Our therapists provide family therapy in Pittsburgh, PA

My go-to approach for helping people in family therapy is to start where they are, meaning with what prompted them to come to therapy and what is weighing on them the most. My style is eclectic, so I prefer to adapt my methods to meet their needs, and this changes as therapy progresses. In family therapy, I find the best benefit when everyone involved feels heard because this allows for positive progress for all involved.

These are some of the tools or coping skills that I teach in family therapy:

• Problem solving: Looking at your situation to identify what you CAN do instead of only seeing the problem.
• Mindfulness: Techniques that increase awareness and help you focus on being present in the moment and connecting you with your thoughts and feelings.
• Grounding exercises: A part of mindfulness often used to cope with feeling anxious or overwhelmed.
• Communication skills: Learning to express your thoughts and emotions appropriately to yourself and others, this includes listening skills.
• Relaxation techniques: Used to reduce stress, anxiety, and other symptoms as well as for self-care.
• Strengths: What are your strengths? What are the strengths of your family members? Identifying positive traits helps to identify what we can build on while navigating the issues.

I know clients are making meaningful progress in family therapy when they report using skills that they learned in therapy successfully. Anytime someone reports that therapy is helping them feel better, that is progress. When someone is able to incorporate new coping skills into daily life and see the progress, that is meaningful. Even small positive changes to your perspective and behaviors will have a significant and meaningful impact in your life.

Clients can supplement their time in family therapy by practicing their listening and other skills between sessions. They can read articles or books to increase their knowledge and understanding. I often make suggestions or send links to articles that are specific to their needs or concerns. If you find information on your own, it is always a good idea to ask your therapist to confirm that the information is accurate, especially for information found on social media or online videos.

To prepare for their first family therapy session, an individual can make a list of questions and/or concerns. Bring a list of any medications that you are taking, prescription, OTC, and supplements. Have a list of prior mental health treatments with dates and names if possible. But most of all be kind to yourself and allow yourself to be open to the idea of exploring your thoughts and emotions.