Family Counseling Services in National City, CA.

Family life and family relationships have a profound impact on what we value and what we believe about ourselvles and others. How others in the family treat us and perceive us can significantly affect how we feel about ourselves and how we behave. AS a family therapist, I educate families on how to relate to one another in kind and respectful ways and how to interact with one another in such a way that promotes the emotional well being of each family member. When family life improves many individual problems tend to improve such as anger, depression, substance abuse, work problems, academic problems and child behavior problems.

Dr. Regina Knox offers a distinct approach to family counseling, recognizing that family dynamics are broader and more intricate than those in couples counseling. Her sessions focus on the interplay between family members of all ages, addressing individual roles, communication patterns, and generational influences. Dr. Knox believes that when one family member faces challenges, it reverberates throughout the entire unit. By facilitating open dialogue and fostering understanding among all members, she ensures that the family can collectively heal, adapt, and grow stronger. Clients benefit from a holistic approach that not only resolves immediate conflicts but also equips them with tools to nu

The family is the backbone of our society. With this in mind, a healthy functioning family is of great importance. There are many causes to problems and issues that a family faces. Once these problems are identified, then the family and therapist can go to work to resolve the issue and strengthen the family. A family systems approach is an effective way that I have helped families resolve their issues. In looking at the roles or "dance" that each person plays in the family that contributes to the problem, the problem issue can then be focused on and resolved by identifying what each person can do differently to experience the desired outcome of the family.

Let me guess. One partner feels alone and like they don't matter and the other feels they are always being criticized and can't get anything right. The more one asks for the other to show up, the more the partner disappears physically and emotionally. You both bicker and fight and the idea of sitting and just hanging out seems elusive, if not impossible. Something like this? Often we crave connection but are blocked by the pain and the history that gets in the way. Small fights about little things become battles that highlight our struggle to have our basic relational needs met. I can help you get under the bickering to the parts crying out for connection- to an enriching relationship.

Family therapy looks at the entire family system—parents, children, extended family members—to identify strengths and problematic behaviours. I collaborate with families on strategies for utilizing their own capabilities for resolving problems, and on developing effective communication and problem-solving skills for preventing conflicts. I specialize in working with families of teenagers, which is an age that can be challenging for both the teenagers and their parents.

Imagine a family as a tree with branches, roots, trunk representing parts of the immediate and extended family. When working with families, all elements are considered. Usually there is a request for family therapy due to one of it's members in crisis, often a child. However, when an analysis of need is done it becomes apparent that more than one member of the family needs help in adjusting, growing and learning new behaviours. Clients contact me for a variety of reasons: to improve communications, solve family problems, support in special situations such as death, divorce, marriage, illness, child or adolescent issues.

When I work with families, together we look for patterns and cycles that the family seems to be repeating but are creating problems for the family. When there is stress in the family, emotions tend to be very strong, so it can be difficult to think through each person's part in the family that may be keeping the system from changing. In family therapy we work at lowering the anxiety so that we can collaborate together for positive solutions.

Families engaging in therapy with me will find a compassionate and strong leader who understands the profound stress that family conflicts and perpetual problems can create. My approach is centered on guiding families through their tensions and difficulties, providing a structured and supportive environment where each member feels heard and valued. By focusing on your family's unique dynamics and challenges, I facilitate open communication and collaboration, leading to practical and lasting solutions. Clients will leave with a renewed sense of connection and the tools to foster a more harmonious family life, turning seemingly insurmountable problems into opportunities for growth.

I use a family systems approach in my therapy, so having family members in the room, in my opinion, is the most efficient route towards healing and growth in individuals. I encourage clients to address relationships that are causing distress in their lives and work towards healthy differentiation of self. This can be done in individual therapy as well, but is more effective when all members of the relationship are present.

Most family therapists inadvertently create more chaos through their well-intentioned efforts to assist a family move through a change process. Why? Brains are inherently deregulated (all of us, may I add) and most talking and dialoguing misses brain-centric problems that need more intensive help. Many times the emotional trauma created by years of solving problems ineffectively can wreak havoc on the brain's parasympathetic nervous system, not ever giving the family a break from flight or fight thinking. Contact us for an innovative neuroscience solution to family dysfunction. Kevin@kevinflemingphd.com or 877-606-6161.

Family therapy is a wonderful modality to assist families in improving communication, interaction, respect, support or addressing a concern that is impacting the family unit. Family therapy can increase understanding and assist family members in functioning at their optimal level and achieving their individual and family goals. Family therapy can help members and families attain healing needed to process difficult situations and trauma by improving communication, structure and boundaries.

Dr. Peck specializes in family therapy and parent management training for children and adolescents. Learn effective ways to parent and interact with your child or teenager to promote their psychological and physical health and encourage positive family relationships. Dr. Peck has extensive experience in both family therapy and adolescent and childhood developmental issues and therapy. With this unique blend of skills, Dr. Peck can provide education and training on effective ways to interact with your child and promote well-being based on their developmental level. Dr. Peck has specialty training in behavioral parent management training and has extensive experience leading parent workshops.

So the kids are failing school? Your teenager is hostile and defiant? Or is depression undermining your children's success? Whatever the issue, we can identify your family strengths and weaknesses, and make adjustments that will allow your child or teenager to recover and thrive. There is no reason at all to accept failure. My approach firmly establishes parents as "Queen and King of The Castle", lovingly and resolutely leading the Kingdom. Your kids will LOVE YOU for it. And yes, you deserve that love!

Families can be the source of tremendous joy and also the source of tremendous pain. When things are feeling out of control at home or in your extended family, members often become depressed and angry. Emotionally Focused Family Therapy can help transform negative interaction patterns and restore connections. Your family can be a safe place, a place where each member is valued, loved and appreciated for their unique qualities. If you are a family with a Special Needs child, you have specific challenges that can be helped by an experienced therapist. You do not need to navigate this difficult road alone!

Said one grieving mother, "Being estranged from your children and grandchildren is harder than surviving suicide. It's like experiencing a funeral, but they are not dead." Said another, "Many of my friends are excitedly anticipating visits from their relatives. They are shopping for them, planning meals and activities. I am truly happy for them. I want the same for myself, but I can't have it..." I work with parents and their adult children who have become estranged. My goal is to bring about reconciliation. If you have a need in this area, please feel free to call me to discuss your situation.

I specialize in online parent coaching with the goal of helping you and your family have a closer more intimate relationship. After 11 years of working with children and families, I have concluded that this is the most effective way I can support families because you parents are the leaders of your home. If I can empower you through my knowledge and experience to implement some strategies at home, you can achieve your goals for your family. The support I provide will be sufficient for many families, but there are some situations that could benefit from the in-vivo coaching and direction that in person family therapy provides. Call me for a free 15 minute consultation about your needs

I practice EFFT - Emotionally Focused Family Therapy whose goal is to help families in their relationships to become stronger and safer. We all have conflict from time to time with those we love. What matters most is to be able to have healthy repair with each other to heal and forgive and move forward in healthy, loving, lasting relationships with those who mean the most.

When working with children and youth, the therapist cannot ignore the family system in which the child lives. I work with parents in multiple ways to help support youth in treatment, which may include separate parent sessions, co-parenting sessions, systemic family therapy, or Filial Therapy, a play therapy practice that coaches and guides parents in special play sessions with their child to decrease unwanted behaviors, improve relationships and communication, increase the child's emotional vocabulary, and increase the child's self-esteem.

I believe that as we grow up we are shaped by our relationships; this starts from the time we are little and continues for the rest of our lives. Through these relationships we are also shaped by society. In being shaped we create various meaning from our experiences as well as receiving and giving instructions on how to live. When we form new relationships of any kind, this gets challenged; coming together and finding a path forward that celebrates all involved is the key to success.