Photo of Alisha Datoo, Clinical Social Work/Therapist in T2R, AB
Alisha Datoo
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, MSW, RSW, CDWF
Verified Verified
2 Endorsed
Calgary, AB T2R
I am a fellow human being on a journey of learning, growing and healing. I have been supporting beautiful, messy and imperfect people through the ups and downs of life for over a decade. My goal is to provide you with an experience of feeling seen, heard and connected to a mental health professional who can provide a safe non-judgmental space. I feel that we are all whole (even if we feel broken) and it is through this safe therapeutic relationship we can open up universes of possibilities like making sense of your experiences together, connecting with yourself and others with self-compassion, and learning research-based techniques.
I am a fellow human being on a journey of learning, growing and healing. I have been supporting beautiful, messy and imperfect people through the ups and downs of life for over a decade. My goal is to provide you with an experience of feeling seen, heard and connected to a mental health professional who can provide a safe non-judgmental space. I feel that we are all whole (even if we feel broken) and it is through this safe therapeutic relationship we can open up universes of possibilities like making sense of your experiences together, connecting with yourself and others with self-compassion, and learning research-based techniques.
(587) 400-0464 View (587) 400-0464

See more therapy options for T2R

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.