A family smiles as they participate together in a counseling session

Building Stronger Family Connections Through Competent, Comprehensive Counseling

Family life can be incredibly rewarding, but it also comes with its challenges. Communication breakdowns, unresolved conflicts, and the stresses of daily life can strain even the closest relationships. At Armstrong Family Counseling, LLC, we understand the complexities of family dynamics and are here to help your family navigate these challenges with compassion and expertise.

Our approach to family counseling is rooted in proven therapeutic practices from leading experts like Salvador Minuchin and Murray Bowen. We also incorporate insights from personality theory, developmental psychology, and parenting strategies such as โ€œParenting with Love and Logic.โ€ By integrating these evidence-based methods, we create a personalized therapy experience that addresses the unique needs of each family member while fostering a more harmonious and supportive home environment.

Whether youโ€™re seeking to resolve conflicts, improve communication, or strengthen your family bonds, our experienced therapists are dedicated to guiding your family toward greater understanding and connection. Together, we can help your family overcome challenges and build a foundation for lasting growth and happiness.

Click Here to Browse Our Therapists
Click Here to Request an Appointment Now

What is Family Counseling?

Family counseling, also known as family therapy, is a form of psychotherapy that focuses on improving the relationships and dynamics within a family unit. It addresses the patterns of interaction between family members and seeks to resolve conflicts, enhance communication, and build stronger, more supportive relationships. Unlike individual therapy, which focuses on a single person, family counseling involves multiple members of the family working together with a therapist to identify issues and develop strategies for improvement.

Family counseling can be beneficial for families facing a wide range of challenges, such as communication breakdowns, conflicts between parents and children, the stress of major life transitions, or coping with a family memberโ€™s mental health issues. It provides a safe space for each family member to express their thoughts and feelings, while also learning how to listen to and understand one another.

Get Started Today

At Armstrong Family Counseling, LLC, our approach to family counseling is rooted in evidence-based practices from renowned experts like Salvador Minuchin and Murray Bowen. We also incorporate insights from personality theory and developmental psychology, allowing us to tailor our therapy to the unique needs of each family. Whether youโ€™re dealing with everyday struggles or more complex issues, family counseling can help you build a healthier, more harmonious family life.

Click Here to Browse Our Therapists
Click Here to Request an Appointment Now

A mixed race family benefits from family counseling at Armstrong Family Counseling

Our Theoretical Foundations

At Armstrong Family Counseling, LLC, we believe that effective family therapy requires a deep understanding of the complex dynamics that shape relationships. Our approach is grounded in the work of some of the most respected figures in family therapy and psychology, allowing us to address both individual and collective needs within the family. Hereโ€™s how our theoretical foundations guide our work:

Salvador Minuchinโ€™s Structural Family Therapy

Salvador Minuchinโ€™s Structural Family Therapy is a cornerstone of our approach. Minuchinโ€™s work focuses on the structure of family relationships, emphasizing the importance of clear boundaries, defined roles, and healthy hierarchies. By analyzing and restructuring these elements within your family, we help create a more balanced and supportive environment where every member can thrive.

Murray Bowenโ€™s Family Systems Theory

Murray Bowenโ€™s Family Systems Theory offers a vital perspective on how families operate as interconnected systems. According to Bowen, the behavior of each family member influences and is influenced by the broader family dynamic. We use this theory to explore how patterns of behavior are passed down through generations and how they impact current relationships. By addressing these patterns, we can help your family develop healthier, more adaptive ways of interacting.

Integrating Personality Theory

Understanding the unique personalities within your family is key to improving communication and relationships. We incorporate several personality assessments into our practice:

  • The People Code: This tool helps us identify each family memberโ€™s core motivations and how these drive their interactions with others. Recognizing these motivations can reduce misunderstandings and improve empathy within the family.
  • MBTI (Myers-Briggs Type Indicator): The MBTI allows us to understand how different personality types perceive the world and make decisions. By applying these insights, we help family members appreciate each otherโ€™s perspectives and communicate more effectively.
  • The Five Factor Model: This model assesses five major personality traitsโ€”openness, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism. Understanding where each family member falls on these traits helps us tailor our interventions to support better relationships and family dynamics.

Developmental and Attachment Theories

We also draw on key concepts from developmental psychology and attachment theory to address the emotional and psychological needs of your family:

  • Erik Eriksonโ€™s Stages of Development: Eriksonโ€™s theory outlines the key psychosocial stages that individuals go through from infancy to adulthood. By understanding these stages, we can support family members as they navigate life transitions, ensuring their developmental needs are met.
  • John Bowlbyโ€™s Attachment Theory: Attachment theory, developed by John Bowlby, examines how early bonding experiences influence relationships throughout life. Our therapists work to strengthen or repair attachment bonds within the family, fostering trust, security, and emotional well-being.

Parenting with Love and Logic

Effective parenting is a critical component of family well-being. We incorporate the โ€œParenting with Love and Logicโ€ approach, which emphasizes empathy paired with logical consequences to help children learn responsibility and self-discipline. By integrating these principles into our family counseling, we empower parents with practical strategies that nurture their childrenโ€™s growth while maintaining a loving, supportive environment.

Get Started Today

At Armstrong Family Counseling, LLC, our use of these theoretical foundations allows us to provide a comprehensive, personalized approach to family counseling. By combining insights from family systems, personality theory, developmental psychology, and effective parenting strategies, we help your family build stronger, healthier relationships.

Click Here to Browse Our Therapists
Click Here to Request an Appointment Now

Services Provided

At Armstrong Family Counseling, LLC, we offer a wide range of family counseling services designed to address the unique challenges and dynamics of your family. Our approach is rooted in evidence-based practices and tailored to meet the specific needs of each family member. Here are the key services we provide:

Conflict Resolution

Conflicts are a natural part of family life, but unresolved disputes can lead to ongoing tension and disconnection. We use techniques from Salvador Minuchinโ€™s Structural Family Therapy and Murray Bowenโ€™s Family Systems Theory to identify and address the root causes of conflict within your family. Our therapists guide you through the process of developing constructive strategies for resolving disputes, fostering a more peaceful and cooperative family environment.

Communication Enhancement

Effective communication is the foundation of strong family relationships. We work with your family to improve how you express thoughts, feelings, and needs while also enhancing your ability to listen empathetically. By incorporating insights from personality assessments like The People Code and the MBTI, we help you tailor communication strategies that resonate with each family memberโ€™s unique style, reducing misunderstandings and promoting deeper connections.

Parenting Support and Guidance

Parenting can be challenging, especially when managing different developmental stages or navigating co-parenting after a separation. We offer comprehensive parenting support, grounded in the โ€œParenting with Love and Logicโ€ approach. This method combines empathy with logical consequences to help parents raise responsible, self-disciplined children. Our therapists provide practical strategies to strengthen parent-child relationships and create a nurturing, supportive home environment.

Family Restructuring

Sometimes, the structure of a family needs to be reorganized to create healthier dynamics. Using principles from Structural Family Therapy, we work with families to redefine roles, establish appropriate boundaries, and strengthen relationships. This restructuring process helps ensure that each family memberโ€™s needs are met while maintaining the overall harmony of the family unit.

Attachment-Based Interventions

Secure attachment bonds are essential for emotional well-being and healthy relationships. We use attachment-based interventions, informed by John Bowlbyโ€™s Attachment Theory, to help families strengthen or repair these bonds, particularly between parents and children. Our therapists work to build trust and emotional security within your family, fostering deeper, more resilient connections.

Personality and Developmental Insights

Understanding each family memberโ€™s personality and developmental stage is crucial for effective therapy. We integrate personality assessments such as The People Code, MBTI, and the Five Factor Model, along with Erik Eriksonโ€™s Stages of Development, to tailor our therapeutic approach to the unique traits and needs of your family. This personalized approach ensures that therapy is relevant and effective for every member of your family.

Co-Parenting Counseling

For families navigating divorce or separation, effective co-parenting is crucial to maintaining stability and support for your children. Our co-parenting counseling services help parents work together to create consistent rules, expectations, and communication methods across households. By fostering cooperation and mutual respect, we help you build a positive co-parenting relationship that prioritizes the well-being of your children.

Get Started Today

At Armstrong Family Counseling, LLC, our family counseling services are designed to support you through every stage of your familyโ€™s journey. Whether youโ€™re dealing with ongoing conflicts, navigating life transitions, or seeking to strengthen your family bonds, our experienced therapists are here to guide you toward a healthier, more harmonious family life.

Click Here to Browse Our Therapists
Click Here to Request an Appointment Now

Benefits of Teen Counseling

Family counseling offers numerous benefits that can significantly enhance the well-being and harmony of your family. At Armstrong Family Counseling, LLC, we take a holistic approach that addresses both the individual and collective needs of your family members, helping you build stronger, healthier relationships. Here are some of the key benefits of engaging in family counseling:

Improved Communication

Clear and effective communication is the cornerstone of any healthy relationship. Family counseling helps each member of your family express their thoughts and feelings more openly and listen more empathetically. By learning to communicate more effectively, your family can reduce misunderstandings and foster a more supportive and connected home environment.

Enhanced Conflict Resolution Skills

Every family experiences conflict, but unresolved issues can lead to long-term tension and stress. Our therapists equip your family with the tools and strategies needed to resolve disputes constructively. By addressing the underlying causes of conflict and teaching healthy ways to manage disagreements, family counseling helps your family move forward with greater peace and cooperation.

Stronger
Family Bonds

Family counseling focuses on building and maintaining strong, healthy relationships. Whether youโ€™re working on parent-child dynamics, sibling relationships, or marital interactions, therapy can help you strengthen the emotional bonds that connect your family. These deeper connections contribute to a sense of security, belonging, and mutual support within the family.

Support During
Life Transitions

Life transitions, such as moving, divorce, remarriage, or the arrival of a new family member, can be challenging for everyone involved. Family counseling provides the support and guidance needed to navigate these changes smoothly. By addressing both the emotional and practical challenges of these transitions, therapy helps your family adapt and thrive during times of change.

Increased Understanding
of Individual Needs

Each member of your family has unique needs, personality traits, and developmental stages. Family counseling helps you understand and appreciate these differences, allowing you to support one another more effectively. By recognizing and addressing the individual needs of each family member, therapy promotes a more harmonious and balanced family dynamic.

Healing and Strengthening Attachment Bonds

Secure attachment is vital for emotional well-being and healthy relationships. Family counseling can help heal and strengthen attachment bonds, particularly between parents and children. By addressing attachment-related issues, therapy fosters trust, emotional security, and a stronger sense of connection within your family.

Personal Growth
and Development

Family counseling not only benefits the family as a whole but also promotes personal growth for each member. Through therapy, individuals can gain insights into their behavior, develop better coping mechanisms, and improve their emotional well-being. This personal growth contributes to a healthier, more resilient family dynamic.

Tailored Interventions for Unique Family Dynamics

No two families are alike, and our family counseling services are tailored to meet the specific needs of your family. Whether youโ€™re dealing with complex dynamics, cultural differences, or unique challenges, our therapists use evidence-based approaches to create personalized interventions that work for your family.

Co-Parenting and Unified Parenting Approaches

For families navigating divorce or blended family situations, family counseling offers essential support for co-parenting and developing unified parenting strategies. By working together in therapy, parents can establish consistent rules, expectations, and communication methods, providing their children with stability and continuity across households.

A Safe Space for Healing and Growth

Family counseling provides a safe, confidential environment where each member can express their feelings, fears, and concerns without judgment. This safe space encourages honest communication, emotional healing, and collective growth, allowing your family to work through challenges and emerge stronger and more connected.

Get Started Today

At Armstrong Family Counseling, LLC, we are committed to helping your family experience these benefits through compassionate, expert-guided therapy. Whether youโ€™re facing current challenges or seeking to strengthen your familyโ€™s foundation, our family counseling services offer the support you need to create a healthier, happier family life.

Click Here to Browse Our Therapists
Click Here to Request an Appointment Now

Our Approach

At Armstrong Family Counseling, LLC, we recognize that every family is unique, with its own set of dynamics, challenges, and strengths. Our approach to family counseling is both comprehensive and personalized, designed to meet the specific needs of each family member while fostering healthier relationships within the family as a whole. We combine proven therapeutic methods with a deep understanding of individual personalities and developmental stages to create a supportive, effective counseling experience.

Grounded in Proven Theories

Our approach is rooted in the work of renowned experts like Salvador Minuchin, Murray Bowen, Erik Erikson, and John Bowlby. By integrating these theoretical frameworks, we address the complex patterns and interactions that shape family dynamics. This allows us to help your family navigate conflicts, improve communication, and build stronger connections.

  • Structural Family Therapy (Salvador Minuchin): We focus on analyzing and restructuring the organization of your family, ensuring that roles, boundaries, and hierarchies support healthy, balanced relationships.
  • Family Systems Theory (Murray Bowen): Bowenโ€™s theory helps us understand your family as an interconnected system, where the behavior of each member influences the entire family. By addressing these dynamics, we promote healthier interactions and relationships.

Integrating Personality and Developmental Insights

Understanding the unique personalities and developmental stages of each family member is essential for effective therapy. We incorporate personality assessments like The People Code, the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), and the Five Factor Model into our counseling process. These tools help us tailor our interventions to the specific traits and preferences of each individual, enhancing communication and reducing misunderstandings.

  • The People Code and MBTI: These assessments help us identify and understand the core motivations and personality types within your family, allowing us to facilitate better communication and empathy.
  • Erik Eriksonโ€™s Stages of Development: We consider each family memberโ€™s developmental stage to ensure that our approach meets their emotional and psychological needs, particularly during times of transition or stress.

Attachment-Based and Developmental Approaches

Secure attachment and healthy development are vital for emotional well-being. We draw on John Bowlbyโ€™s Attachment Theory to strengthen or repair the bonds within your family, particularly between parents and children. By focusing on these attachments, we help create a nurturing environment where all family members feel secure and supported.

Parenting with Love and Logic

Effective parenting is a crucial aspect of family health. We integrate the โ€œParenting with Love and Logicโ€ approach, which combines empathy with logical consequences to help parents raise responsible, well-adjusted children. This approach empowers parents with practical tools for managing behavior and fostering their childrenโ€™s growth in a loving, supportive environment.

Personalized and Collaborative Therapy

We believe that the best outcomes in family counseling come from a collaborative process where each family memberโ€™s voice is heard and respected. Our therapists work closely with your family to develop personalized strategies that address your unique challenges and goals. We create a safe, non-judgmental space where open communication is encouraged, allowing your family to work through issues together and strengthen your relationships.

Focus on Long-Term Well-Being

Our goal is not just to resolve immediate issues but to foster long-term well-being for your family. We equip you with the skills and strategies needed to maintain healthy relationships and manage conflicts beyond the therapy sessions. By focusing on both short-term solutions and long-term growth, we help your family build a solid foundation for a healthier, more harmonious future.

Get Started Today

At Armstrong Family Counseling, LLC, we are committed to helping your family navigate challenges, strengthen bonds, and create a more supportive home life. Our integrative approach ensures that every aspect of your familyโ€™s needs is addressed, providing the guidance and support you need to thrive together.

Click Here to Browse Our Therapists
Click Here to Request an Appointment Now

 

FAQโ€™s

Family counseling, also known as family therapy, is a form of psychotherapy that involves working with multiple family members to address issues affecting the family unit. The goal is to improve communication, resolve conflicts, and strengthen relationships within the family.

Any family experiencing challenges such as communication breakdowns, unresolved conflicts, parenting difficulties, or life transitions can benefit from family counseling. It is especially helpful for families who want to enhance their relationships, support each other during difficult times, or address long-standing issues.

Family counseling can address a wide range of issues, including communication problems, conflicts between parents and children, sibling rivalry, behavioral issues, parenting challenges, and the impact of life transitions such as divorce or relocation. It can also help families navigate mental health concerns like anxiety, depression, or trauma that affect one or more members.

The duration of family counseling depends on the specific issues being addressed and the goals of the family. Some families see improvement in just a few sessions, while others may benefit from longer-term therapy. Your therapist will work with you to develop a plan that meets your familyโ€™s unique needs.

During a family counseling session, the therapist facilitates discussions among family members to explore relationship dynamics, identify areas for improvement, and develop strategies for positive change. Sessions may involve open communication, role-playing, and problem-solving exercises to help family members better understand each other and work through challenges.

Yes, family counseling is confidential. What is discussed in therapy sessions stays between the family and the therapist, with certain exceptions related to safety concerns, such as instances of abuse or harm. Your therapist will explain these exceptions during your initial session.

Conflicts are a natural part of family counseling, and our therapists are skilled in helping families manage them constructively. We create a safe, supportive environment where each family member can express their thoughts and feelings. Our goal is to facilitate respectful communication and guide the family toward understanding and resolving conflicts in a healthy manner.

Parents play a crucial role in family counseling. They often serve as key influencers in the family dynamic and are essential in implementing the strategies discussed in therapy. Our therapists work closely with parents to help them understand their childrenโ€™s needs, improve their parenting skills, and create a nurturing home environment.

We use personality assessments like The People Code and the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) to help family members understand their core motivations and communication styles. These insights allow us to tailor our therapeutic approach to each individualโ€™s personality, improving communication and reducing misunderstandings within the family.

Getting started is easy. Simply contact us to schedule an initial evaluation with one of our experienced family therapists. During this session, weโ€™ll discuss your familyโ€™s needs, explain our approach, and develop a personalized plan to help your family achieve its goals.

Click Here to Browse Our Therapists
Click Here to Request an Appointment Now

Additional Resources

National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)

The NIMH provides comprehensive information on mental health issues that can affect families, such as anxiety, depression, and behavioral disorders. Their website offers educational resources, research updates, and practical advice for supporting family members with mental health challenges.

Website: www.nimh.nih.gov

The Gottman Institute

Renowned for its research on relationships, The Gottman Institute offers a variety of resources that can help families improve communication, resolve conflicts, and build stronger bonds. Their books, blog posts, and online programs are excellent tools for families looking to enhance their emotional connections.

Website: www.gottman.com

American Psychological Association (APA) โ€“ Family Resources

The APAโ€™s website includes a wealth of information on family dynamics, parenting, and mental health. Their articles, brochures, and tools are designed to help families navigate common challenges and promote psychological well-being.

Website: www.apa.org

Books by Salvador Minuchin

Salvador Minuchinโ€™s groundbreaking work on Structural Family Therapy offers deep insights into family dynamics and effective therapy techniques. His books, such as Families and Family Therapy, are essential reads for anyone interested in understanding and improving family relationships.

The Bowen Center for the Study of the Family

The Bowen Center provides resources and educational materials on Murray Bowenโ€™s Family Systems Theory. Their website includes articles, videos, and information on training programs for those who want to learn more about this influential approach to family therapy.

Website: www.thebowencenter.org

Books by Erik Erikson

Erik Eriksonโ€™s theories on psychosocial development are critical for understanding how individuals grow and change throughout their lives. His books, such as Childhood and Society, offer valuable perspectives on how developmental stages impact family dynamics.

Attachment and Human Development Journal

This academic journal publishes cutting-edge research on attachment theory and its applications in therapy. Itโ€™s a valuable resource for those interested in the latest findings on how attachment influences family relationships.

Website: www.tandfonline.com

OurFamilyWizard

OurFamilyWizard is an online tool designed to help separated or divorced parents manage communication, schedules, and expenses. Itโ€™s an invaluable resource for co-parenting and ensuring that the agreements made in therapy are effectively implemented.

Website: www.ourfamilywizard.com

John Bowlbyโ€™s Books on Attachment

John Bowlbyโ€™s seminal work on attachment theory provides a profound understanding of how early bonding experiences shape our relationships throughout life. His books, such as Attachment and Loss, are foundational texts for anyone interested in the psychology of attachment.

Zero to Three

Zero to Three is a nonprofit organization focused on the healthy development of infants and toddlers. Their resources provide guidance on parenting, early childhood development, and fostering secure attachments in young children.

Website: www.zerotothree.org

A mom and son smile and hug after family counseling