Family Counseling takes place between a counselor and a family unit or system.  A family unit can be defined as a small group of individuals both biological and non-biological, who play long-term supportive roles in each others’ lives.  Counseling as a family pursues understanding and collaboration among family members by seeking to reduce distress and conflict, improve the interactions among members, identify dysfunctional family patterns, promote positive communication, and solve problems of one or more individuals.

Family counseling looks at the framework of the family unit and the roles each family member plays within the system.  It views the problems or dysfunctional patterns within the system as a collective issue with each member contributing to the problem in some way, rather than a problem residing with one specific member.  As the family uncovers the sources of the problem, they work together to find resolutions while supporting each other in positive ways.  All members of the family or system do not need to be present. Sessions may involve the entire family, parents and certain children, siblings, or individuals.

When working with families we utilize techniques and interventions based upon Family Systems Therapy which helps families work together to find problems, find resolutions that each family member can contribute to, and engage all family members to support healing.

Counseling as a family can be effective not only when there is a stressful event that is straining family relationships (like financial hardship, divorce, or death of a loved one) but it can also be effective in treating mental health concerns that impact the family as a whole, such as behavioral issues in children or adolescents, communication problems, major life transitions, substance abuse, depression, anxiety, or hurt caused by other family members. Family counseling will help each individual member reach their fullest potential through strengthening and encouraging positive relationships and moving all members toward respect.