Family therapy

I work with families of all types. Family is whatever a client says family is. I specialize in work with adolescents and their parents, adolescent or adult siblings, and adult children and their parents. I work with families on parenting, how to communicate emotionally and effectively, set boundaries, maintain connection, and navigate family dynamics during crisis. I help individuals within the family system to access their true selves, and to grow and heal within and/or out of the family system in a way that feels right to them.

I take a systemic, whole-person in-context (of society, culture and family) approach to my work. I openly acknowledge the inherent power dynamic in the therapeutic relationship, and work to shift that into true relational work between us and between each member of the family - we work as a team. It is common for me to work with certain members of the family in smaller groups or individually throughout our work, and then come back together as a family unit. I discuss these options with all members of the family and make sure that we agree on a plan of care before moving forward. The family’s input, on where we go with the work and how we do that work, is a huge part of the process.

I use a Supportive Family Therapy model and integrate the Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy (AEDP) model into my work with families. Through the use of intentional communication and privileging the felt experience of each member of the family, the core emotions and issues can emerge. By moving slowly, guiding explicit emotional communication and helping families engage in active listening with one another, better connections and healthier communication can prevail within the family. In the case of unresolvable conflict, I work with families on healthy boundary setting and finding their desired level communication/connection with the family member.