Family therapy services in 75039: Irving, TX. Relationship and couples counseling.

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.

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.

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.

If Melanie agrees its appropriate, Melanie works with families according to their clinical needs as individuals as well as the family as a whole. Structural family therapy is used to strengthen certain relationships, say, between the siblings, in order to improve family life. Melanie is very sensitive to only discussing certain problems within certain levels of the family, so you can expect people to be shuffled in and out of the therapy room depending on what's discussed.

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.

You can think of a family as a team. Each member has a contribution to make and has an impact on the other members. When a child, teen or parent is struggling it affects the entire family. For more than 25 years I've helped families work through challenges and build on their strengths in order to enjoy richer more fulfilling lives. I provide a supportive atmosphere where your family can learn problem-solving and coping skills, the keys to more effective communication and improved ways of relating to each other.

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.

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.

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.

We are helping children and families meet life’s toughest challenges. If the family is the foundation of our society, then building healthy homes and families should be a top priority for us all. With its foundation deeply rooted in Christian principles, the purpose of our work with Families is to help children and their families meet and overcome even the most difficult challenges in their lives. We strive to facilitate the building of a healthy, loving family for every child we meet.

I believe that the family structure is critical to each individuals overall mental well being. Often times, there are multiple lives, that intersect in families and that can lead to arguments, struggle and strife. Whether you are in a family of 2 or a family of 6 sometimes we all need a little help understanding each other. I am here to help support you and your family in navigating the complications that come with all of those personalities living under one roof!

Regardless of the family structure, all families must work at building positive relationships among its members. At times, this can be a challenging task. At Christ Centered Counseling we strive to help family members to restore peace, harmony, and unity. We teach and encourage each member of the family to take responsibility for his or her behavior and to be accountable to each other for the well being of the family unit. Blended family counseling is available for families working through relational issues.

In family therapy you will learn and practice effective communication skills allowing members to dialogue on their problems, concerns and feelings by demonstrating active listening, curiousity and interest in each others perspective. Problem solving requires a willingness on the parts of all members to contribute to the solutions. Topics discussed include; parenting techniques, establishing healthy boundaries, and family contracts to negotiate terms and come to an agreement on how the family will handle future family problems and to commit to positive change. Benefits of family therapy include more respectful communication, responsible behavior, improved relationships, and fun!