Family Counseling Services in St Helens, OR.

Family therapy looks at the entire family system—parents, children, extended family members—to identify strengths and problematic behaviours. I collaborate with families on strategies for utilizing their own capabilities for resolving problems, and on developing effective communication and problem-solving skills for preventing conflicts. I specialize in working with families of teenagers, which is an age that can be challenging for both the teenagers and their parents.

It's called Family Therapy—but we know that family can include any human you feel connected to. As Family Therapists we are trained to navigate the various relationships represented in the room and to assist each person in finding their voice. Family Therapy is a unique experience, and requires skilled professionals Issues that can be addressed from a Family Therapy perspective include: Grief/Loss Illness Remarriage Blended families Life transitions Resolving past hurts Accepting a family member’s sexuality Supporting a family member struggling with sexual identity Our skilled therapists can support you in coming together to find the best ways for your family to relate to each other.

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.

Clients who are having difficulties within their family are often surprised when they begin to understand that every member of the family (yes, even dogs and cats!) have developed fairly predictable roles within a bigger family system. It is like they are actors in a play that has been rehearsed over and over. Once they understand these patterns and roles, we move forward by searching for the patterns that are positive and the ones that that are causing pain in the family system. "Would you be willing to change those entrenched roles, if it means that your family can regain some of it's balance, playfulness, and love?" I ask them. If the answer is yes, I find that families soon benefit.

Growing up we may have at times thought we are in some sort of really bad sit com or even a horror movie. Our families at their best can function more like an athletes' fine tuned body, ready to move, compete and win. Appreciating each parts input to the whole is important. Learning how to supportively communicate, work and heal together we get a glimpse of the lasting victory that can be ours.