Couples/Family Therapy

Couples Therapy is a safe, neutral space for significant others to communicate their needs and concerns, to best learn how to support each other and work through conflict. The therapist will work with the couple as a whole together, and also individually at times to best gather information and determine couples needs and a all encompassing treatment plan. We understand that at times a couple’s treatment goals may differ. As both significant other’s are their own unique person, this is understandable. When this occurs the therapist serves as a mediator to establish a happy medium or compromise. Couple’s Therapy serves to assist individual's in better understanding and accepting each other, and learning how to move past and forgive a situation when one individual is hurt and trust is broken. We understand that in the current times, between financial stress, work stress, family stress, parenting stress and other scenarios, that it can be hard at the end of a long work day, to not take that stress out on a loved one. Or to have difficulties in finding energy to express and communicate feelings to a partner, or to address and resolve a conflict. Though with no intention of doing so from either party, this can create a gap in the relationship that over time becomes more and more distant. We serve to work with couples on improving communication, delving into uncomfortable areas, creating a deeper understanding of each other and their perspectives, determining love languages/needs, and learning how current and past (individual) experiences can impact the relationship.

Family Therapy is a safe, neutral space for parents/caregivers and their children to explore family roles, dynamics, communication styles and expectations that may lead to faulty communication, and behavior patterns. We will work with parents/caregivers and their children together, and individually at times to gather information on the role each individual plays in the family, and to identify where the tension and conflict may arise from. Stephanie Buchanan LPC is a specialist in youth and family services, and is a big proponent of the fact that to address a child’s needs in individual therapy, that the family also needs to be involved to help the child implement skills and tools in the home to improve. In addition, to best meet the child’s needs it is important to not only get the child’s perspective of their needs, but the family as well, to cater to the individual’s unique needs and come up with a all encompassing treatment plan. One of the best examples, Stephanie has of the importance of family therapy is that a child who is having a behavioral outburst at home and who is having difficulties regulating, will de-escalate faster if family is aware of the skills he/she is working on in therapy and uses these skills with the child to help them regulate. Another example, is working with parents and child on creating a daily schedule chart to help their child improve independence. While the above primarily focuses on youth and parents/caregivers, family therapy can also be for parents/caregivers, their adult children and other immediate family in the home, or for assistance in co-parenting after a divorce or re-marriage.

Stephanie’s specialties are youth and family, communication issues, co-parenting, substance abuse and infidelity/trust issues in a relationship

Our sessions are 53 minutes, and with tele-health, early morning, and evening appointments, you should be able to find a convenient hassle free time for you. If you prefer tele-therapy, this time for self-care would not even require having to leave the house! Call, email, or schedule today to get started.

Our approach in therapy is to provide a safe, supportive place, where feelings are validated and normalized, with a focus on how our thoughts, impact our feelings and behaviors, as well as, our patterns in how we view and handle the world and how we have developed these patterns. Below are the specific areas we address in treatment: