Photo of Sana Goldberg, Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner in Vancouver, WA
Sana Goldberg
Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner, MSN, APRN
Verified Verified
Vancouver, WA 98662
I practice with warmth and curiosity, accepting others where they are in the present and respecting the many experiences they arrive to it with. I am devoted to helping those I work with develop a new understanding of their patterns, desires, inner conflicts, and pain carried in the body from overwhelming life conditions and experiences. I meet others where they are, embrace their stories, and offer a therapeutic relationship that is nurturing, collaborative, and growth oriented.
I practice with warmth and curiosity, accepting others where they are in the present and respecting the many experiences they arrive to it with. I am devoted to helping those I work with develop a new understanding of their patterns, desires, inner conflicts, and pain carried in the body from overwhelming life conditions and experiences. I meet others where they are, embrace their stories, and offer a therapeutic relationship that is nurturing, collaborative, and growth oriented.
(503) 386-0729 View (503) 386-0729


Family Therapy Psychiatrists

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.