Family & Relationship
PREMARITAL COUNSELLING
If you are preparing for marriage be sure to let us know. We would be happy to work with you!
The decision to be married is perhaps the single most significant decision a person may ever make. This is because this decision affects the rest of one’s life. Marriage requires the lifetime commitment of two persons usually from different backgrounds, experiences, values and attitudes, ethnic and cultural histories. The differences that are often the source of attraction at the beginning of the relationship can become the source of conflict later in the marriage. Premarital counselling is effective in reducing these conflicts by providing the opportunity to fully understand each other, examine expectations, explore individuals past and perception of the future, examine principles and values that will affect behavior. Although premarital counseling does not prevent divorce, it does provide the couple with the tools necessary to navigate the challenges that come with being married. If you are thinking of getting married, premarital counseling ought to be on the top of your list.
COUPLES COUNSELING
If your relationship is showing signs of addiction, emotional abuse, sexual abuse and or physical abuse, it is time to seek professional help immediately. You may also receive help and support necessary to secure a place of safety for yourself or other members of the family.
Given the stressful issues of everyday life it is almost certain that romantic couples will experience some level of strain in their relationship. Severe stressors may include resentment, infidelity, intimacy issues, lack of trust, and miscommunication. When problems go unresolved, or a partner is suffering from mental illness or health complications, one can feel helpless or have feelings of guilt or shame. Effective communication and mutual understanding have been shown to alleviate emotional anxiety from these stressors.
Couples often seek couples or marriage counseling when the relationship is at a standstill, or if they are unsure whether or not the relationship is worth salvaging. The benefit of couple’s therapy extended even to children who have been affected by relationship issues such as divorce.
Treatment techniques may include the following:
Emotionally Focused Therapy
Positive Psychology
Learning Effective Communication Skills
Problem-Solving Skills
Enhancing Intimacy
Individual Counseling
Couple's Retreat
FAMILY THERAPY
If you are experiencing any challenges in your family. Be sure to let us know we would love to work with you to solve these issues.
Families are a unique ecosystem, and issues affecting one member of a family can reverberate and affect the whole unit. Many unsuspecting issues can affect the emotional stability, the health and welfare of the family. Issues such as death or divorce, sickness, substance abuse by a family member, broken trust between parents, or between parents and children, sibling conflicts or financial stress are just a few. Family therapy can be helpful when problems arise to restore and improve emotional health within the family.
How can family therapy help?
Family counseling assists family members to understand each other’s perspectives. It helps each member of the family to learn ways of improving communication and develop techniques to de-escalate arguments while making sure that everybody is heard. Sometimes family therapy may be done with individual treatment to ensure the most effective outcome. Be sure to talk with us about this service if you think it may necessary for your family.
PARENTING COUNSELING
If you are finding it difficult to be a parent be sure to let us know.
Parenting and family issues are often intertwined. Many of the issues that affect the wider family also have a direct impact on parent’s effectiveness. Issues such as differences in opinion and value system, domestic violence, trauma, divorce, being a single parent, infidelity, in laws intervention, divorced or separated parents entering into new relationships, can all have consequential effect on parenting if not managed carefully. Seeking support from a mental health professional can help parents and families develop acceptance and skills to manage these issues and repair relationships that may seem unsalvageable.
PARENTING SUPPORT
If you sense a need for help, be sure to let us know.
In addition to parent counseling, providing support to parents can be just as helpful. Whether you are married or single, you may feel as though you are on your own, especially if you are dealing with a difficult situation or behavioral issues with your child. Sometimes a parent needs guidance when reinforcing rules and setting boundaries for a child. Going through a divorce may even aggravate the challenges. Each of these issues can affect a family unit, and it’s important that you get the support you need during these difficult times. Parent support groups can assist with improving parenting skills, as well as relationships between the parent and child. Parental support may also be through one-on-one sessions with a therapist, or via family counseling.
INTIMACY & RELATIONSHIP ISSUES
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, be sure to let us know. We will be happy to work with you.
Intimacy problems widely occur behind a variety of closed doors. Conflicts may include a loss of harmony between the sheets, a lack of sexual desire between either partners, infidelity or failure in communication. There are often psychological factors that may contribute to a sexual disorder such as erectile dysfunction, or a lowered desire after a new mother has given birth. Intimacy issues are common, but if one or more become severe and there is no resolution in sight, it may be time to seek therapy for guidance.
Some of the signs that sexual problems are affecting a relationship include:
Disappointment in oneself or the relationship
One or both partners feeling dissatisfied
Couples lack communication and disconnect from one another
One or both partners feeling neglected or unwanted
A feeling of sexual boredom or unhappiness
Tiredness- physically and emotionally
To address these concerns, psychosexual therapy has been helpful to allow for a free expression of the issues affecting intimacy in a relationship and create a safe emotional space to develop the level of bonding and trust necessary to sustain intimate connections.
DIVORCE COUNSELING
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, be sure to let us know. We will be happy to work with you.
Perhaps second only to death, is the feeling of loss from the impact of divorce for many people. Some effects are long-lasting and extensive. Whether you are forced to end your marriage, or it was forced up on you, getting help to sort through the myriad of consequential effects will be important. The process can be lonely and emotionally painful. For some, the feeling of shame and guilty mixed with a sense of failure can be overwhelming. For others, the fear of the unknown and the dread of living alone makes them vulnerable.
Finding a trusted and competent mental health professional is important to work through the emotional and mental challenges that often present during the process of divorce. It is often helpful to secure this support in preparation for the actual termination of the relationship and the physical separation. Therapy sessions allow you the opportunity to give voice to your pain, explore your options and provide you with new skills that may be necessary to ensure your positive and successful life after the divorce.