Nanaimo Family Therapy

Family Therapy: Healing Family Relationships in Nanaimo

If your family is experiencing estrangement or ongoing conflict, family therapy can help rebuild connections, improve communication, and heal emotional wounds. Specializing in relationship and family counselling, I support families in reconnecting, understanding, and resolving long-standing issues. Whether it’s repairing damaged relationships or managing boundaries, family therapy can provide a path forward.

What Causes Family Estrangement & Conflict?

Family issues are often the result of:

• Communication breakdowns
• Misunderstandings
• Unresolved conflicts
• Accumulated resentments

The emotional toll of estrangement and conflict can affect family members daily. Even if communication is cut off, the impact often lingers. *In some cases, cutting ties with unhealthy relationships may be necessary, and I can guide families and individuals through this process, helping set healthy boundaries.

Goals of Family Therapy for Estranged Relationships

1. Establish Safe and Respectful Communication
   ◦ Create a safe space for honest, open communication
   ◦ Use active listening to ensure that everyone feels heard without fear of judgment
   ◦ Encourage reflective listening to clarify meaning and prevent misunderstandings
2. Build Empathy and Re-establish Trust
   ◦ Empathy-building exercises help family members understand each other’s experiences
   ◦ Role-reversal activities help individuals see the situation from another perspective
   ◦ Rebuilding trust through mutual understanding and validation
3. Identify Underlying Issues and Family Patterns
   ◦ Explore recurring behaviors or family roles that contribute to conflict or distance
   ◦ Address unresolved hurt and misunderstandings to prevent repeating harmful patterns
   ◦ Shift away from blame by using “I” statements to express feelings (e.g., “I felt unheard” vs. “You never listened to me”)
4. Develop Action Plans to Move Forward
   ◦ Create actionable goals for improving family relationships and communication
   ◦ Set small, achievable steps to foster positive family connection
   ◦ Implement problem-solving tools that each family member can use to address future challenges

Helpful Guidelines for Successful Family Therapy

• Be Open-Minded: Approach therapy with a willingness to listen, understand, and change.
• Practice Patience: Trust and relationships take time to rebuild. Small, consistent efforts are often more successful than trying to resolve everything at once.
• Self-Regulate: Stay calm and curious, even when hearing something uncomfortable or perspectives different from your own. Avoid emotionally charged reactions that can derail progress.
• Commit to the Process: Regular attendance and engagement in family therapy are crucial for lasting change.
• Embrace Vulnerability: Express your feelings honestly and without blame. Family counselling provides a safe environment.

Process of Family Therapy

1. Initial Assessment
   ◦ I first meet individually with each family member to understand their perspective and barriers to communication. In some cases individual work, such as honing communication tools, is needed before meeting as a group.
   ◦ Assess any mental health or addiction issues that need to be addressed before therapy begins.
2. Therapy Sessions
   ◦ Work together to develop better communication, set healthy boundaries, and explore deeper issues.
   ◦ Practice active listening and conflict resolution techniques to reduce misunderstandings.
3. Action Plan and Ongoing Support
   ◦ Create a personalized action plan for each family member to continue improving their relationship outside of therapy.
   ◦ Provide tools and strategies to handle conflicts constructively going forward.

Family Therapy in Nanaimo: Rebuilding Family Connections

Family therapy can be a transformative experience for those struggling with estrangement or conflict. I offer in-person family counselling in Nanaimo and central Vancouver Island (and online anywhere in BC), focusing on rebuilding trust, enhancing communication, and addressing emotional issues that may be at the root of family conflict. With over 25 years of experience, including advanced training and certification in family therapy, I am here to help your family heal and reconnect.

Contact me today to learn more about how family therapy can help you and your family create stronger, healthier connections.