Photo of Thomas S. Li, Psychologist in L4B, ON
Thomas S. Li
Psychologist, PhD, CPsych
Verified Verified
1 Endorsed
Richmond Hill, ON L4B  (Online Only)
Waitlist for new clients
I also act as an expert witness in mental health, family, civil, and criminal courts.
In my clinical work, I conduct focused, short-term psychotherapy that are customized for each individual client's needs. Client-therapist collaboration is emphasized and a supportive therapeutic environment is provided. I favour the use of approaches which help clients to understand, control and integrate their own thoughts, feelings and behaviours. In my forensic work, I adopt a combined approach in which both clinical and actuarial methods are used for achieving accurate and thorough evaluation. Every attempt is made to integrate scientific findings with professional judgement in addressing psycho-legal issues.
I also act as an expert witness in mental health, family, civil, and criminal courts.
In my clinical work, I conduct focused, short-term psychotherapy that are customized for each individual client's needs. Client-therapist collaboration is emphasized and a supportive therapeutic environment is provided. I favour the use of approaches which help clients to understand, control and integrate their own thoughts, feelings and behaviours. In my forensic work, I adopt a combined approach in which both clinical and actuarial methods are used for achieving accurate and thorough evaluation. Every attempt is made to integrate scientific findings with professional judgement in addressing psycho-legal issues.
(855) 979-9133 View (855) 979-9133

See more therapy options for L4B

Family Therapy Counsellors

What do family therapists do?

A family therapist facilitates the process of understanding and improving how a family functions. The therapist will help family members develop empathy for one another. They’ll seek to understand existing patterns, misunderstandings, and conflicts that arise, in order to help the family arrive at a realistic, unified understanding and develop the coping skills they need to build stronger relationships.

How long does therapy for families take to work?

Therapy manifests differently in every family; a common time frame is 12 weekly sessions, but some families may see improvement after just a few weeks. Families should discuss their goals with the therapist at the beginning of the process and periodically revisit those goals to assess their progress together.

How can you encourage a family member to attend family therapy?

You can encourage family members to attend therapy by expressing with both love and concern the challenges you see and explaining how a therapist could help the family navigate those challenges together. An outside perspective can help everyone feel heard, get on the same page, and develop new skills. If family members are still hesitant, it may be helpful to emphasize that family therapy is short-term—it won’t last forever.

Is therapy for families effective?

Family therapy can significantly improve family dynamics and relationships. Research suggests that family therapy can help individuals understand their role in the family, communicate and solve problems together, reduce conflict and draw boundaries when necessary, and develop coping skills for stressors, major life changes, and mental or physical illnesses within the family.