Family Counselling Services in Greater Napanee, ON.

I have over a decade of experience providing support to families who struggle with a myriad of different issues. This could include: - parent/child conflict - divorce/separation - behavioral concerns - adoption - blended families I use systems theory to help families resolve their problems in the context of the family unit. Each member of the family works together to understand how their own contributions and actions affect each other.

It can be hard to know where to start when trying to address conflict within the family because each member is unique and may have very different concerns and goals. Therapy can provide a safe and supportive environment to foster family healing while also honouring individual differences. My approach to family therapy is rooted in the healing power of relationships and focuses on collaboration to create shared meaning. Reach out today to learn more about my approach and your journey to healing and book a free 15-minute consultation.

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.

Family therapy may help family members (children and adults) build an understanding for each other and talk through concerns in a safe space. This style of therapy may be helpful when children and/or adults experience big emotions, a family member is newly diagnosed with physical/mental illness, explore symptoms/strategies related to ADHD, life/vocational transitions, divorce/co-parenting, or when conversations are related to one's gender identity and sexual orientation.

Every family has a sub-culture of its own with unique with ways of think and doing that are distinctive, dynamic, and fluid. Ever changing with multiple stressors both from within and without, families must have the capacity to adapt and adjust to different ways of being and doing as children grow and as life circumstances change, Sometimes, families can get stuck in these stages of change. I work with families facing challenges in communication, in life transitions, and other factors to move them towards healthier communication and support for its members.

Having objective guidance from an experienced social worker can be very helpful to get through problems in families. Gaining awareness of our own personal and family dynamics is crucial in order to make healthy changes. All families can eventually be faced with extremely stressful circumstances including parenting issues, dealing with special needs and serious illness, separation and divorce with custody-access issues and death and loss. As a mental health professional, I have helped many clients face this issues over the years and I have specialized training to help you deal with these issues.

When we have a "home base" that is safe, comfortable, where we feel loved, and secure within, we have a solid foundation from which we can be our best self. If our home base is characterized by chaos, conflict, anger, resentment, and lack of support we struggle. Life is hard enough, let alone not having a place to "rest" and recuperate. It's especially more difficult when culture seems to be ripping away at the ties that traditionally bind families together. Problems don't reside within individuals, they occur within the context of the different "systems" with which we interact. These systems create stresses. Families are the resources that support members through their challenges.

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 can be difficult environments at times. We will explore family issues that are impacting the group. The family is the "client" yet each member is valued in the therapy. We can work in identifying familial roles and patterns that are negatively impacting the family unit. Through psychoeducation, validation and improved communication and listening skills we can move the family unit into a healthier spot.

When one family member is depressed, stressed, angry, or otherwise not at their best, it deeply affects the rest of the family. Sometimes individual therapy is the correct path, but often, addressing relationship dynamics within the family system is the quickest, most direct way of dealing with the issue. I work with all ages and all combinations of family members.

Familial units can oftentimes become caught in cycles of miscommunication and misinterpretation that builds up and solidifies through the years. My approach to working with families is identifying such cycles and unearthing and understanding each member’s intentions. I believe that more often than not, family members have good intentions, and when this is brought to light, defenses can soften, and the healing process can ensue. Schedule a free 15-minute consultation to ensure we are a good fit.