Problem behaviors: There are many different reasons why children start acting out or get stuck in problem behaviors. The goal of therapy is to get at the root of those behaviors and help the whole family create positive change. 

Adolescence can be a particularly difficult time in a family. Parents often wonder who switched the little boy or little girl they knew with a moody, disrespectful tween or teen. Some common problems that show up in adolescence are: talking back, lying, being overly influenced by peers, and not helping around the house. Some more serious problems may involve teen depression, anxiety, and substance abuse. Parents may struggle with how to communicate with their adolescent without resorting to nagging or yelling. Family therapy can provide a place for everyone in the family to have a voice and work together on positive solutions.

Divorce: No matter what the reason for a divorce, there is no escaping some negative effects on the children. Parents can help, however, in how they deal with their divorce and how they talk to their children about it. Children often need an outlet for talking about their thoughts and feelings around the divorce. Visitation and custody issues need to be worked out in the best interest of the children. All of these are issues that can be addressed in therapy.

Step-family formation: Something happens and you find yourself alone in raising your kids, maybe for a short while or maybe for a long time. Then you meet someone and fall in love. The two of you decide to get married. Maybe that person has children as well. Suddenly, you realize you are in the process of forming a step-family. This is not an easy or "natural" process. A lot of roles and rules need to be worked out. Parenting styles need to be coordinated. A strong foundation needs to be built. The divorce rate for second marriages is higher than the divorce rate for first marriages, mainly because of the difficulty in transitioning into a step-family. Family therapy can help ease this transition and help lay a positive foundation for this new family.