Family Counseling
Family counseling can be extremely effective, especially when there is a teenager in the house. I offer family counseling to families who have a preteen/teenager in the family system. Many of the issues families face include:
Struggles with Communication/Boundaries/Rules
Families can get into interaction patterns that don't work. This incudes communication ruts, yelling matches, poor boundaries or rigid boundaries. Family Counseling can help the family begin to communicate in healthier ways, while allowing a safe place to discuss everyone's feelings and thoughts. It can be difficult to have discussions about rules, boundaries and discipline. The more collaborative parents can make this process with their teen, the more likely their teen will respond positively.
Family Counseling is not Couples Counseling
April does not offer couples or marital counseling. If she determines you and your partner would benefit from seeing a couples specialist during the family counseling intake, she will make referrals to counselors that specialize in marriage/couples counseling. In family counseling, the family is the client. In marriage counseling, the relationship is the client. If April has to focus on the relationship during family counseling, then the process becomes ineffective. Please be sure to discuss any marital issues with April prior to the family session so she can determine what type of counseling should be the priority.
Divorce/Custody Issues
April is not a parent facilitator, which means she cannot make recommendations on which parent the teen should live with. However, April can work with the parents on discussing what is best for their teen outside of the court system. Cordial communication is required.
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Insurance
If you are planning to attend family counseling and use your insurance, please call your insurance to make sure you have coverage for family counseling. Many insurance plans do not include family counseling benefits, which would mean your sessions will be out of pocket. Family session fees are $200 for the intake and $180 for the following sessions.
Parenting Struggles
April does offer parenting sessions to discuss boundary setting, incorporating freedom, step-parenting issues, as well as co-parenting and custody struggles. These waters can be very tumultuous for parents and parent sessions can be extremely beneficial. Being a good parent is the hardest job you'll ever have!
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The Process
For families who wish to take part in family counseling, I highly recommend allowing the pre-teens and teens to have individual sessions in order to establish a trusting relationship with me so that they don't feel attacked or ganged up on by all of the adults in the room.