Family Systems

Family systems was foundational in my master's program of couple and family therapy. I use this lens in sessions to further expand the view and experience of each individual, knowing that their current and past family experiences has informed their development.

I graduated with distinction from my Master's program in the study of family systems. Where traditional psychology looks inward towards the individual, family systems says the individual cannot be known until we know what systems they belong to. These systems start with the family, but also expand into community, state, country, and all manner of cultural systems. Exploring through a systems lens can often help an individual understand their identity in a stronger way.

My work focuses on building impactful relationships. Family Systems theory is a lens through which I view treatment. I have taught university graduate-level courses centered on the application of family systems theory. I received specialized training as a marriage and family therapist, received additional training in postgraduate school, presented at national conferences on family systems dynamics, and have over a decade of experience working with families in clinical settings.

Systems Theory doesn't have to mean bringing in your entire family. A look at your family system gives info into how and why you are the cog shaped the way you are, just like in a clock. We look at how all the cogs work together & by changing only one of the cogs (you), all the others are affected. Understanding your family system and how you function(ed) in it is key to lasting change for yourself, since we tend to find people (or cogs) that looks just the ones we already know.

I specialize in family systems therapy, exploring how family dynamics, roles, and communication patterns shape individual behaviors and relationships. By addressing these interconnected systems, we work to resolve conflicts, enhance understanding, and strengthen bonds. This collaborative approach empowers families to create healthier interactions, promoting growth, harmony, and well-being for every member.

Completed additional training in family systems.

Family systems therapy is a powerful approach that focuses on understanding and improving the dynamics within a family. By looking at the family as a whole, this therapy helps identify patterns and behaviors that may be causing stress or conflict. It's especially beneficial because it not only addresses individual issues but also strengthens family bonds, promotes better communication, and fosters a supportive environment.

Everybody had or has some form of family, whether you born into it, choose it, or found yourself in a situation with others that essentially represented a family. I use the Systems approach to change the perception of who you are and why you do the things you do by looking at how you were shaped and influenced by the people in your lives as you developed. We were all set up to think and believe and act the ways that we do because of those around us as we developed.

Even if you are coming for individual or couples therapy, I believe that it is important to understand how your upbringing and family environment affects you now. My belief is that we can understand and, therefore, change the present moment when we understand its connection to our past beliefs and habits.

Systems Theory is not necessarily about doing therapy with an entire family (who has time for that?). A look at your family system is like seeing the inner workings of a clock. We have much more information about how and why you are the cog shaped the way you are shaped, when we look at the functioning of the entire clock. What's magical is, by changing how you are shaped, or how you behave, you can't help but affect the shape (behavior) of all the cogs in your family, workplace or community!

In my work with families experiencing relational conflict, my clients find that employing an approach rooted in attachment theory allows me to help them learn about the communication patterns within the family unit. Through this work, members of the family typically report that they understand where their own communication patterns come from, how their family system operates as a whole, and their role in improving communication within that system.

I take a collaborative, trauma iniformed, systems-based approach to therapy. I believe that each individual has the strength inside them to be successful in thier day to day relationships. We respond to stress based upon the tools we developed early in life. When we begin to notice those tools are no longer working for us, Counseling can be a safe place to begin self-exploration, honor our experiences, and begin to learn new ways to manage stress, emotions, and relationship patterns.

I am also trained in Family Systems and use this approach to help clients deal with family issues/concerns by helping them understand their roles in their families and learn how these roles affect the way they treat each other and experience the outside world.

The goal of Ego State Therapy is to facilitate communication and collaboration among internal parts of self, fostering a sense of harmony and integration within the individual. Rather than viewing internal conflicts as a battle to be won or lost, this approach emphasizes compassion, curiosity, and understanding towards all parts of the self.

We explore the patterns and structures present within the family that impact relational patterns that can lead to individual behavioral and emotional struggles, as well as communication challenges. We work to build healthier patterns of interaction, and reinforce healthy structure within the family to improve the function of both the individuals and family as a whole.

Family Systems therapy looks at how each individual is connected to their family, community, culture and spirituality. People are wonderfully complicated and how you end up as you is a combination of many things, relationships and events that have happened throughout your life. True healing can begin when all these parts of you are looked at and healed through love, compassion, understanding and setting healthy boundaries.

My deep understanding of the family systems approach is born from comprehensive training and rich experience. I've explored intricate family dynamics and the profound impact of communication patterns. I guide individuals in grasping how familial interactions mold their lives. My nurturing focus lies in fostering insights into these dynamics, empowering clients to cultivate improved relationships and communication.

Everybody had or has some form of family, whether you born into it, choose it, or found yourself in a situation with others that essentially represented a family. I use the Systems approach to change the perception of who you are and why you do the things you do by looking at how you were shaped and influenced by the people in your lives as you developed. We were all set up to think and believe and act the ways that we do because of those around us as we developed.

Similar to attachment theory, family systems shape our childhoods and give us experience playing certain roles early in life. These roles may or may not create difficulty later on, especially when you are faced with a need to be flexible and divert from your most comfortable role. We can merge family systems work and analysis with role playing and other embodied methods to help break free of the constraints that roles can force upon you.