Family Counselling Services in Devon, AB.

Treatable conditions appear in the most traditional of families. In addition, the number of non-traditional families (blended, adopted, foster, alternative lifestyle) is increasing; and treatable conditions arise in these families, too. When unhealthy and/or unfulfilling patterns affect whole families, it can be useful to involve the entire family in the healing process. At Sussman Psychological, family members interact on a level playing field where everyone has a chance to be heard, and an obligation to listen well and to hear others. The usual power structure is temporarily put aside in favor of optimizing effective communication processes at the level of the emotions.

I have worked families to strengthen connections and enhance communication for over 20 years. Virtual counselling can take place with family members who are in multiple locations. Though video counselling you and your family can be together even when you are apart. Every family is unique. We are who we are. Together we can celebrate and learn from each other when we listen to hear.

Each family member, although a part of a unit runs on their own. When that unit goes off path it is important to look at each component of that unit as a source of resolution and as an integral component to family well-being and balance. Problem Solving Therapy looks at the family or couple unit and its social context. What is happening within the relationship? What is happening around the relationship? What influences the relationship? The emphasis in Problem Solving Therapy is on the social situation of the problem. The problem is seen as a result of the person(s) responses to their environment. Here each problem is approached with techniques specific to the situation. This therapy defines a ....

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.

Family relationships play an important role in our lives and can provide us with a strong sense of connection and belonging. When challenges/stresses arise they can have a ripple effect on everyone involved. I help families identify the issues involved, find direction, and establish more effective tools in communicating with each other and progress toward resolution of concerns.

Families create complex dynamics, particularly in today’s times – what with blended families, separated couples sharing child custody, and so on. Do you find yourself and your family members struggling within such circumstances? I am passionate about working with you to increase effective communication and develop healthy relational patterns. Together, we will work within a safe, non-judgemental, respectful and compassionate environment. Healthy family relationships are essential to basic safety, stability and consistency in yours and your children’s lives. This becomes the foundation for your children’s growth and adaptation to life’s challenges.

Families can be challenging. I am part of a family, I get it. Working through conflict, disagreements, differences, and piled on issues from that past often ends in things becoming more challenging and confusing. As a family therapist I can help sort through these challenges. By taking a better look at the interpersonal processes, patterns of emotions, thought, and behavior, we can gain more understanding, increase our compassion and patience for ourselves and others, and begin to find more effective ways of being together.

I see families with young children, teens and adult children. Sometimes I see siblings trying to sort out old family history. I help you discern how to set appropriate boundaries that take into account issues of safety and responsibility as well as the age appropriate needs of the children. Within the family counselling, issues between the parents may need to be addressed separately as they can interfere and sometimes inadvertently sabotage parenting roles. Children can be quick to take advantage of these issues. I believe in the value of families and work to strengthen family ties.

Families are living organisms, constantly evolving and changing. As individuals grow, they have different needs and require, within reason, a flexible environment that will adapt to these changing needs while ensuring that the wellbeing of the greater family unit remains intact. For various reasons, families suffer crises during times of change, and family members have strong emotional responses to one another that elicit or contribute to these crises. Psychologists trained in Marital and Family Therapy have the assessment and intervention means to help families navigate the sometimes turbulent developmental stages with safety and understanding.

At our clinic, we recognize that everyone's "nest" can differ. Whether you are co-parenting, married, heterosexual, LGBTQ+ identifying, separated, divorced, or blended - we provide a safe space for families of all shapes and sizes to get the care and support they need. We provide a non-judgemental space for families to explore their concerns and grow together.

A Masters in Marital and Family therapy, including extensive work with struggling families, has prepared me to help you work out your differences, no matter how long they have been troubling you. Sometimes patterns in communication just get "stuck", and we need a little outside help to make new shifts in how we see each other and communicate with one another. I can help you make those shifts!

Families are complicated and exist in many different forms; nuclear families, multi-family units, blended families, adopted families, foster families, siblings, parent/child, etc.. In all these settings communication breakdown and conflicts can arise. With many differing views and perspectives, navigating and finding solutions to conflict can sometimes seem impossible. Some areas of focus in family therapy: Conflict between family members Blended families Divorce/Separation Grief and loss Navigating co-parenting relationships Behavioural concerns with family members Mental health concerns with family memebers Physical or mental conditions adding stress to the family unit

When working with families, I focus on built-up hurts, communication, expectations, and appropriate parent/child roles, so that all members learn how they each affect one another . We work as a team to unearth feelings that have not been shared, and how to communicate these effectively, so that they can be heard, acknowledged, and resolved. We also work on practical strategies to help with everyday life, whether this be with regards to parenting strategies, discipline, rule setting, negotiation for older children, or age appropriate expectations. By developing more empathy for one another, families can reach a greater understanding and sense of connection with one another.