Client Services

Family & Couple Mental Health

I work with families with adult members. I specialize in helping families where one member has a major mental health diagnosis such as persistent Major Depression, Bipolar Disorder, or Schizophrenia.

Couple_At_SunsetFamilies do not cause mental illnesses, but what they do can make a big difference in the course and severity of these disorders. Families affected by mental illness need to be equipped with current reliable information and the best possible skills to overcome the exceptional challenges of persistent mental illness and the mental health care system. Competent professionals will, with the ill family member’s permission, welcome family members as partners in providing effective care. Perhaps the most effective way for family members to become involved is family therapy. Family therapy has been demonstrated in at least nine scientific studies to reduce the ill family member’s symptom relapse rates an average of 35% over customary outpatient care.

I offer evidence-based family and couple therapy. Such therapy is practical, improving communication, coping, and problem solving skills. I learn about your family’s concerns, then guide your family in identifying and working toward common goals. Usually these include reducing family stress, increasing mutual support, and improving problems related to any mental illnesses in the family.

ANNOUNCING:

CLASS FOR FAMILIES AFFECTED BY

SERIOUS MENTAL HEALTH DISORDERS

In this class, you will:

  • Learn helpful information about psychosis, the schizophrenia spectrum, bipolar disorder, and other mental health diagnoses, including what does and does not contribute to their development.
  • Gain understanding of your diagnosed family member’s symptoms, including difficulties they may have with concentration, memory, complex thought processes, and understanding and accepting their diagnosis.
  • Gain understanding of evidence-based treatments and the process of recovery.
  • Learn about local mental health agencies and the services they provide.
  • Learn about medications prescribed for mental illnesses.
  • Learn about various paths to treatment for people with mental health diagnoses.

Completion of this 1-day 6-hour class is required to participate in the Family Skills, Support, and Problem-Solving Group to be scheduled when filled. There is no obligation to enroll in the group.

The class will meet online via a video service on January 21, 2023.

Cost: $195 per device logged in.

Maximum enrollment: 15

Please call or email to enroll.

 

FAMILY SKILLS, SUPPORT, AND PROBLEM-SOLVING GROUP

This group for families affected by serious mental illnesses will help you develop and improve strategies to:

  • Problem solve and communicate better with someone with a major mental disorder diagnosis.
  • Maintain a positive and productive relationship with your diagnosed family member.
  • Navigate the mental health system and serve as an effective advocate for your family member.
  • Manage crisis and relapse.
  • Discover new ways of coping with a mental disorder in the family.
  • Pursue life balance, manage difficult emotions, and keep a helpful perspective on the challenges you face.

The group meets two nights a month for two hours.

THE CURRENT GROUP IS FULL, BUT ANOTHER GROUP IS PLANNED FOR 2023.  

CONTACT US TO GET ON THE WAITING LIST.