Family Counselling Services in York, ON.

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

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

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.

Family therapy is aimed at addressing and improving the dynamics within a family unit. By involving all members in the therapeutic process, family therapy aims to uncover and resolve issues that affect the family's overall functioning and relationships. My goal is to work collaboratively with the family to discover the family dynamics and systems that exist and to facilitate improved communication and connection between its members. Ideally, family therapy aims to help members support each other’s emotional needs in the here and now, ultimately promoting a healthier and more cohesive family environment. Book a free 15-minute consultation with me to see if I’m the right fit for you.

Communication.empathy and forgiveness work are a primary focus in family therapy with me. We work with many modalities including Traditional talk therapy: Giving space for the family to explore and express feelings, own awareness’s, transform thoughts, grieve, vent, and neutralize guilt, anger and fear. New understandings and thus new neural pathways and patterns begin to form. This is a profoundly transformational set of tools that can bring families to stronger places of connection and union.

Everything relates to everything else, and families in all shapes and forms are no exception. Different ages, developmental levels in children, genders and or cultures need to be considered, when we try to establish a loving, respectful. proactive and supportive family team. I do believe, that the HOW, WHAT, WHEN and WHY of communication is what makes or breaks a family .... any relationship. Allow me to help you establish reasonable goals and find manageable solutions to challenges, which will improve your family's wellbeing. 905-842-3626

Families can be tough. No doubt about it. I'd be more worried if a family got along 100% of the time. Conflict is an opportunity to bring us closer together. And with the right tools of communication and conflict resolution, based upon the theories of Emotion-focused therapy, we can get there together.

Clients come to see me in my practice in downtown Toronto in order to help them focus on problems and conflicts between family members. In some cases, this includes parent-child conflicts. And in others, this may include conflicts between the adults in home, who may have differing approaches to parenting. Finally, excessive conflicts between siblings may also be a reason for family therapy.

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.

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. I offer family therapy sessions and encourage you to schedule a free 15-minute consultation to ensure I am the proper fit for your families needs.

Our families can benefit from family therapy when they experience any stressful event that puts pressure on family relationships, such as financial hardship, family fractures or break ups, or the death of a loved one. Some issues we would focus on in family sessions are improving communication and solving conflicts, exploring ways we can support a family member who is experiencing difficulties, and how to grow stronger moving forward. It can seem like a monumental task. However with hope, optimism and commitment families can get better.

Family can often be the single most powerful element in our mental health journey. Like any relationship though, families often struggle with communication, forgiveness and conflict resolution. At Whiteboard we employ evidence-based techniques to help families heal and become whole again. These techniques not only involve patience and skill, they also require the lived experience that many of our counsellors have at our clinic.

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.

When working with families I aim to focus on common ground and shared hopes and goals. This sets the stage for collaboratively working through conflicts so that common goals can be achieved. Focusing on positive family experiences and strengths of the family are also helpful in reconnecting family members. Understanding relationship patterns and encouraging new ways of communicating and interacting often allows families to practice different ways of being with and understanding one another and can often alleviate tension for more pleasurable family experiences.

As a Registered Marriage and Family Therapist, Shyamala specializes in working with families. She practices from a family systems perspective in order to bring about long term, sustainable change for all members of the family. She has an approach that is sensitive and down-to-earth, allowing her to join with family members across generations and cultures.

Family counselling is a form of treatment that is designed to address specific issues affecting the health and functioning of a family. It can be used to help a family through a difficult period, a major transition, or mental or behavioural health problems in family members. I will help your family find strategies that help you communicate and function better together.

In family therapy, I create a safe space for families to explore their dynamics—prioritizing needs, fostering self-compassion, and navigating cultural diversity and family roles. I’m passionate about addressing the heart of your family’s issues and supporting your journey with respect and understanding. Using a blend of therapeutic approaches, including Trauma-Informed Care and Emotionally Focused Therapy, I tailor our sessions to meet the unique needs of each family member. I also incorporate attachment theory to help families understand how early relationships shape current dynamics. Together, we can rebuild trust and strengthen connections for healthier relationships.

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.

Too often, communication stands in the way of good relationships. With families, this is compounded by a number of other issues. Through family therapy, we unpack the preconceived ideas and family roles that we often feel compelled to fall into, we work together to examine relationships. Using a combination of Solution Focused Therapy, client-led exchanges, and role-playing, together we develop new and healthy ways to communicate.

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.

'Family' is supposed to be a safe haven, a place that always feels like home. But when there is unresolved conflict and unsatisfying relationships 'family' can feel like anything but! I love to help families (including multi-generational families) be able to communicate and function in healthier ways so that the hurt can stop and love and understanding can be expressed and felt. If you've been thinking about family counselling for a while, don't wait any longer. You'd be surprised at the difference that can be made in a relatively short period of time and how family relationships can heal and grow into safer, more loving places to call 'home'!

Family counseling is a unique form of counseling that focuses on improving the relationships and communication within a family unit. I believe that this approach can be particularly effective in helping clients to resolve conflicts, build stronger relationships, and develop more effective coping mechanisms. One of the key benefits of family counseling is that it can provide clients with a safe and supportive environment to communicate and address their concerns. Family members can learn to express themselves more effectively, listen to one another with empathy, and work collaboratively towards a common goal.

Families come in all shapes and sizes and it is not uncommon for families to go through times of turmoil, uncertainty, or disconnection, as family relationships can be complex. In my practice I work in the following areas to help families:the analytical tools to trace the roots of your anxieties, and the confidence to take decisive action to overcome them. -Parent-child/teen relationships -Co-parenting after separation -couples therapy -Parent coaching -Divorce counselling -communication with children after divorce/separation