Photo of Peter P Bernhardt in 94106, CA
Peter P Bernhardt
MFT
Verified Verified
San Francisco, CA 94106
Are your relationships burdened by loss of trust, constant fighting, or a feeling of disconnection? Are dealing with the fallout of an affair? Are you struggling with anger or communication issues? Do you you want relief from suffering, stress or isolation? My mindfulness approach, based on over 30 years experience, will help you get immediate relief through new perspectives and skills. By learning to see your problematic relationship patterns and negative cycles, you will also discover new pathways and new ways of relating. As you feel better, you will take steps to strengthen your new discoveries and abilities.
Are your relationships burdened by loss of trust, constant fighting, or a feeling of disconnection? Are dealing with the fallout of an affair? Are you struggling with anger or communication issues? Do you you want relief from suffering, stress or isolation? My mindfulness approach, based on over 30 years experience, will help you get immediate relief through new perspectives and skills. By learning to see your problematic relationship patterns and negative cycles, you will also discover new pathways and new ways of relating. As you feel better, you will take steps to strengthen your new discoveries and abilities.
(510) 497-0537 View (510) 497-0537

See more therapy options for 94106

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.