Photo of Dr. Shamima Akhter, Psychologist in State College, PA
Dr. Shamima Akhter
Psychologist, PsyD, HSP
Verified Verified
State College, PA 16803  (Online Only)
You're slamming the alarm clock; it was another night of broken sleep. Feeling drained and wishing for a moment of peace and happiness. You are giving to others when you're running low and rarely have time for yourself. Pressures and stress are piling up and weighing on your shoulders. You want to reach out for help but are scared of being vulnerable. At night when you lay down to sleep, the thoughts are racing and the worries return. All that you want is understanding, support, and acceptance.
You're slamming the alarm clock; it was another night of broken sleep. Feeling drained and wishing for a moment of peace and happiness. You are giving to others when you're running low and rarely have time for yourself. Pressures and stress are piling up and weighing on your shoulders. You want to reach out for help but are scared of being vulnerable. At night when you lay down to sleep, the thoughts are racing and the worries return. All that you want is understanding, support, and acceptance.
(814) 822-5285 View (814) 822-5285

Online Therapists

Photo of Shakirah Ewell: Women And Young Adults, Licensed Professional Counselor in State College, PA
Shakirah Ewell: Women And Young Adults
Licensed Professional Counselor, MS, LPC, NCC
Verified Verified
Harrisburg, PA 17110  (Online Only)
In therapy, my goal is to meet the client where they are by individualizing treatment based on the needs of the client. No matter what your struggle is, we will work towards increasing your optimism, challenge unhelpful thoughts and improve overall well-being. I have a holistic approach believing that the mind, body and soul are connected.
In therapy, my goal is to meet the client where they are by individualizing treatment based on the needs of the client. No matter what your struggle is, we will work towards increasing your optimism, challenge unhelpful thoughts and improve overall well-being. I have a holistic approach believing that the mind, body and soul are connected.
(717) 905-4154 View (717) 905-4154

See more therapy options for State College

Family Therapy

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.