Counseling Services

Couples and Family Therapy

In Couples/Marriage Therapy only the couple attends sessions. At times individually, but the majority of times sessions are together. With Family Therapy, members of the family are met with either individually, or collectively, or in any variation.

The therapists providing these services have a specialized area of training in which they recognize the value of positive, stable, long-term, and emotionally strong relationships. Families and relationships all have strengths and challenges; those challenges can stem from personalities, work, parenting, grief, or any number of life situations.

In Couples/ Marriage and Family Therapy the therapists analyze the process of the family interaction and communication as a whole without taking sides. Family dynamics and patterns are explored to improve relationships and strengthen communication between couples or family members. The goal is to help family members become more conscious of patterns or structures that have been previously taken for granted which may or not be working in their favor for the benefit of the whole. Families/Couples who receive therapy are helped to understand the motivations and actions of others, as well as how and when to accept the behaviors of others. In addition, they are taught techniques to modify their own behaviors. Successful therapy begins with commitment to the process and patience.

Based on the needs of clients, therapy may include things such as:

• Identifying how you chose your partner and how you have established your household (roles, rules, etc.).
• Identification of how your family of origin impacts your relationships and parenting today.
• Learning how to effectively communicate with each other and the children.
• Learn and improve problem solving skills in a way that benefits the family unit as a whole.
• Identifying parenting strategies that promote well being for the entire family.
• Maintaining or gaining a strong relationship in the midst of a crisis or challenging diagnoses.
  

Couples/Marriage and Family Therapy may include, but is not limited to, active listening, role playing, role modeling, behavior modification, play therapy, as well as homework assignments.