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Relationship & Family Counseling Being in an intimate relationship with another human being can be extremely stressful, even when you are deeply in love. This is true for long-term committed friendships, as well as marriages, partnerships and loverships. When adding children to a couple, or adding a partner to single-parent family, daily living issues can become complex. Sometimes couples decide to begin therapy early in their relationship, or when things are first becoming stressful, with the goal of working on things before they become unmanageable. This is a worthwhile pursuit, and it is often much easier to change patterns before they become embedded into the relationship style of a couple. However, most often people do not seek professional counseling until couple and family problems are painful and entrenched. This, of course, makes the therapist's task more complex, having to sort through years of complicated emotions and experiences. It is, however, possible to heal even badly wounded relationships. It takes commitment and willingness to look more closely at one's own behavior, goals, as well as what they desire in a relationship. Not every relationship can be “saved,” but most relationships can heal, and people can learn to respect, enjoy and honor each other. Families with children are often coping with complex developmental issues, as families expand, contract and realign themselves due to births, deaths, adoptions, marriages and divorces. Parents with young children are often struggling with their roles as men or women, trying to adapt to new parenting roles, as well as maintaining intimacy in their own lovership. Single parents struggle with being “everything” to their children, as well as organizing the house and finances — too often with little help from others. Parents of older children struggle with issues related to their kids growing independence, as well as concerns around drugs, sexual experimentation, and letting go of their “babies.” In this modern age, many people are parenting with partners they are no longer married to, or step-parenting children from previous relationships. Children may be growing up as part of extended families that include step-parents and step-siblings. As people move out of their own ethnic and racial communities into a more multicultural world, many are involved in interracial, interethnic, or interreligious marriages and partnerships. This can create internal issues due to different values and upbringing, differences regarding childrearing practices as well as potential “in-law” difficulties or judgment from the outside community. Family issues can include complex issues such as infertility, adoption, miscarriage, chronic illness, mental health issues, bereavement, infidelity, and remarriage. It can also include problems related to career issues, sex role divisions, financial concerns, and parenting skills. Many couples crave more emotional intimacy in their adult relationships, as well as greater sexual intimacy. It is part of the normal process of family development for there to be tough stages and growth periods for family members. Making a commitment to relationship and family counseling can be a first, yet important, step towards a more rewarding and successful family life. Couple or family sessions are the standard “50-minute therapy hour,” with 10 minutes at the end to set up the next appointment. To make an appointment or receive information on fees, please contact Choices Counseling & Consulting.
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