Families change over time
Family relationships are some of the most rewarding and challenging we will ever have. They are some of the longest lasting and emotionally intense.
Relationships are constantly changing and with each phase comes a different set of issues. By the time we reach the ‘grown up’ children phase, it’s usually how much time to spend together; what information to share, how involved we should get in each other’s lives, moving out, introducing new partners, or when to give advice.
For many, there are three key challenges in this phase. First, accepting our parents are real people with real feelings and vulnerabilities. Second, accepting our ‘grown up’ children have very different ideas about how they want to live their lives. Third, not knowing how to have the conversations - adult to adult. If we fail to reach acceptance and find a way to have more connected, satisfying conversations, we can become disconnected, frustrated and even estranged.
How can therapy help?
That’s where therapy can help. Therapy is a great place for ‘grown up’ children, siblings and parents to gain the tools necessary to re-calibrate their relationships by having better, healthier, more connected conversations.
How does it work?
The first step is to schedule a 15 minute call. Then, we set up one-hour individual sessions for each of you. During those sessions we focus on understanding how each of you process information and stimuli and what you personally would like to get out of the work we will do in the joint sessions. Once everyone has an individual session, we come together for the first two-hour joint session. In this session we set the foundation for you to explore the changes in your relationships. At the end of the joint session, we will talk about what we feel is the right rhythm of therapy for you as a family.
How many sessions will we need?
This depends on a few things. First and foremost, whether everyone is on board and willing to do the work. Second, how quickly you individually and collectively connect with the process of therapy, and lastly, whether you are all willing to continue the process outside the therapy room. For many families one individual session each and three or four joint sessions is often enough to begin to experience a positive shift in their relationship.