Family Therapy

Families encounter challenges at different points in time and may require therapy to help them navigate these circumstances. The challenges may arise from a parent, the dynamics between the couple, challenges between siblings, and even unexpected events.  

Regardless, they often happen when there is a conflict between an individual’s inner world, their own family history, and how it interacts with the current family dynamic. When this occurs it can change the dynamics of the family and cause conflict and stress for those that are affected.

This can cause multiple challenges and individuals in distress. This is where family therapy can be useful, to diminish that stress by taking into consideration everyone’s history and help the family develop skills and coping mechanisms that allow them to navigate conflicts together.  

Susan can help you with:

  • Navigating life transitions of kids i.e. pre-school, graduating high school, adolescence and adulthood.

  • Navigating life transitions of parents i.e. job loss, retirement, grandparents requiring primary care from parent, families transitioning to a new location.

  • Helping families navigate separation and divorce.

  • Helping families navigate the challenges that arise when a close family member is extremely ill or has a terminal illness.

  • Helping families navigate how to support a child that struggles with social or learning challenges.

Susan’s style is to initially do frequent sessions with the families to ensure stability. Once you are stable, she comes up with an individualized plan that meets the needs of the family. The frequency and length of sessions may vary depending on those needs.

Family therapy sessions may include:

  • A parent and a child

  • Parents and their child

  • Siblings

  • The whole family

Family in Crisis

Oftentimes a family that has not been in therapy before may need therapy when faced with an extraordinary circumstance such as sudden bereavement, health crisis, mental health crisis, trauma, relationship changes, and identity issues. These changes can cause significant challenges to the individuals in the family and to the family dynamic as whole. 

When a family in crisis comes to Susan for therapy her approach is to meet with the family multiple times a week until they are stable. Once stability has been achieved, she will determine a unique plan that fits their needs. The frequency and length of sessions may vary depending on those needs and the state of the crisis.

The goal of providing therapy for families in crisis is to not only help stabilize the family but to provide them with tools to navigate their challenges so they feel more confident while navigating them. Ultimately, this builds resilience and gives the family hope that they can manage these challenges in the future.

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