Therapists in Houston, TX
Tanja Van Dam
Licensed Professional Counselor, MA, LPC
Verified Verified
1 Endorsed
Houston, TX 77004
Everyone has moments in their lives when they do not feel equipped to handle what life has thrown at them. It is in these moments that enlisting the help of someone else, can improve your ability to cope. I have 10 years of experience working with children, adolescents, adults, and families with a diverse range of presenting problems. I am equipped to help clients cope with everyday stressors, as well as learning how to recover after a loss or trauma.
Everyone has moments in their lives when they do not feel equipped to handle what life has thrown at them. It is in these moments that enlisting the help of someone else, can improve your ability to cope. I have 10 years of experience working with children, adolescents, adults, and families with a diverse range of presenting problems. I am equipped to help clients cope with everyday stressors, as well as learning how to recover after a loss or trauma.
See more therapy options for Houston
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.