Family Counseling Services in Westgate, FL.

Society often emphasizes individualism, but many of our behaviors, thoughts, and actions are influenced by the intricate dynamics of our lives, families, and relationships. Family therapy offers a holistic approach to understanding problems and solutions by examining how all components interact to create symptoms. Through targeted techniques and interventions, family therapy aims to reshape relational dynamics and thought patterns, leading to desired outcomes in mental and behavioral health. It's important to note that family therapy does not always require the participation of the entire family; it can be tailored to involve specific individuals or subsets as needed.

Family dynamics can be complex, with each member bringing unique perspectives, emotions, and needs to the table. My approach to family counseling focuses on creating a safe and inclusive space where everyone feels heard and valued. I work collaboratively with families to identify patterns of communication, address underlying conflicts, and foster mutual understanding. By blending modern techniques with proven approaches, I help families rebuild trust, strengthen connections, and develop healthier, more supportive relationships that benefit everyone involved.

Family systems have a huge impact on our life. There has always been the argument between nature and nurture as to the cause of any emotional issues we face. The reality is there is some of both involved. It is usually the client who comes in for the counseling but a lot of the solution is found in the family system. Many influences and issues are passed through generations of a family. Therefore there are times when it is profitable to work with the entire family in counseling. Although we are not committed to solely a family systems approach to counseling we do recognize the need to address family issues that are often personified in the member with the perceived problem.

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.

As Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists, we provide a safe and supportive therapeutic environment for helping our clients to take steps toward their goals. Family therapy can be done with one or more people in the session. We can work with you individually to explore and gain insight into your family relationships, and we can also invite family members to join and be part of the process.

Family therapy is most beneficial when the problems you are facing are relational. Do you constantly argue with your teenage son? Do you feel like your in-laws do not respect your boundaries? Are family alliances splitting your family? Are you burdened by caring for an elderly parent? Does every discussion end with a fight? In family therapy we can clarify the rules and the roles in the family, help you put and maintain healthy boundaries, redivide tasks and improve communication among family members. At the end of therapy, family members will walk away feeling heard and supported, knowing that the family is their safe haven, a place where they can be themselves and feel accepted and loved.

My approach to family therapy is to allow space for family members to voice their thoughts and opinions to each other in a safe space. Prior to coming together, I work with family members individually to help them to learn how to express themselves effectively and utilize validation as a uniting force within the family. Even in families where it seems impossible to find something to validate, it is important to come back to an understanding and validation of the family member's emotional experience. I teach each of my clients how to use "I" statements to express themselves and take ownership of their own emotional responses. It is during these times that people truly feel seen and heard.

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.

Families are the most important elements of society. We believe that healthy families form great communities. It all starts with the couple. We do intense couples and family therapy. Our relational skill building approach has helped many couples and families to reduce violence, conflict, miscommunication and anger at home. We are the only ones who give you a two-for-one treatment. We provide couples and family treatment along with anger management treatment at not extra cost.

Families are complicated. Sometimes those we love are the hardest to be around, often because of old hurts, personality differences, and poor communication. If you’re struggling with issues around family, I can help coach you through the challenges, teach you new strategies, and help you gain new insights. Whether you’re needing the accountability to set boundaries with difficult family members, or looking for new skills to heal relationships that are strained, I’m here to help. At Lion Counseling, our mission is to help you escape the cages that hold you back and become the lion God created you to be.

Everyone has a role in a family - whether it was a chosen role or assigned to you by your parents. Discovering your role, and whether you want to continue in the role is truly up to you. I can help with setting boundaries, and with those "walking on eggshells" relationships. Family relationships can be entrenched and hard to navigate. I can help untangle, understand and heal these relationships.

In family therapy, my goal is to help your family create stronger, healthier relationships by addressing conflicts and improving communication. I work closely with each family member to understand their perspectives and the dynamics at play. Together, we identify patterns that may be causing tension or misunderstanding. Using a supportive and collaborative approach, I guide your family in developing strategies to navigate challenges, enhance connection, and create a more harmonious home environment. My focus is on fostering growth and unity for a more cohesive family unit.

While it can be interesting to explore all the roots of family problems, it can also be painful. More important, it almost never helps families to function better. Instead of dredging up the past (which wastes lots of time and money and cannot be changed), I help families to build solutions that are effective and permanent -- even if they don't fully understand how the problems developed.