Family Issues

The Brady Bunch provided great entertainment, but a false narrative for what blended family life is like for many families. Meshing children and parents from other relationships is not always a smooth transition. There may be unresolved feelings about the union of the new parents, tension between the now-blended siblings, or even bonding issues between the parents and the children from the other relationship. However tough they are though, they can work – and beautifully. Your family may just need a little help navigating the tough stuff. Family therapy is where the tough stuff gets resolved.

Even in the most amicable separations, a divorce is the finale of a relationship or marriage. Not all parties handle the finale well. Sometimes, even adult children have a hard time with the divorce of their parents. When a couple separates, the lives of everyone that was impacted by the union are also now affected by the separation. We’re here to help families deal with the impact – whatever it is. Family therapy is where people can learn to navigate their new roles post-marriage. It’s helpful for all parties involved.

Not everyone is excited about being an empty-nester. Children and young adults leaving home for college, marriage, etc., automatically changes the paradigm for those that remain at home. People are what make a home and when the dynamics of that home change, there are sometimes feelings of loneliness and depression that accompany their absence. We’re here to help your family navigate this new normal in a way that makes sense for you. Family therapy can help.

The death of a loved one is never an easy thing to cope with. Their absence changes you and your family unit – forever. The occasions that would have normally brought you all together are never going to be the same. The how, why and where you celebrate things that are important are not the same. These changes, especially when they’re unexpected but even when they are, require a set of tools that lots of families need help cultivating. That’s where we come in. Through family therapy, we can help individuals and whole families sojourn through the darkest times of their lives – together.

In the course of one’s life, sometimes the path they start out on is not the one they choose to continue on. At a certain point, something happens and a decision to change course is necessary. These are very individual decisions that can sometimes have an impact on the family. An example that we see pretty commonly is that of people who have recently made a decision to enter (more deeply/openly) the LGBTQ+ community and are now sharing their decision with their families. In an ideal world, everyone would be open to the idea, welcome the change with open arms and throw support the size of Texas in the direction of their loved one. That doesn’t always happen. And when it doesn’t, disappointment takes hold and things often take a sour turn. However, through open communication, education and with time and tools that we can help families to learn, things can and do get better. A few of the other lifestyle changes that we may help families to navigate through family therapy are:

• Weight loss surgeries (not everyone is always going to celebrate you taking the steps to be a new, healthier and better you. Some people aren’t happy unless they have a “one-up” on you. That can be a devastating revelation and we’re to help you navigate that.
• Gender confirming or gender confirming surgery
• Name changes/ adapting to pronoun changes

This word is so powerful and can take on so many different forms. It’s not even always intentional, but it always hurts.

Family conflicts can take a toll on emotional well-being, leading to feelings of anger, depression, frustration, or guilt.

Families often have complex dynamics that can be challenging to understand and navigate.

Family members may have set expectations and roles that can create pressure and tension.

Change within a family unit can be met with resistance, making it difficult to address underlying issues.

Consider reaching out to a mental health professional who specializes in family therapy or counseling. They can provide a safe and non-judgmental space for addressing family-related challenges. Reach out to us today to schedule a consultation with our mental health professionals. We are here to listen, understand, and support you in addressing and resolving family-related challenges. They can provide valuable insights and strategies for fostering healthier family dynamics.

Work on improving communication within your family. Learning to listen actively, express feelings constructively, and resolve conflicts can lead to healthier relationships. Effective communication is often the key to resolving conflicts and strengthening relationships.

Establish healthy boundaries within your family to define roles, expectations, and limits.

Prioritize self-care practices to support your emotional well-being, especially during times of family-related stress.