Family therapy services in 94603: Oakland, CA. Relationship and couples counseling.

An intervention is a very supportive and loving way to get help for a family member who is struggling with addiction, an eating disorder, or other untreated mental illness. By taking part in the intervention process, your family group will better understand addiction or mental illness, gain knowledge of chemical dependency or mental health resources, and clarify your feelings and boundaries. I will work toward helping you break through the addict’s or mentally ill person’s denial and increasing his or her treatment willingness so that he or she can then immediately enter the appropriate level of treatment. Call me with any questions or to schedule an initial appointment.

Family is the foundation for a happy and healthy society. Family is important! That is why each time I work with a family (and that doesn't have to be every family member), I think of myself as contributing to society in a most profound way one family at a time. Family work is challenging, too. When I work with a family, I like to have as many family members possible in session, so I can see the interactions and family dynamics. Making little changes can bring about big results.

I enjoy helping families find creative solutions to nagging conflicts or concerns. It is exciting to see families discover a "We" and the helpful, often surprising things they learn, even from their youngest members as I help them listen to each other more carefully. I also help families create the safety to share things they have found difficult, including their desire to help that is sometimes hidden behind behavior that doesn't feel very loving. I work with families of many shapes and sizes, and I am willing to begin with as many or as few family members as are willing to come for help to create a more healthy and rewarding life together.

I use a family systems approach in my therapy, so having family members in the room, in my opinion, is the most efficient route towards healing and growth in individuals. I encourage clients to address relationships that are causing distress in their lives and work towards healthy differentiation of self. This can be done in individual therapy as well, but is more effective when all members of the relationship are present.