Family therapy services in 33309: Fort Lauderdale, FL. Relationship and couples counseling.

My approach to family therapy is to allow space for family members to voice their thoughts and opinions to each other in a safe space. Prior to coming together, I work with family members individually to help them to learn how to express themselves effectively and utilize validation as a uniting force within the family. Even in families where it seems impossible to find something to validate, it is important to come back to an understanding and validation of the family member's emotional experience. I teach each of my clients how to use "I" statements to express themselves and take ownership of their own emotional responses. It is during these times that people truly feel seen and heard.

While it can be interesting to explore all the roots of family problems, it can also be painful. More important, it almost never helps families to function better. Instead of dredging up the past (which wastes lots of time and money and cannot be changed), I help families to build solutions that are effective and permanent -- even if they don't fully understand how the problems developed.

When families learn to identify and modify maladaptive patterns of relating as they are guided into challenging inflexible roles assigned or adopted by its members, the system that the family is begins to move towards a healthier and more functional unit. Moreover, becuase, often times the person identified as the problem, is nothing but the expression of the symptoms of the family which may include ineffective distribution of power and responsibility, addressing structural issues can also contribute to transform families and turn them into safer and and more balanced.

Dr. Weatherford may suggest family therapy to help the identified patient resolve his/her issues. The family unit is like a well balanced mobile. If one object on the mobile changes (or gets better) other members of the family may need to make changes or adjustments. The positive change in the family member may disrupt the balance of the family unit. Short courses of family therapy can well restore the homeostasis of the family unit and allow it to be more receptive to the changes in the identified patient.

Difficulties in the family can manifest in the healthiest of families. Many families struggle to find balance, build trust, and to overcome challenging obstacles. They can be especially painful, help to increase miscommunication, and build resentments. I can help you to overcome these obstacles and work through challenging situations to help alleviate stressors and increase general happiness.