Family therapy services in 97026: Gervais, OR. Relationship and couples counseling.

Families are both rewarding and frustrating. I work with families as a whole and then with each member individually to determine what role they play within the family dynamic. Communication centers on both what is said and what is heard. This is done to establish respect for each individual in the family, so that the family unit can function positively and as healthy as possible. Blended family dynamics are exceptionally challenging; however, hope abounds for all concerned.

Conflict amongst family members is common. These conflicts are frequently painful and result in emotional wounds that are difficult to heal. Family Therapy incorporates all members of the family and works toward achieving common goals. Families frequently have difficulties communicating, listening to one another, and understanding the concerns of others. Family Therapy is a tool that helps to promote positive and healthy interactions amongst family members.

Family therapy is a particular approach to psychotherapy. Recognizing that the problem impacts a number of people, rather than one person, so should the solution. Therefore family therapy involves all family members. However there are times when the sessions involve only the parents. A genogram (similar to a family tree) will be created in the first session this will be referred to throughout the sessions raising awareness to the family's particular family system. Family therapy can be either short term or long term depending on the needs of the family.

Family conflict, communication difficulties, intercultural issues, blended families, and many other scenarios affect families today. Whether one member of a family is struggling, or many, the whole family may experience distress. I believe in helping the system to gain health, instead of pointing out one person as the problem. Allow me to walk along side your family during this difficult time and move towards a healthier happier family life.

I value each member of the family unit and encourage all voices to be heard in order for real change to happen. Often, one member of the family is singled out for being the "problem", when typically the problem is within the family system. I help families come to satisfactory solutions that they can live with. Topics discussed include: communication, power and control, boundaries, enmeshment, flexibility, family rules and secrets, and more. To assist couples, specifically, I use an excellent tool called, "Prepare Enrich" to assess and strengthen relationship issues for married, engaged, or unmarried couples. You may learn more about this method at: https://www.prepare-enrich.com

As a family therapist, I see things from a systemic lens. This means that I see individuals as functioning within a larger family system. Family therapy can enhance growth in family members. Family therapy can also help family members learn new healthier ways of communicating and interacting with each other. One of my passions is helping families move from a shame base to a compassionate base.

Clients who are having difficulties within their family are often surprised when they begin to understand that every member of the family (yes, even dogs and cats!) have developed fairly predictable roles within a bigger family system. It is like they are actors in a play that has been rehearsed over and over. Once they understand these patterns and roles, we move forward by searching for the patterns that are positive and the ones that that are causing pain in the family system. "Would you be willing to change those entrenched roles, if it means that your family can regain some of it's balance, playfulness, and love?" I ask them. If the answer is yes, I find that families soon benefit.

Patterns in families can be long standing and hard to shift. Often times members in a family want the same thing, they just don't know how to go about getting it together. I teach skills in communication as well as listening. If you are struggling or fighting more than you want to within the family, having someone who can listen and mediate as well teaching skills is so beneficial.

The most frequent family issues I see are problems with parenting (agreeing on limits/ consequences, either parent feeling supported by the other), difficulty with issues of adolescence (self-injury, eating disorder, suicidality, substance abuse, abusive relationships, bullying), and arguing/ yelling at one another. Any of these issues are difficult to handle; often times they occur as a bundle of issues. This can feel overwhelming to both parent and child. The whole system suffers and feelings of fear, hopelessness, guilt, anger, and resentment are free-floating with no useful direction. We will find strategies that work for your family so that you enjoy one another again.

Growing up we may have at times thought we are in some sort of really bad sit com or even a horror movie. Our families at their best can function more like an athletes' fine tuned body, ready to move, compete and win. Appreciating each parts input to the whole is important. Learning how to supportively communicate, work and heal together we get a glimpse of the lasting victory that can be ours.