Family Counselling Services in Bowmanville, ON.

My family therapy approach involves seeing the whole family initially to understand each person's unique perspective, provide safety for each person to express themselves and to give each person the opportunity to determine their comfort level with me as therapist. I will then work with parts of the family (eg, siblings, parents, dyads such as Mother/Child, Father/Child, Sib/Sib) to support recognition of the unique cycle each group/dyad experiences as problematic in having the closeness and safety they desire within the family. I use Emotion Focused Family Therapy which is based on attachment research and which acknowledges our need to be known and loved by family members.

I view the family as a system. Each individual in the family has a part in how well the system functions. Sometimes the components of the system are imbalanced so that some are over-functioning, and some may be underfunctioning. I work with families to tweak and adjust the system to help it to run more smoothly such as the parents relationship, parent-child and sibling relationships, roles within the family, parenting and communication styles, individual/couple/family needs. Sometimes factors such as addictions and mental health also need to be addressed. Families learn healthy new ways to function and are happier post therapy.

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 dynamics can be challenging to navigate even during the best of times, and family therapy can help each member of the family unit find new ways to relate, connect, and communicate with each other. Giving each family member the chance to feel heard and valued while also navigating external stressors like work and school can be a struggle, so I work collaboratively with clients to identify and explore patterns of interaction that they want to strengthen or change, while highlighting each member’s contributions, and celebrating the family’s successes. Book a free consultation to learn more about my approach and explore if we are a good fit.

Research shows when one family member is struggling, all the members of the family are affected in some way. Giving each person in the family a safe place to voice their concerns can help families improve communication and resolve conflict. Family therapy addresses the behaviors of individuals as well as the dynamic between family members. • It can provide vital communication skills. • Help family members develop healthy boundaries. • Promote problem-solving • Build empathy and understanding

Individual therapy often involves considering your family of origin. Family therapy may involve just the two of you or a more extensive collection of relations. Since I exclusively see people online, the practical limit seems to be two people. Larger groups require in-person office visits. Don't worry. You'll find highly competent and informed counsellors for your family on Theravive. In these circumstances, please approach therapy with patience and kindness. It takes time for everyone to engage in family therapy. By avoiding the search for scapegoats or blaming others, you create a safe and supportive environment for everyone involved.

A family of four walks into a bar... (okay, therapist's office, fine) each with a different reason why they're there. Also, some of them don't want to be there at all! Get it! Actually, there's no punch-line, it's just normally how it goes. Regardless of what event brings them through the door, families often come in feeling divided and disconnected. That's why my job is to find the common ground so that everyone feels like they're being respected, heard, and have something to gain from the experience. My hope is that you will leave here: 1) Feeling more unified around a common goal 2) Clarity for how to move forward together 3) A renewed sense of what matters most

My interest in Family Therapy grew out of my work with patients in acute care hospitals. As I interacted with the patients and their families, I realized that if one family member is in pain, all the family members are somehow affected. This insight caused me to shift my focus away from the more traditional psychodynamic theories I was earlier taught in University and to focus instead on how family therapy and family systems brought healing. This growing body of literature, which started in the 1960s, has revolutionized my thinking, enabling me to find a more generous, holistic, and integrated approach to patient care and family healing. Schedule a free 15-minute consultation today

Families are diverse and can be difficult to navigate alone. Family counselling may include adjustment to family structure changes, navigation of developmental transitions or a new diagnosis, management of conflict among family members, and general mental health support for family members within the household. This would be accomplished by providing you and your family members a space to constructively discuss issues with the assistance of learned communication tools.

In working with families, we aim to explore the power dynamics that exist between individual members and the ways in which these dynamics can work to maintain a particular pattern that is not of interest to everyone in the family. We look at the ways these patterns can prevent "success", or the achievement of what it is the family truly wants and values. In this way, we adopt a method of systemic or relational thinking; we hope to understand patterns rather than making any one person in the family the "problem". As such, we understand problems as a system of unsatisfying responses. Note: When working with families, there are times when it is useful to meet with members individually.

Families are very complex systems, we all know that. We love each other but that love may not be all you need to understand the needs and behaviors we have in order to make the most of the relationship. Having a neutral, caring and educated professional to support you and guide you might be necessary in some cases when you depleted your resources and you feel like you are going around in circles. If this resonates with your situation do not hesitate to contact me, you can be sure to find a safe and not judgmental space to work through the family challenges.

Families undergo constant change as each member strives to learn, grow and develop individually and in relation to others. Stress and challenges are a normal part of family development and, at times, these can become "too much" to handle alone. When arguments, disagreements, confusion and conflict arise it can be quite helpful to draw upon an experienced family systems specialist. Assessing and prioritizing concerns and developing a game plan for improving communication, relationships and overall functioning is available. Teamwork require good coaches (parents/caregivers) and good coaches benefit from training. Problem-solving, mediation and stress management coaching improves family.