Family Counseling
Family counseling helps family members improve communication and resolve conflicts. It may include all family members or just those able or willing to participate. Family counseling sessions can also teach family members skills to deepen family connections, navigate stressful times, and change unhelpful generational family patterns for the long term.
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Check out the many areas of focus Compass counselors specialize in and read service descriptions below!
Family members can struggle at times to exchange their thoughts and feelings with one another. Our family counselors help to improve communication skills among family members by teaching active listening, facilitating open discussions, and addressing barriers to create more effective communication.
In family counseling, you can learn strategies to resolve disagreements in a more constructive manner with your loved ones. A family counselor will guide you and your family members in identifying the root cause of conflicts, encourage negotiation and compromise, and foster a supportive environment for resolution.
When parents separate, it can be difficult to manage to raise children and share responsibility with your previous partner. Our counselors assist by promoting consistency in parenting strategies, addressing co-parenting challenges, and enhancing cooperation and communication between parents.
When families lack boundaries, it can create a breakdown within the family system. In family counseling, we help you establish healthier boundaries among your family members, ensuring that everyone understands their roles and responsibilities while respecting each other's personal space.
When children take on responsibilities or emotional burdens that are inappropriate for their age, this can cause a mixture of emotions between children and parents. Our counselors work to reestablish age-appropriate roles, encouraging parents to support their children without over-relying on them for emotional needs.
When certain family members receive preferential treatment or are unfairly blamed for problems, this can create a tense environment at home. A family counselor will help facilitate discussions to identify and address these dynamics, promoting fairness and understanding within your family.
When alliances are formed within the family, this can exclude certain members of the family and create tension. Our counselors encourage families to recognize and adjust these alliances, fostering inclusivity and healthier relationships among all members of the family.
When merging two families into one, often after remarriage, various issues can arise. A family counselor will provide support in navigating challenges such as loyalty conflicts, establishing new family roles, and building relationships among step-siblings.
When deciding to separate and even end a marriage, many issues can occur that impact the family dynamics. Our counselors assist families in processing their emotions, establishing new routines, and ensuring children’s needs are prioritized during this transition.
Disagreements and rivalries are very common between brothers and sisters. Family counselors help siblings develop conflict resolution skills, understand each other's perspectives, and foster healthy relationships through more effective communication.
Sometimes in families, distorted roles can exist such as the "golden child," "scapegoat," or "forgotten child," which can lead to dysfunction. Our family counselors work with you to identify these roles and promote healthier interactions and expectations for the benefit of the entire family unit.
Disputes between parents and children are common and often stem from differences in values or expectations. Our counselors facilitate understanding among parents and children by encouraging open dialogue and teaching conflict-resolution strategies.
Addiction can impact a family member’s behavior and relationships with other members of the family. Our family counselors support families affected by addiction and utilize psychoeducation, communication strategies, and the development of healthy coping skills to promote a more supportive family environment.
When children grow up, issues can arise when they struggle to establish independence and their parents cope with changing roles. Our counselors will facilitate discussions on healthy boundaries, autonomy, and redefining relationships to encourage mutual respect and understanding among adult children and their parents.
Areas of Focus
