Blended family counseling from our therapists at Thriveworks in Newport News, VA helps families who have come together through marriage work through changes, accept differences, ease tension, and form bonds. It enables parents to set boundaries and expectations around finances, parenting, and other areas. In addition, it offers all family members a safe space to voice their thoughts and feelings.
Blended family counseling will likely involve attending sessions as a group, but it might also involve individual sessions with each family member. It works by encouraging the group to share any emotions, concerns, or challenges they might be experiencing, as it relates to the family, and then offering tailored solutions.
Blended family counseling from one of our providers at Thriveworks in Newport News, VA can be short- or long-term, lasting for weeks, months, or years. The length is dependent on the family’s areas of concerns, whether they’re more immediate or they’re more complex. Together with your therapist, you can determine how long you should plan on attending therapy for best results.
Blended Families in Newport News, VA—Therapy and Counseling
The counselors at Thriveworks Newport News have worked with a number of blended families. We understand that being one, big, happy family takes a lot of work, but we also know it is worth the effort.
Call our office at (757) 418-8127 to schedule your session today.
Blending Two Families
When to families become one, some call this a step family. Others call it a blended family. Whatever term is used, the process is the same, but there is no mold. Blended families bring two families together as one, but there is no formula. Each is unique and has its own shape and size. Blended families can be…
- A widowed parent who is dating a divorcee who has children. The new partner is taking an active role in the child’s life.
- Divorced parents who have separate home and equally share parenting responsibilities. They may be dating again or even remarried, but their new partner/spouse is not involved in the children’s lives.
- Remarried parents who both have children and are both actively parenting all the children.
- A re-coupled parent whose new partner does not have children. The new partner is taking an active role in the children’s lives.
As a blended family comes together, there will be barriers—regardless of what form they take. These roadblocks will be different from the kids’ perspective and from the adult’s perspective.
Kids in Blended Families
Any changes in a child’s life can cause stress—even beneficial changes. Kids in blended families have a lot of changes to get used to. They may have to change schools or homes. They may have new siblings and a new birth order. The house rules and parenting styles may have changes as well. All the while, they may be feeling big emotions for the first time in their lives: grief, frustrations, anger, confusion, and more. As children are learning what to do with these big emotions, they may act-out in ways they never have previously.
Couples in Blended Families
Couples are not only working on a new relationship or a new marriage, they are also working on a new family. The adults in a blended family set the tone and the expectations for everyone else. They have a lot on their shoulders. Couples need to decide what parenting roles and style they will adopt. They may need to set up boundaries or expectations with each others’ ex’s. They may need to learn parenting skills if they have never been a parent before. Couples also have to navigate in-laws and extended families.
Counseling at Thriveworks Newport News for Blended Families
If your family is in the process of blending, consider reaching out for help. Thriveworks Newport News offers therapy for blended families.
Call today at (757) 418-8127 to schedule your session today.
