Family can be some of the most difficult relationships we will ever have. Parents, caregivers, siblings, and relatives all carry with their own set of beliefs, unique life experiences, and personalities, creating a complex relational network that inevitably clashes from time to time. These fights can encompass a wide array of themes including: parenting struggles, child behavioral issues, mental illness among member(s), lack of boundaries and understanding, role transitions and changes in the family system, attachment trauma, emotional and physical abuse. Family therapy is structured to help identify the roots of problematic interactions and improve communication and understanding among all members present. By taking an empathic and non-judgmental approach, deescalating conflict, and remaining neutral (not taking sides), we can work with you and/or your family to most effectively handle disagreements and communication issues.
In addition, we recognize how particular cultural norms can inform our family system. Desires to avoid confrontation and suppress conflict impact the way Asian families typically communicate, along with deeply entrenched practices of emotional repression, obligatory obedience and deference to authority figures. If you have experienced some of these patterns and are seeking help to understand how to navigate relations with family, we would be happy to work with you to achieve these goals.
See our blog posts for helpful information on this topic: