Photo of Karen Larkin Packwood, Counselor in Arizona
Karen Larkin Packwood
Counselor, MA, NCC, LMHC, CCTP, FNCC
Verified Verified
2 Endorsed
Goodyear, AZ 85395  (Online Only)
I focus on treating the whole person, strengthening the family system, meeting individual needs and discovering hope for the future.
I work with individuals, couples & families in both private and TeleMental (Video/Internet Counseling); helping individuals/families overcome and cope with grief/loss due to death, job loss or divorce. I help individuals process anxiety, depression, trauma, sexual abuse, eating and learning disorders by educating through Functional Nutrition Counseling, self harming behaviors, anger management, OCD, and ADD/ADHD. I specialize in helping individuals, couples and families to create healthy, functional relationships and lives though a variety of therapies. I am trained in EMDR to process trauma with children, adolescents and adults
I focus on treating the whole person, strengthening the family system, meeting individual needs and discovering hope for the future.
I work with individuals, couples & families in both private and TeleMental (Video/Internet Counseling); helping individuals/families overcome and cope with grief/loss due to death, job loss or divorce. I help individuals process anxiety, depression, trauma, sexual abuse, eating and learning disorders by educating through Functional Nutrition Counseling, self harming behaviors, anger management, OCD, and ADD/ADHD. I specialize in helping individuals, couples and families to create healthy, functional relationships and lives though a variety of therapies. I am trained in EMDR to process trauma with children, adolescents and adults
(509) 245-2648 View (509) 245-2648
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.