Family Counselling Services in Peterborough, ON.

We all feel the impact of a ever changing life. Nothing seems constant. Our values and perceptions often feel challenged. Compound this into a couple multiply it by children and blend it into a family. Are there any surprises that we struggle and face conflict in our own interpersonal and parenting relationships? I want you to know that I am here to offer support through divorce, separation, blending families, co-parenting, and your children’s behaviour issues. I am hoping that you will reach out and contact me. I offer an initial free consultation in which we can discuss how psychotherapy can benefit you and your family.

Families can be created in a multiplicity of ways: we can be born into them; brought into them through adoption or other means; and sometimes their members consist of people who have a deep affinity for each other. In any form they take, "family" is synonymous with "in relationship," and these relationships must be nourished. In family counselling, I support families in building new communication pathways in order to process past injuries and strengthen connection. I specialize in pre-natal and postpartum family counselling.

It is not uncommon in families for patterns to be set and sometimes these patterns are not healthy or helpful for family relationships, or individual mental health. We often learn to tolerate our family members’ behaviour and have difficulty speaking up or expressing how their behaviour impacts us. In my sessions with families, I encourage open, honest communication and ensure that each individual feels validated and gets equal time to be heard. Often difficult conversations can be more successful when there is a neutral person facilitating and promoting respectful, non-confrontational interaction. If you think your family would benefit from my support and guidance, please book a free consu

Our relationships with our family are some of the most complex relationships of our lives. Being able to communicate our needs and feelings with our loved ones is crucial to our well-being and is an essential part of a successful parent/child relationship. Over time, families co-create a language and ways of interacting and being. However, as we enter times of stress and change, and our children grow, we start to develop independent languages that cause us to feel unheard, and invalidated. Sessions will allow you to be intentional about sharing with each other and provide a safe place to open up, repair hurts, and relearn each other's language.

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

Family dynamics are complicated. Each family has established patterns, such as how everyone communicates within the family system, how they deal with stressful situations and conflict, their roles in the family unit and how members seek support from one another. While I do not offer family therapy sessions, my clinic, Psychotherapy Collective has many child and family therapists availability to schedule a free 15-minute consultation to ensure they are the proper fit for your journey. Visit our family therapy page to find a therapist https://www.psychotherapycollective.ca/services/child-and-family-therapy

Family counselling takes many forms. I may see the whole family, or I may see parents alone as a part of therapy as well as seeing their child alone, but ultimately working towards healthier families. Every family is different and is offered what they need to help them work on their particular issues, build stronger communication, and connect more deeply.

In family therapy, the focus is on the interactions of those that are affected by the presenting concern and strengthening relationships of the family system. Although some concerns may appear to apply to one individual, involvement of family can have positive benefits on both the individual and overall family functioning. While family therapy may often focus on child-parent relationships, other loved ones such as grandparents, caregivers, siblings etc. are invited to attend where you see fit. As the therapist, I strive to help facilitate a space in which each family member has equal opportunity to share their experiences and perspectives. Contact me today to book a free consultation.