Family therapy is based on the belief that treating the system (the family) as a whole, rather than the individual parts (individual members) will create profound and longer-lasting change. The primary advantage of family therapy is that therapists are not only witness to the family dynamic as it unfolds in the therapy room, but actually become an integral part of the family during the therapy sessions. The therapist can support family members in improving dysfunctional dynamics while modeling healthier forms of communication and relating.
As the traditional family form has become less predominant in our culture and nontraditional family structures have become the “new normal,” family therapy approaches have evolved to address the unique needs of blended, single-parent, adoptive and same-sex parent families.
Stepfamilies, or blended families, face challenges unique unto themselves. Not only are there complex logistical issues to address: where to live, visitation scheduling with former spouses, differing parenting styles; but there are also fundamental issues of loss for both parents and children that often go unaddressed. Whether due to divorce or death, feelings of loss of the original family unit must be confronted. In addition, children are often faced with issues of loyalty/disloyalty when creating relationships with new family members, particularly new parental figures. Accordingly, stepfamilies go through different developmental stages than traditional families and the first few years of a stepfamily can be stressful. Therefore communication and a strong and unified couple in charge of the stepfamily system are fundamental to survival. However, with support, education, and guidance through these unique challenges, the new family can not only adapt, but ultimately thrive.
Our approach at Tam Counseling is to provide comprehensive family therapy services to support any configuration of our client’s needs all under one roof. These services may include any combination of the following: couples counseling, child/adolescent therapy, family therapy, and individual therapy. When our counselors are working with different components of an individual family, there is the option (with our client’s written permission, of course) to consult with one another and support the entire family in achieving it’s goals.
Individual adult clients may also opt to bring siblings or parents into occasional therapy sessions when they feel the need to address family-related material in a structured and supportive environment.
We at Tam Counseling are experts in and passionate about resolving issues and facilitating growth in the “new normal” family in all it’s rich and diverse forms.
For more information about our Family Therapy services, please contact us at
info@tamcounseling.com or (415) 413 8330
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