areas of focus
Whole Family Therapy practices many different types of therapy and customizes an approach specific to each individual and their needs. From emotionally focused therapy to behavioral therapy, I bring a holistic approach to each individual or family. These are some of my specialties:
substance abuse treatment
Substance abuse treatment is crucial because it provides individuals with the support and tools they need to overcome addiction and reclaim their lives. Effective treatment addresses the physical, psychological, and social aspects of addiction, helping clients to understand the root causes of their substance use and develop healthier coping mechanisms. In therapy, individuals learn tools to manage cravings, reduce the risk of relapse, and build a strong support network.
substance abuse and families struggling with substance abuse
People often struggle with substance abuse treatment for many reasons including: psychological, social, and biological factors. Many individuals have underlying mental health issues, such as depression or anxiety, which can make recovery even more challenging. Additionally, social environments can create significant barriers to change, making it difficult for individuals to maintain motivation and support. The physical dependence on substances can involve intense withdrawal symptoms, which can lead to fear of sobriety. Moreover, negative perceptions surrounding addiction can prevent individuals from seeking help or being honest about their struggles.
families with an LGBTQIA+ member
Families with an LGBTQIA+ member often navigate a complex emotional experience. While some may embrace their loved one’s identity with love and support, others might struggle with acceptance because of perceptions of societal norms, cultural beliefs, or personal fears. This can lead to feelings of confusion, grief, or even anger as family members wrestle with their expectations versus the reality of their loved one’s authentic self. Open communication, education, and empathy are crucial in these situations, as they can help foster understanding. Ultimately, families that work through these challenges together can emerge stronger, creating a more inclusive and loving environment for all members.
Supportive families create safe spaces where LGBTQIA+ individuals can express themselves authentically, promoting mental well-being and self-acceptance. These families often become advocates for inclusion and equality, not only enhancing their own understanding but also contributing positively to their communities. Ultimately, the presence of an LGBTQIA+ member can enrich a family’s experience, emphasizing love, acceptance, and the importance of embracing differences.
play therapy and sand play therapy
While adults can gain insight through talking, children learn through play. Play therapy allows children to express their feelings, thoughts, and experiences in a safe environment. Through various activities such as storytelling, drawing, and role-playing, children can communicate what they might struggle to articulate verbally. A therapist observes and interacts with the child during these play sessions, using toys and creative materials to help with exploring emotional expression. Play therapy creates healing and growth for children through learning to process their emotions, develop coping strategies, and improve their social skills. By creating a comfortable space for children to engage in play, a therapist can gain insight into their inner worlds and guide them toward healthier emotional functioning.
Sand play therapy is a unique therapeutic approach that utilizes a sandbox and miniature figures to allow expression and exploration of emotions and experiences. In this safe and creative environment, clients are invited to create scenes that represent their thoughts and feelings, allowing them to communicate non-verbally. This form of therapy draws on the subconscious to enable individuals to process trauma, work through emotions, and develop problem-solving skills. The texture of sand can be soothing to clients and the imaginative play it inspires provides a powerful tool for resolving challenges.
ADHD treatment
Struggling with ADHD can feel like navigating a chaotic storm of thoughts and distractions. Daily tasks that seem simple to others, such as organizing a room or completing assignments, often become overwhelming challenges, that can lead to frustration and feelings of inadequacy. The constant battle to maintain attention and manage impulsivity can strain relationships and negatively affect self-esteem.
Therapy for ADHD is adapted to the individual’s unique challenges and strengths, and often involves multiple factors. Involving families can be crucial, especially for children. Parent training helps caregivers understand ADHD and learn strategies to support their child. Family therapy can improve communication and reduce stress for all family members. Education about ADHD for both the individual and their family can help understand how ADHD affects behavior, emotions, social interactions, and learning. Behavioral therapy can assist individuals with ADHD in developing organizational skills, setting goals, and creating plans to manage time and responsibilities. Therapists work collaboratively with clients to establish routines and strategies that fit their needs. By combining therapeutic approaches with medication, when necessary, individuals with ADHD can improve their quality of life, develop effective coping mechanisms, strengthen relationships, and achieve their personal goals.
ADHD and families dealing with ADHD
ADHD can have a significant impact on families and couples. Parents may find themselves challenged by their child’s impulsivity, difficulty focusing, and emotional fluctuations, which can lead to the parents feeling frustrated and stressed. Siblings might feel neglected or overwhelmed, as attention often centers on the child with ADHD. For adults with ADHD, there can be a significant impact on romantic relationships. Partners may experience frustration over issues like forgetfulness, disorganization, and impulsivity, which can lead to misunderstandings and feelings of neglect. One partner might feel overwhelmed by the responsibilities that fall more heavily on them, while the other may struggle with feelings of inadequacy or guilt. Communication can also be affected, as ADHD may hinder one partner’s ability to stay focused during discussions or remember commitments. Often couples dealing with ADHD may fall into a parent/child dynamic that feels disappointing for both of them.
family transitions and life stages
Families navigate a complex journey through various life stages, each bringing unique challenges and opportunities for growth. While transitions may bring stress, they also offer a chance to strengthen bonds and develop new routines. In the early years, parents focus on nurturing and education, fostering bonds that lay the foundation for a child’s future. As children reach adolescence, families often struggle with independence, communication, and shifting dynamics, requiring flexibility and understanding. During adulthood, relationships may shift again as children leave home, prompting parents to redefine their roles and find new ways to connect. In later stages, families may face issues related to aging, health, and the loss of loved ones, which can deepen connections and encourage resilience. Throughout these transitions, the ability to adapt and support one another is crucial.
Beyond typical life stages, families face many other transitions. Whether it’s dealing with a job loss, relocating, divorce, establishing a blended family, or coping with the aging of parents, these shifts can test relationships and resilience. Getting help to embrace change together can lead to deeper connections and a renewed appreciation for each other’s roles within the family unit.
couple and family therapy
Couple and family therapy provides a safe space for individuals to express their feelings and concerns in a supportive environment. By facilitating open communication, a therapist helps couples and families understand each other’s perspectives, identify patterns of behavior, uncover underlying issues, and resolve conflicts. Additionally, a therapist often offers practical tools and strategies to navigate challenges. This collaborative approach can foster deeper connections, enhance empathy, and promote healthier relationships, which ultimately leads to improved emotional well-being and stronger family bonds.
types of therapy
Whole Family Therapy practices many different types of therapy and customizes an approach specific to each individual and their needs. Some of the therapies we pull from are as follows:
Culturally Sensitive
Emotionally Focused
Family Systems
Gottman Method
Person-Centered
Play Therapy
Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT)
Solution Focused Brief (SFBT)
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
Dialectical Behavior (DBT)
Sandplay
Solution Focused Brief (SFBT)
Strength-Based
Structural Family Therapy
what is DBT?
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) is a treatment designed to help individuals manage intense emotions and improve relationships with others. By combining cognitive-behavioral techniques with mindfulness practices, DBT teaches clients skills for emotional regulation, distress tolerance, interpersonal effectiveness, and acceptance. Individuals can feel empowered to navigate challenging situations more effectively and they can experience a greater sense of self-awareness and emotional resilience. As clients learn to balance acceptance with change, they often experience reduced emotional suffering, improved relationships, and an increased ability to cope with life's challenges.
what is EFT?
Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) helps individuals and couples by fostering emotional awareness and connection. By creating a safe space for clients to express their feelings, EFT enables them to explore their vulnerabilities, identify their unmet needs, and strengthen their emotional bonds. This process often leads to improved communication, increased empathy, and a deeper understanding of each other’s experiences. EFT empowers clients to create a secure attachment that supports their ongoing emotional well-being.
what is gottam couples therapy?
Gottman Couples Therapy is a research-based approach to relationship counseling developed by Drs. John and Julie Schwartz Gottman. They conducted over four decades of research on relationships, focusing on the behaviors and dynamics that contribute to the success or failure of romantic partnerships. One key aspect of Gottman therapy is the identification and management of negative patterns, such as the “Four Horsemen” (criticism, contempt, defensiveness, and stonewalling), which can damage a relationship over time. Gottman Couples Therapy aims to strengthen friendship and enhance emotional connection through tools to help couples manage conflict constructively and deepen their sense of intimacy.
additional areas of focus
Addiction
Life Transitions
LGBTQIA+
ADHD
Alcohol Use
Anxiety
Borderline Personality (BPD)
Child
Chronic Relapse
Coping Skills
Depression
Drug Abuse
Dual Diagnosis
Emotional Disturbance
Family Conflict
Infertility
Infidelity
Marital and Premarital
Obsessive-Compulsive (OCD)
Parenting
Relationship Issues
Self-Harming
Stress
Substance Use
Transgender
getting started
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