Family Counselling Services in Welland, ON.

Every parent knows that different children respond in different ways. The same child can respond differently at times. So parents need multiple approaches. Children are developing their sense of self, exploring, learning to master skills. They move back and forth between experimentation and the security of the trusted parent. Parents are the sounding boards for their children's ideas and feelings until the children develop their own judgement. Sometimes children are pushing against parental restrictions. Adults try to balance between encouraging growth and limiting risk, maintaining expectations for safety and good behavior and encouraging children’s independence. Answers are not easy.

Family therapy is a unique opportunity for loved ones to come together, listen to one another, and navigate challenges. Are you a parent wanting to support your young child or teenager through a challenging transition? Are you an adult child wanting to reconnect with your parent or a parent wanting to reconnect with your adult child? Or are you a family processing a new event, like blending your family, a divorce, or a change in lifestyle? As a family therapist, I am here to ensure that everyone’s voice and opinions are heard, so that you can navigate your goals in your most authentic and preferred way. Connect with me today for a free consultation to see 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

Sometimes the difficulties occurring in a family are systemic - which means that there is not really a 'problem person' but a family interaction malfunction. In family counselling, it is understood that everyone in the family impacts and affects everyone else and the whole is greater than the sum of the parts. It is also understood that the way to 'fix' a family problem is not by simply changing specific behaviours, but by changing the structure of the family. This can be a very important process for the many different types of families that we have in our society.

Every member of a family has a story to tell. Often times those stories can come with conflict or strain. Sometimes families experience great loss or trauma and need to work to come back together to a place of love and safety. I work with families to learn better communication, how to bring out the fun, and how to connect in ways they have forgotten.

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 relationships are complex and are oftentimes impacted by various events, life transitions, and societal shifts. I believe that every family is unique and that your efforts to navigate challenges are valid and purposeful. As a family therapist, my aim is to help you strengthen your relationships with one another and to support you in finding a balance between your individual and family needs. I also help you to identify possible areas of stuckness and conflict as well as strengths and resources, so that together, we can create hoped-for solutions. Contact me or book a free consultation if you wish to learn more.

My background in relational therapy allows me to understand individuals through the relationships they cohabit. Families come in various forms and sizes, and at times, navigating through these relational dynamics and understanding differing perspectives may be difficult. Throughout our time together, we will work to make each member’s voice heard, find ways of communication that feel helpful, and establish and restore connection. Please reach out for a free consultation to see if we are a good fit.

As a Registered Marriage and Family Therapist, I understand that families can be our closest and most important relationships, however at times these relationships can be a source of great confusion and pain. We can work together to identify unhealthy relationship patterns, develop appropriate personal boundaries , decrease stress and to create ease in your interactions with those in your closest circle.