Family therapy services in 39170: Terry, MS. Relationship and couples counseling.

What is it they say about families--"can't live with 'em, can't live without 'em"...? Just because our family may have known us longer or better than anyone else doesn't automatically make it easy for us to live with each other. In fact, more often than not, those are the very people with whom we clash the most, and by whom we feel most misunderstood and unappreciated. Family therapy can help us learn how to accept our differences and communicate better with each other about the things that matter to us. It can help identify unhealthy learned patterns of behavior and relating so that we can learn ways to love each other better, or at least live with other more peacefully.

If you have any issue it is often helpful to look at it in the context of family systems. Jill Johnson, MDiv. is very skilled at holding all the pieces of the system at once. Within the family it is all about a series of encounters where we learn how to socialize as a pattern for how we relate to the rest of our world. We work with one family member at a time as other members are called on to role play. Clients actively learn how to better relate to each other. They warm up to change and learn through spontaneity and creativity how to solve their own issues. We find it to be more effective than using ordinary "talk therapy."

I come from a large family (7 children). My parents, happily married for almost 40 years,were great Chrisrtian role models for us. My husband and l have tried to be same for our kids. Families have to learn to live together with various personalities, respect each other and differences and most importantly how to love. I help teach a) how to resolve conflicts peacefully and amicably; b) see the beauty of an extended family but set boundaries when needed and; c) when there's an ongoing crisis or illness that the family system is affected. My approach is tailored to the family by having members listen to each other so they can learn to communicate effectively, love, have peace and fun.

Family counseling is counseling that generally involves the family as a unit: Dad, Mom, and child/children, and any others who may be living in the same household. The idea is that the family challenges/problems take place in the context of the family unit and that the solution or resolution of the problem(s) will be implemented in the context of the family unit. I will work with your family to identify and adjust patterns of behavior/communication that are working to perpetuate the family dysfunction. There is Hope. Change is Possible. Help is available.