Family Counselling Services in Cranbrook, BC.

Today's family faces challenges that did not exist even a decade ago. Of course, the same thing can be said for children and adolescents. My experience counselling children and adolescents has demonstrated the importance of supporting families in navigating the problems that their children face. I take a wide-angle approach to understanding families in the context of the larger web of systems in which they participate, such as culture, extended family relationships, social and economic factors, issues related to social justice, and their larger community. I seek to promote positive development in children and adolescents while supporting adult caregivers in their own growth and development

Like all relationships our relationships with our family members may require outside help to evolve alongside our own personal development. Our Adlerian understanding of families allow us to appreciate the experiences within a family system, like birth order and dynamics amongst various family members to better understand the work involved in improving the quality of those relationships. We strive to help clients feel warmly accepted and welcomed within their own families.

Family counselling serves as a valuable resource for families facing various challenges by providing a structured and safe environment for communication and healing. During family therapy sessions, trained therapists facilitate open dialogue, address conflicts, and promote understanding among family members. Through guided discussions and exercises, families can explore dynamics, improve communication patterns, and develop effective problem-solving strategies. Family counselling helps strengthen relationships, rebuild trust, and foster a more supportive and cohesive family unit. By working together in therapy, families can navigate difficulties, enhance connections, create healthier families

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.

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.

Working within a wholistic Family Systems approach helps clients to understand the relationship interaction effects on the individual family members. Also, helping each member of the family to feel a valuable part of the solution to problems is a key part of the success in family therapy. Family's often need to learn to forgive and let go of old hurts in order to make their family more functional. After all, a healthy family is a great assest to individual success.

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.

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.