Family Counselling Services in Chemainus, BC.

My approach to family therapy is unique. I work with family members affected by their loved one's mental health and/or addictions challenges. Years of experience creating and running family groups of "affected others" contribute to my knowledge base on how to effectively guide families toward living their lives to their fullest, while not giving up hope. Helping families move away from caregiving toward supporting is my specialty!

Family counseling focuses on improving dynamics and fostering harmony within the entire family unit. My approach emphasizes understanding each family member’s unique perspective while addressing patterns that may cause conflict or disconnect. Together, we work to enhance communication, resolve misunderstandings, and strengthen relationships by building mutual respect and collaboration. Clients benefit from a deeper understanding of one another, improved problem-solving skills, and a more supportive, connected family environment where everyone can thrive.

My approach is centered on fostering open communication, understanding, and cohesion among family members. Recognizing the unique dynamics within familial relationships, I tailor interventions to address the complexities of diverse family structures. By emphasizing effective communication strategies, conflict resolution, and the cultivation of a supportive family environment, my goal is to strengthen the bonds that connect each family member. Through a collaborative process, clients benefit from developing practical tools to navigate challenges, build resilience, and foster a harmonious family life.

Despite the best intentions of ourselves and our family members, we are often tangled in patterns of invalidation, rejection, frustration and blame. It can feel so messy that we operate in a constant state of fear and a crippling sense of unworthiness. In 2008 I started my counselling career as a family therapist. A combination of individual and joint sessions will take place to allow the space for all voices to be respectfully heard, while helping to identify bigger ‘systems’ patterns that keep you stuck in pain and finger-pointing. I will help to smooth out communication, make room for wants and needs and to heal the old wounds holding you back from having a healthier relationship.

Family dynamics can be a complicated and sensitive balance within a home. This can be made increasingly complicated by divorce, blended families, individual parenting, spiritual values, health issues and much more. Counseling can provide family members a neutral voice and a place to be heard when fighting and arguing is impacting daily functioning and happiness, of one or more family members. We also help develop necessary tools to resolve conflict in a healthy way, bringing peace and harmony back to everyday lives.

Today family can mean different things to different people. Each family structure is challenged with their own set of difficulties and problems. Whether you are a blended family, single parent family due to divorce or loss, adoptive family, same sex parents, or traditional, we recognize family dynamics can be complicated. Together we will work to develop strong communication skills between each family member, while nurturing and solidifying the family unit. We will work to overcome conflict, heal the wounds of the past, build parenting skills and create a safe environment where all family members can be heard.

The narcissism-co-dependency (or self-love deficit as described by Ross Rosenberg) pattern begins for many of us in the family unit. Relationships we form early in life shape our templates for relationships later in life. Learning to understand our own patterns of problem behaviours helps us develop self-awareness and opens the door to change. Is there a pattern of power imbalances, control issues, manipulation or even abuse in your family? Learn to see where things are going wrong and develop new coping techniques that help you navigate troubling relationships and build healthy new relationships.

Each family is as unique, as are all relationships. Today, families are not only made up of the traditional two parent same sex couple; but are blended, same sex, single parented, having children raised by grandparents and extended family and friends-more than ever in our history. There are times when all types of families experience difficulties that we can not resolve on our own. As your counsellor, I can provide you with a neutral perspective and provide suggestions and strategies to cope. I can provide a safe environment and provide mediation. All parties will be given an opportunity to express themselves openly, with the benefit of finding a resolution, clarity and peace.

Family counselling can be useful when miscommunication, disagreements, and family conflict is occurring. It is also useful as a preventative strategy in times of transition. Families come in all shapes and sizes; families change and expand as we age. If you are looking for family counselling in Nanaimo or a virtual approach, Island Clinical Counselling can help. Our family systems approach allow for families of all shapes and sizes to get the support they need in a timely manner. In our work with you we will help encourage families to practice empathy, give listening cues to one another, paraphrase or clarify meaning, avoid interruptions, and be mindful of each others body language.

Families operate within a system with the confines of individual expectations. When expectations are challenged or not met, family member resort to what makes the individual feel safe and comfortable whether it is placating, withdrawing, over accommodating, or demanding. Families operate as a system and each action creates either a positive or negative reactions. Each family member operates as part of the greater system and learning how to communicate effectively, listen actively, and clarify what is heard, will help overcome the misinterpretations that cause hurt feelings, withdrawing and anger.

A family is an intricate and complex system of unique individuals. I offer family counselling and relationship counselling within families. My approach considers family development across the lifespan. This approach takes into consideration the needs and challenges that are natural to families and the individuals within families at different stages of life. I am trained in Family Systems; Virginia Satir; Adlerian approaches to family counselling. I also counsel family members who have an adult loved one with a mental illness or substance use problem.

I can offer a safe atmosphere to talk freely about family concerns and how each family member is being impacted. Whether people are dealing with blended family challenges, a family crisis, life changes or simply wanting to strengthen communication and family bonds, I have proven strategies to help. By focusing on changing patterns in the relationship and by seeking to understand each other and ourselves better, families can be empowered to function successfully and come together in times of difficulty.