F A M I L I E S
Every family has patterns. Some bring you closer, and some leave everyone feeling unheard, criticized, or alone. My work with families helps you notice those patterns, understand them, and replace them with ways of communicating that keep you connected, even through conflict, disappointment, and change.
What We Work On Together
Communication that builds connection. You’ll learn practical skills like empathy, curiosity, reflective listening, and seeking to understand rather than persuading someone out of how they feel. We practice them step by step: first with simple questions in a group, then one-on-one, and eventually in natural, unscripted conversation.
Healthy boundaries and rebuilding trust. Trust grows when boundaries are set, respected, and followed through on. We work on clear boundaries, keeping commitments, and healthy roles, such as parents staying in the parent role.
Differentiation: staying close without losing yourself. Healthy families can hold different opinions, needs, and limitations without treating differences as moral failures. I help family members self-soothe, assume good intent, and stay connected without becoming reactive or codependent. I also keep cultural values in mind, since closeness and family roles mean different things in different families.
Managing disappointment and resetting expectations. Many family conflicts come from expectations that were never spoken or never met. We learn to negotiate, handle disappointment, and adjust to life changes in ways that meet both individual and shared needs.
Healing old wounds in the present. New experiences of being heard and understood can heal old hurts. For adult children and their parents, I help create a safe space for hurt to be expressed and heard, and for parents to decide what they are willing to offer. We stay realistic about what family therapy can do. An apology can be one meaningful step, and it isn’t the whole journey.
