Family Counselling Services in Chester, NS.

When more people are involved in the therapy it often is more successful. That's family therapy in a nut shell. I often see people alone but when I can see a couple, or multiple members of the same family - change happens much more rapidly and more gets done in less time. Whether you are the identified patient - the one with "the problem(s)"- or you are a family member brought in to consult on "the problem(s)"- your participation is very helpful. That doesn't mean that we always get everyone together in the same room at the same time (although that is likely to happen at some point). Often there are individual sessions and couples or parent-child group sessions that support the process.

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.

Some of the most difficult relationships to navigate are found under your own roof. Whether you need help with parenting strategies, improving communication, creating and maintaining healthy relationship boundaries, or you're not even sure what the problem is, I can help bring peace and happiness back into your home. I use a combination of structural family therapy and Gottman method techniques to improve communication and strengthen the fabric of the family system.