Family Conflict

I am interested in learning more about BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ mental health issues, adolescent/teen issues, and family conflicts from a trauma informed lens.

Can members of the family grow and develop as individuals, yet support each other... now and in the future?

Relationships can be tricky things sometimes, but they can also be the most valuable thing in our lives. I am skilled in working with families from a systems perspective to access the resources they need to meet basic needs of families, then build a strong relational foundation on which positive and fulfilling relationships can be built and maintained. From sibling friendships, to partnerships, to parent-child relationships, I want to help you navigate the waters to thrive.

Who we are is shaped by being part of a system: a society, a culture, and a family. Families fall into patterns that work for a while, but as every family faces change - aging, transitioning from one life stage to another, facing tragedy, or just dealing with the things that life throws at us - we all could use help with making that transition, creating a family structure that works for YOUR situation, YOUR unique family. I am looking forward to helping you with that.

The family unit may experience significant stress because of work, school, or the personality differences of various family members. In addition, as children grow and enter new phases in their lives, parents and children may need help in a safe environment to explore ways of coping with these changes. Our clinicians work with families and/or with a parent and a child to help them learn how to navigate transitions, communicate effectively, and develop an empathic, secure connection.

I believe humans are hard wired for connection, and through relationship we have the capacity to learn more about ourselves. Healthy relationships allow us to feel safe, supported, and seen. Sometimes we get caught into negative cycles of communication with our partners that feel painful and perpetual, leaving us feeling misunderstood and alone. As a couples therapist, I work to help you slow down the cycle, identify the patterns, explore the longings and unmet needs, and communicate this effect

In my work with victims of partner abuse, I deal with the traumatic effects of divorce/separation, co-parenting, relationship/marital issues, infidelity and family of origin conflict on a daily basis. I also have a lot of experience in the field of adoption/foster care, and working with the adolescent/young adult population.

I have worked with family units who have struggled with being able to effectively communicate their emotions and concerns within the family unit. I will work to remain a neutral party that can facilitate navigation of these complex communication issues and build a plan to increase the effectiveness of communication and emotional regulation.

I have completed training to work with families and provided family therapy for over a year.

Functional Family Therapy provides an opportunity for families to experience themselves in the most organic way. As I continue to dive deeper into clinical practice through this model, i have seeing the importance of building motivation through unraveling misunderstandings and identifying family strengths and noble intentions that can assist in shifting the family and relationship narratives.

Family conflict is something that happens in every single family. Seriously, it does! You're not alone! Conflict in any type of system is going to occur naturally, whether that's due to change, or something traumatic happening. It is important to hear each member of the family on their feelings and experiences, while teaching new ways of interacting within the family that can cope with the new change or event. Change can be uncomfortable, but it is so worth it.

What we learn from our own family affects our sense of self and seeps into our partnerships, work, and child-rearing. Solid individual or couples' therapy involves values clarification, trust and commitment, developing positive feelings towards oneself and our partner, sharing in life achievements, and conflict resolution skills. Insight isn't the cure, but it's where action begins.

I am trained in Emotion-Focused Family Therapy.

Inner child work may help those experiencing interpersonal conflict. Inner child work helps explore unprocessed childhood emotions and feelings that currently impact one’s life and understanding, managing, and/or reducing triggers. One desire for inner child work may be to identify wounded areas and/or unmet needs of the child, learn to advocate, protect, or show compassion for the child, create a safe enough space to invite the child to play, and integrate the child with the adult self.

Launching young adults, parenting teens, parenting children, parenting adult children, empty nesting, financial conflicts, school conflicts, household management, defiant children, Aspergers and autism-spectrum disorders, ADHD/ADD, co-parenting Also specialize in conflicts around extended families and family businesses.

Family conflict is one of the most unique areas of therapeutic work. By taking a relational look at family conflict, I help families learn what one another is really feeling and meaning in their words and actions. By giving each member a voice, I help heal the family structure and unit.

I utilize a family systems approach to shifting the patterns that are getting in the way of a family experiencing greater harmony and acceptance. This work will help people build awareness of the rules that they play in family conflict and how to elicit change. In addition, I am skilled in helping people create healthier boundaries through assertive communication.