Family Therapy  in Cincinnati, Ohio

Family Therapy

The word family can encompass an array of different meanings for all of us on an individual level. For some, family is their immediate or extended. For others, it may be mixed or a handful of your closest friends. Whatever your definition of family is for you, it is a system. Similar to many systems, our families are made up of individuals who may share or differ in thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that are a product of the interpersonal relationships we have with one another. The individual roles that we play within our familial system impact the functioning of the system. For example, if a set of parents decide that they are going to get a divorce, that is going to impact the other members of that system. Another example, an adolescent is starting to want more time away from their family and spend more time with their peers. Both scenarios exemplify individually change is constantly happening. Sometimes the family seeks support to ensure a healthy functioning of the family system when the changes occur.  

Reasons to Seek Family Therapy

Below is a list of some of the common reasons that families may seek therapy as a unit. This certainly does not include all the motivations for a family to attend therapy, as we recognize that every family is different in their experiences. 

  • Personal conflicts within the family system 
  • Unexpected illness 
  • Unexpected death
  • Unexpected unemployment 
  • Behavioral challenges in children/adolescents 
  • Divorce
  • Separation
  • Co-Parenting 
  • Substance Use 
  • Boundary setting 
  • Communication challenges 
  • Blended families 
  • Mental Health challenges (depression, anxiety, mood disorders) 
  • Sibling challenges

Families can be complicated, Counseling can help. 

Family Counseling

Our families play a role in our lives throughout every developmental stage and experience we have as individuals. There are times that the experiences we have interrupt the healthy functioning of our family system. From the family who feels like they do not understand one another to the family who wants to help one member who is facing a challenging time, family therapy can help. 

When working with families (challenges regarding substance use, anxiety, depression, self-identity) I saw first-hand how skills related to managing interpersonal relationships is so valuable in the family setting. For the adolescent who wanted to communicate with their parents regarding their sexual orientation, communication tools for both the adolescent and family members were essential. For the family who did not agree on rules and boundaries, problem solving tools came into play. And for the family that feels like they just cannot agree on anything, conflict resolution! Providing a space for families to empathize and understand how one another work on an individual level allows for the family to reach the ability to function in a healthy way as a unit. 

How does family therapy work? 

Like other types of therapy, family therapy integrates an abundance of interventions and techniques based off theories derived over the years. Depending on the reason for a family to seek therapy and the approach of the counselor there are different methods. With that said, there are fundamental approaches that take place in the therapeutic setting of family therapy. At first it may be the parents that enter therapy and then it is decided that including the rest of the immediate family would be valuable. This may be for the therapist to gain a better understanding of how the family handles situations and the environment that all members reside in. 

Overall, the therapist plays a few important roles in this setting. Providing a space for the family to empathize and communicate with one another by clarifying conflicts. Sometimes families do not realize what is creating the challenges. Once there is a mutual understanding among all members of the family what is happening, the sessions will then continue to move forward. There are so many skills that can help in understanding how individual attitudes and emotions are impacting the family. Through understanding, goal setting, education, and communication the overarching goal is to help families reach an understanding and healthy way to move forward with one another. 

At Emma Schmidt and Associates our therapists are here to help you have better communication within your family so you can get back to enjoying relationships with those you love.

Our Approach to Family Counseling

DBT consists of 45-50-minute, one-on-one sessions that help you work through your concerns. In addition to listening, we will ask questions and provide guidance based on our expertise. We play a very active role in the therapeutic process. Here’s how it will work step-by-step:

  1. We will provide a safe, accepting space so that you will feel comfortable sharing your struggles with us.
  2. We will listen to your story to try and determine the best course of action.
  3. We will address your immediate concerns like managing difficult conversations and challenging life situations.
  4. Together we will create some goals for therapy
  5. Keeping your unique goals in mind, we’ll figure out what’s needed to help you reach them
  6. Over the course of our sessions, you will start making progress towards the life you desire.

Research shows that Family Counseling can positively change your thinking, beliefs, emotions, and behaviors. It can help you let go of what’s holding you back. Let us help you feel better.

Online Therapy for DBT in Ohio, Indiana, and Kentucky:

If you’re unable to make it to our Cincinnati-based counseling clinic, know that we also offer online therapy in Ohio ,online therapy in Indiana, and online therapy in Kentucky to help individuals deal better understand your family situation. Our therapists are skilled at providing high-quality online therapy and can offer you the same high-quality counseling services through our tele-health platform. If you’re not sure if online therapy is right for you, but think it might be, contact us. We offer free 15-minute consultations so you can connect with a therapist and see if you enjoy meeting with a therapist online.

NExt Steps

Begin Family Counseling in Cincinnati, OH

If you’re ready to begin a conversation about Family Counseling and work on the issues that matter most to you, Emma Schmidt and Associates would be honored to speak with you and share the many ways we can help you thrive. To begin counseling in Cincinnati, OH, or online therapy, follow these steps:

1. Contact Emma Schmidt and Associates to request a free Anxiety Counseling consultation.

2. Meet with a skilled therapist for Anxiety treatment in Cincinnati, OH or online therapy in Ohio or Kentucky

3. Begin Anxiety treatment and begin your journey towards mental wellness, health, and happiness.

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Other Therapy Services Offered at Emma Schmidt and Associates:

More to check out…

The therapy team at Emma Schmidt and Associates, a Cincinnati-based therapy office, are relationship and sex therapists. However, that’s not the only mental health service they offer. Our therapists treat general mental health and relationship concerns. We treat many different sexual concerns including sexual pain and erectile dysfunction, and mismatched libido. We also offer depression treatment, sexual trauma treatment, trauma and PTSD treatment, relationship and couples therapy, and affair recovery counseling. In addition, they offer online therapy in Ohio and online therapy in Kentucky. Contact our office to learn more about the many ways our team of skilled clinicians can help you thrive.