Having a healthy family with fulfilling relationships is very possible. Its normal to argue and fight with your family members but having a unified family full of meaningful connection is very possible. Relationships are difficult and require a lot of work. Every family is unique and once you are aware of what your family's patterns and dynamics are you can become a strong, healthy, fully connected unit.

Let me guess. One partner feels alone and like they don't matter and the other feels they are always being criticized and can't get anything right. The more one asks for the other to show up, the more the partner disappears physically and emotionally. You both bicker and fight and the idea of sitting and just hanging out seems elusive, if not impossible. Something like this? Often we crave connection but are blocked by the pain and the history that gets in the way. Small fights about little things become battles that highlight our struggle to have our basic relational needs met. I can help you get under the bickering to the parts crying out for connection- to an enriching relationship.

I have been fortunate to assist couples as they work through problems occurring in their families. I help them identify ways to strengthen and heal their relationships. Parents can learn to enhance their relationships with their children, creating a stronger bond. I have helped couples who have made the decision to separate amicably while continuing to support their children in the process. I have also worked with addiction in families and have helped each member understand the cycle of addiction and begin their recovery journey.

Family therapy helps family members improve communication and resolve conflicts. I am trained in several evidence-based family therapies approaches. When conducting family therapy, I am treating the family unit not simply one person in the family. Therefore, I examine the family relationships, behaviors, and patterns and how those factors impact the functioning of the family.

I believe that every family faces unique challenges when it comes to sorting out relationship differences and day-to-day living. Whether it's navigating parent-child expectations or meeting the needs of each family member, it can be difficult to find a path forward. That's why I offer family therapy within a biblical model, providing each member the opportunity to be heard and learn to seek the Lord's guidance individually as they relate to their loved ones. Let's work together to strengthen your family and build healthier relationships.

Families who come in for counseling as a family are given a chance to work through issues in a safe environment-- where trust, respect, and honor are learned, given, and received--because the family is intentional about learning new strategies. Families learn that it is counterproductive to have an "identified patient" in the family, where one family member is "tagged" to be the only one acting out and causing family distress. Biblical and Family Systems principles may be applied to have the whole family become engaged in the positive change and nurturing process.

In family therapy, my approach centers on understanding and aligning with the goals and values of the family. To initiate the therapeutic process, a comprehensive examination of internal family systems, roles, and historical dynamics is essential. By delving into the family's history, I gain insights into pivotal events, dynamics, and patterns that have shaped their current situation. This historical context serves as a foundation for identifying areas of strength and areas that may need attention.

My approach is grounded in recognizing and addressing the unique dynamics that exist within family systems. I work collaboratively with families to foster open communication, resolve conflicts, and strengthen the bonds between family members. Ultimately, family counseling promotes healthier relationships, improved understanding, and a more harmonious family environment, leading to long-lasting positive changes and enhanced family functioning.

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.

Families are complex! Healing family problems can feel like untangling a giant hairball. That's because in some ways, it is. Your family is a network of 1:1 relationships. We first identify key conflict areas and then work to rebuild trust between individuals. Once understanding is restored, we bring it to a family level. Whether working with children, the marriage, in-laws, or siblings, the process remains similar. We get to the root of core emotions, untangling problems inhibiting communication and keeping us in negative cycles.

Families are like the baby mobile that hangs over the crib. If you pull one character, the whole thing shakes. Our families are this connected, and if you can begin to understand the roles that everyone plays, you can look at yourself and engage the system differently. Most patterns are predictable in the family (though your family patterns are different than mine) but if you recognize this and can begin to observe yourself acting differently. This will have a huge impact and change the dynamics of the family. Many times we get frustrated when we focus on what we think one member should be doing or not doing, but the change (and the relief) occurs when we look at and change ourselves.

Our families, if nothing else, play one of the most important roles in who we were, who we are, and who we will become whether we are with them or not. Learning to break free of hardwired response patterns in families can feel like trying to drive forwards when the car is in reverse. Family therapy is very different than traditional therapy- in a family session, the whole "family" is the client- meaning that no one person the focal point of change. It is our system, our patterns, that make or break how we engage, learn, and love one another. It is my hope that I can help your family create new bonds, heal old hurts, and learn to build a new system that supports each persons growth.

Let’s be honest—parents don’t have all the answers, although they wish they did. But they always have a lot of heart and a lot of love for their children. When raising children becomes challenging—or even overwhelming—know that you are not alone. Sometimes parents need help with their children, adolescents, and teens. Every parent has questions about how to improve their parenting, deal with difficult situations, and strengthen family life. Our professional family counselors can give you the guidance you are looking for…and we will also be sure to remind you that if you are filled with a lot of love for your children then you really are a great parent already!