Family, Teen & Child Counseling
Because Families are Forever.
Fortifying the bonds in our families has never been more important. Family dynamics are always complex, and sometimes, even in the best of circumstances, feelings overwhelm and communication breaks down creating a rift in our connections to each other. We know how to help you (re)connect.
At FAMILY STRONG COUNSELING
we understand the nuances of family relationships. When frustration, sadness, anger or resentment divides family members our counselors facilitate (re)connection, acceptance, and love for each other.
The FAMILY STRONG style
works on a foundation of openness, compassion, and trust. We walk side by side with your family giving supportive and gentle guidance. We will build bridges over communication gaps and interrupt angry patterns of hurtful words or actions that get in the way of family growth, wholeness, and connection. And we’ll do it together.
Therapists at Family Strong have the education in family relationship systems and dynamics necessary to effectively help families overcome the unique challenges they face.
We want your family to be a safe harbor of connection.
We believe wholeheartedly in the beauty and strength of the family! Helping families create feelings of trust and safety and improving communication and problem solving lie at the heart of what we do. We love helping families grow stronger by creating wholeness and healing connections. We help families create a safe harbor of compassion and connection by honing the skills necessary to navigate the troubled waters of disharmony and disconnection.
Teens need therapists that get it.
We care about teens Family Strong! Developing the therapeutic relationship with teenagers can be tricky. Counseling with teens requires a special set of skills that not every counselor possesses, or wants to develop. Our focus on attachment and bonding means that we’re both experienced in and equipped to handle the unique challenges encountered with teens in therapy.
We encourage you to support your teen in individual counseling if they express interest in coming in alone. Developing a safe, secure therapeutic relationship with the therapist helps teens cope with depression, anxiety, loneliness, and anger, to name a few.
Family isn’t just an important thing. It’s EVERYTHING.
When possible, the most effective course of therapy is to engage children with their parents in family therapy, regardless of the presenting problem. Developing or deepening feelings of trust and safety and enhancing emotional bonds with parents allows teens the emotional security and freedom they need to self correct. Acting out, destructive and defiant behaviors often calm down drastically when a teen feels trust and connection with the people closest to him or her.
What is EFFT?
Emotionally Focused Family Therapy (EFFT) is focused specifically on the bonding and attachment family members share with each other. This powerful treatment method engages parents, children, teens, preteens in strengths based, supportive conversation to help smooth the rough waters of tension and anxiety. Family Strong therapists specialize in helping your family reengage and reconnect with each other. The goal of EFFT is to deepen communication and encourage loving acceptance of one another. We provide a safe, compassionate environment for each member of the family to identify, explore, and ultimately express feelings and heal.
Why do families need EFFT?
Families face many unique challenges. Navigating developmental stages, blended family issues, adoption, divorce or separation, or school issues can be tricky to say the least.
Critical stages of development occur during child, preteen and teen years in which it’s natural for some tension and conflict to arise within families. For children, these stages are about understanding their world and learning to trust and rely on their most important relationships. For teens, these stages are all about asserting independence and getting to know themselves. These developmental years can cause growing pains in the family unit as everyone adjusts and readjusts to new roles. These growing pains often lead to disconnection, frustration and heartache. For parents, the stress of it all can take a toll.
Younger children also have a core need to feel safe in the relationships they share with parents and siblings. Children often communicate these needs through tantrums or crying, which can also increase tension and conflict. Families can get caught in cycles of frustration and fighting which lead to feelings of hurt and disconnection. Learning to hear and respond to each other’s cries for connection decreases bickering, tension, and stress and enhances the closeness in which families thrive. Families enjoy a natural state of peace, harmony, and tranquility when bonds are strong and fulfilling.
Teenage years are tough. Not only are teens experiencing an all-time high level of stress and pressure, but they’re also spending less time with their families than ever before. Healthy family bonds have always been a source of comfort for teens, and always will be. They need connection, closeness, and safety in these vital relationships more than ever. Our focus on helping families create a sense of safety, protection and compassion with each other.