Parents and Family Therapy

The internet is full of advice on healthy relationships, how to parent, and what an ideal family looks like. It can be hard living in our messy, loud, and confusing reality. I help families of all ages and stages by distilling down the latest research about developing brains and attachment theory to practical methods tailored specifically to the needs, values, and challenges of your family.

Parents are Human – Often having kids uncovers or reminds us of pain, trauma, or unhealed experiences from our own childhood. Sometimes this can also begin to negatively impact our ability to parent. I can help you understand your reactions and have compassion for yourself. From there we can help you heal and make changes.

United Parenting – Usually when people grew up in different families, they have different ideas on how to parent. This can lead to conflict between partners and kids who can’t predict how their parents will respond to them. I can help you get on the same page with your partner so that you can be a united, confident, consistent parenting team.

Parenting in Teen Years – Teens are notorious for having big feelings, risky behavior, and lately, lots of mental health challenges. Parents can feel overwhelmed, shut out, and out of control. We also know that teens are passionate, creative, funny, and looking for connection. I help reconnect teens and parents while defining boundaries and expectations.

Failure to Launch – Lots of families are struggling with teens and young adults who are facing challenges such as depression, anxiety, substance use, and dependence. It is hard to know when to support becomes a barrier to independence and responsibility. Some parents feel frustrated and resentful when their kids needs start to look like manipulation. I want to help before it seems like the only option is no relationship at all.

I use a Dialectical Behavioral Therapy Informed approach to help parents learn how to set healthy boundaries that express both love and confidence so that their kids can take responsibility for their own lives.

If we focus only on our child’s behavior (her external world) and neglect the reasons behind that behavior (her internal world), then we’ll concentrate only on the symptoms, not the cause that’s producing them. And if we consider only the symptoms, we’ll have to keep treating the symptoms over and over again.

- Daniel J. Siegel, M.D. & Tina Payne Bryson, PH.D.

Schedule Today

I offer free, 20-minute online consultations.

Consultations give me a chance to learn more about what you are looking for, explain the intake process, and answer any questions you may have. Consultations help us begin to see if we will be a good working fit.

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GR Family Therapy Blog

Emotionally Focused Therapy as explained by the founder, Dr. Sue Johnson

HOLD ME TIGHT Article by Dr. Sue Johnson originally published in Psychology Today I grew up in my parents' pub in England, where there was always a lot of drama. And all the drama—fights, flirting, tears, tantrums—revolved around love. I also watched...

“There’s Going To Be Some Changes Around Here!”

Have you ever said this about your home? My clients tend to say this about expectations and routines for their kids around any change of season: at the beginning of summer vacation, the start of a new school year, or even heading into spring break. At these times...

You know that feeling?

That feeling at the end of the day. Probably a long day where you had to say, “Hurry up!” and “Let’s go!” and repeat simple commands over and over again until you finally had to say it in a ‘mean’ voice that made your little one cry and then they still weren’t...