Happy family outside sitting on a bench in a wooded area.

Therapy For Adolescents, Caregivers, and Families

Building Hope and Crafting Solutions Through Therapy

A family hugging outside.

When your family isn’t able to connect and communication breaks down, it’s ok if you don’t have all the answers.

Family therapy focuses on the relationship between the members of a family and their interactions with each other. Safety is a priority, so we will first determine a safety plan to ensure all family members feel comfortable and safe! Together we will find the most effective ways for your family to communicate, find the optimal solutions, manage, and heal. Family therapy can help family members find new ways to communicate, resolve conflict, and reduce stress.

Benefits of
Family Counseling

  • Resolution of family conflicts

  • Development of boundaries

  • Finding ways to deal with anxiety, depression, and isolation

  • Sources of support during life transitions

  • Better communication

  • Safe space for family members to share feelings

  • Stronger bonds

  • Finding new solutions and options

  • Learning new communication tools

Conditions and Areas Treated

  • ADHD

  • Adoption Issues

  • Anxiety/Panic Disorder

  • Autism

  • Borderline Personality Disorder

  • Bullying

  • Coping Skills

  • Depression

  • Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder

  • Executive Functioning Disorder

  • Mood Disorders

  • Parent-Child Conflict

  • Personality Disorders

  • Treatment Center Reintegration

  • Relationship Issues

  • School Refusal

  • Self-Esteem/Self-Worth

  • Self-Injury

  • Suicidal Ideation

  • Transracial Families

Mother and daughter playing a board game.

Family therapy with Michelle includes:

  • Safety planning to increase every family member's feeling of physical and emotional safety in their own home.

  • Psychoeducation to better understand the reasons behind the behavior (to understand, NOT excuse).

  • Identification of unhealthy patterns that lead to negative behavior.

  • Establishment of new communication patterns and tools to increase regulation both in the moment and during quiet times.

  • Definition of the family's objectives and setting measurable indicators to track progress.

  • Conversations about family values and priorities, exploring how these ideals manifest in their everyday routines or their desired aspirations, the importance of structure and consistency, and how to manage extended family relationships.

Parenting Therapy Strategies for Safety, Alignment, and Support

Parenting is a complex journey. Two individuals with unique backgrounds each have their own relationship with the child. These differences influence how each person responds in challenging situations and can make joint parenting difficult. Safety is paramount, especially in complex and severe cases of adolescent trauma. Safety planning for both the individual and the family is crucial when addressing adolescent mental health challenges to ensure the well-being and security of everyone involved. It helps mitigate immediate risks and establishes a supportive environment conducive to effective therapeutic intervention.

In addition to safety planning, Michelle ensures parent alignment on the family situation. Do you both envision the same behavior and outcome for the child? What's your threshold for what you’re willing to tolerate?

Michelle will also help parents gain perspective on other stressors affecting how they parent and aid in identifying sources of support and calm to help stabilize the family unit. It begins with seeing your co-parent and yourself in a 360-degree perspective, as complete people, instead of as isolated, stressed parents who are consumed with trying to keep your child safe and your family intact. It is never a matter of not caring, it's a matter of not always knowing what to do and fearing that what you're doing is going to cause more harm. 

Family healing starts with the parents. Let’s work together to help you get on the path to progress for your family.