We understand how important your family is to you. In fact, we believe you are the foremost expert on your family. This is why we partner with you to help your family find more peace at home. When you are right in the middle of everything, it can sometimes be difficult to see the negative relationship patterns in your family–that’s where we can help. Perhaps your family needs help improving communication and expressing emotions in healthy ways. Perhaps you want to learn how to connect safely around hot topics and difficult circumstances. We can help you make little shifts in your family dynamic to establish healthy boundaries, foster closeness, and produce lasting benefits.
What is family therapy good for?
Relationships have been shown to impact individual mental health. The family provides the context and environment for a person’s well-being, for better or worse. We are dedicated to your sustained healing, and family therapy can help parents and other family members support one another long after therapy is complete. Family therapy can be helpful for the following:
- Abandonment and estrangement
- Divorce and blended families/step families
- Adoptions and other changes related to guardianship and living situations
- Grandfamilies, single-parent families, and other non-nuclear family structures
- Impacts of severe mental illness or substance abuse
- Family stress related to loss, illness, transitions, traumatic events, and more
- Anxiety, depression, behavioral issues, eating disorders, etc. in children and teens.
Family therapy for parenting help
Parenting is one of the hardest roles we can take on in life. At Lakewood Family Therapy, supporting parents is one of our top priorities. You are not a bad parent if you are struggling with your child. Research shows that “good enough” parenting is just that– good enough. If you are trying your best, you are doing okay. However, we understand that there are many life circumstances, transitions, and struggles that create roadblocks to building safe and supportive relationships. We are committed to helping you reach your parenting goals by providing the tools you need to develop parenting skills, manage the many personal stresses you face, and empower you to support your child. We offer individual parenting, couples parenting, co-parenting, and family parenting sessions in order to create the most supportive environment possible. Your therapist will make recommendations that fit your unique circumstance.
What is family therapy like?
Family therapy is different from individual therapy in that it is sometimes more experiential than it is basic talk therapy. Family therapy will certainly include family discussions (developmentally appropriate) but can also include art projects, activities, and play-acting or roleplaying. We aim to make family therapy fun and engaging for every member of the family. Even if your family is all “grown up,” we find it a special privilege to work with parents and their adult children. Whatever your family’s structure and story, we are here to support you as you work toward healthier, happier times.