As a family therapist, my role is to observe and evaluate the dynamics at work in a family system, and work together with the family group to develop and maintain healthy, functional relationships and behaviors among members. A family can be a group one has from birth or that a person joins by choice, but it always involves long-term, supportive or care-taking relationships. Thus our family forms one of the most important influences on how we relate to others and how we view ourselves and the world around us.

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Some of the ways I support healthy family dynamics include:

• Helping family members build coping and communication skills to ease conflict

• Practicing replacement of dysfunctional patterns of behavior with healthier interactions

• Strengthening and modifying family structures to establish clear and safe boundaries and expectations

• Using consistency, honesty, and dependability to build trust within a family system

• Identifying, challenging, or modifying underlying meanings and assumptions in family interactions

• Guiding family members through disruptions in family stability to maintain healthy functioning

• Modeling and teaching parents skills for effective positive discipline and engagement

• Providing a secure and non-judgmental space for family members to express themselves and build open, honest, and compassionate communication with each other.

• Assisting each family member to develop or access the tools needed to facilitate healing and wellness.