Family therapy services in Downtown, Minneapolis. Relationship and couples counseling.

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 dysregulated (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 dystunction. Kevin@kevinflemingphd.com or 877-606-6161

As children we learn how relationships work from our families. Families have subtle and not-so-subtle rules about how to treat each other that get passed down from generation to generation. When these patterns result in hurt and misunderstanding, family therapy is an opportunity for change. If you're uncomfortable with how you feel in your family, or how you act with family members or loved ones, reflecting on the patterns you've learned and connecting with your emotions will help you choose how to relate, instead of being in reactive mode. I create a safe place where family members have the opportunity to learn to express needs and support each other in healthy ways.

Family therapy is highly effective for depression, addictions, anxiety, unresolved grief, ADHD, coping with health problems, and parenting problems for all kinds of childhood and adolescent problems. My approach to family therapy involves helping a family to communicate and listen more effectively, better manage feelings, learn to better negotiate, effectively set limits, develop problem-solving skills, reduce stress as well as increase cohesion in your family. Family therapy often uses homework assignments to help the family practice the skills that are taught in the session. My approach is low key, supportive and focuses on practical things that family member can do resolve problems.

I strongly believe that family therapy is one of the most effective ways to create change quickly. When everyone is on the same page and working toward the same goals, it is much easier to achieve symptom-relief. Family therapy is particularly important when working with kids and teens as they often don't have enough control over their lives to make significant improvements on their own. I trained in marriage and family therapy so this form of counseling is a specialty for me and a significant factor in why I decided to become a therapist.

I am a Licensed Associate Marriage and Family Therapist and have experience working with a wide variety of families. I am committed to providing a warm, respectful and impactful therapeutic experience for all the families I work with. I understand and appreciate that every family is different. We will all work together to create change that is beneficial for everyone involved.

My specialized training in Marriage and Family therapy, with hundreds of hours of supervised relationship therapy, helps me see families as more than a collection of individuals. Frequently, families fail not simply due to character flaws or individual psychopathology, but because they don't see the effect they have on one another. Most families are made up of good people who nevertheless bring the worst out of each other. We will work to undo the negative family pattern and create new more effective ways of negotiating conflict and enriching each other.

Our lives are impacted greatly by the health of our family relationships. It typically doesn't take long when working with a family for members to start demonstrating in session some of the issues that exist. We strive to search what issues lie beneath the behaviors. Breaking bad communication patterns is a common place to start. The focus is on solutions, not blame.

Family therapy is needed when the family isn't working well. Maybe there are a lot of fights between parents and children or maybe one of the family members is using drugs or alcohol. Family therapy is a place where the whole family can talk about what is bothering them. Sometimes people want more closeness and sometimes family members want more distance. Family therapy is a great way to identify and sort out these issues.

We work with families to help resolve conflict, smooth out relationships, and restore the family as a source of stability, peace, and caring. We help families heal from the impact of life transitions, relationship and parenting issues, substance abuse/addiction, mental health disorders, trauma, and grief and loss. We have therapists who are specifically trained and licensed to work with couples and families. We live in a connected world, and those connections are part of both our problems and our solutions. Our therapists are specialists who understand this whole-system approach. Visit our website at http://www.centerlifecounseling.com for more information or to contact us for scheduling.

You feel like an 'other'. You may find yourself grieving the parent or family you never had even though they may still be alive. There is a deep sadness in you. You feel alone. You desire meaningful connection but have been hurt so many times....perhaps you have faded back from contact but are not sure how to move forward in life. You are seeking guidance and support and yet, it may feel scary to feel vulnerable. I understand you may have never experienced a sense of safety to express yourself. I can help. I invite you to email me or even schedule and let's get started.

There are many problems that can occur in our family relationships. it's very easy for conflict to occur in marriage, with children, family of origin, or even in-laws. As a therapist working with families for many years I've found that many problems can be solved through respectful communication of deeper feelings while developing greater understanding and appreciation of other family members. At the same time, there are some family situations with extremely difficult, defensive personalities that only create continued frustration, so that the best solution is to set clear boundaries for limiting the impact of such toxic personalities.

Too much fighting? Not enough harmony? LIFE Counseling LLC is a place for your family to find healing and helpful tools to overcome current obstacles in stressful times. You will benefit from an objective and fresh perspective toward how your current family difficulties can find hope to be reconciled and for trust and healthy communication to ensue.

Family therapy is a unique experience to invite any or all family members to join at various times during the counseling process, as determined by the family and the therapist. Families work as a system -- what one person does affects the rest of the family, and vice versa. Family therapy allows an opportunity to come together to work on and understand the unique dynamics of your family. We have worked with parents and children, as well as adult married couples and in laws, blended families, and more.

I have considerable experience working with families. I have worked with small children, tweens, teens and parents. I believe that a combination of individual and family therapy is an approach that works. We will work together to overcome the issues you and your family are going through. Understanding you’re not alone and getting support to help problem solve and learn communication skills is a step forward. We will take the time to move out of the chaos into a more authoritative environment. Authoritative is a blending of a caring tone with structure and consistent limit setting. Together we can make it work!

I use RLT and PACT approaches to family therapy. By teaching and managing appropriate communication, family members can learn to resolve conflict and repair relationships. Often there are member(s) who feel unheard. By slowing the communication and breaking it into parts, clients can learn to speak with clarity and learn to listen with curiosity and seek to understand without defensiveness.