Family Therapy

Family relationships break down, and harmony quickly disappears in the face of persistent conflict, broken trust, and difficult life decisions. When you can’t solve your family’s challenges, Tamara Elassal, LPC, NCC, and the psychiatry and mental health therapists at Mind Meadow can help. They have years of experience and offer compassionate support and expert guidance, helping families restore unity. Family therapy at Mind Meadow includes everyone between the ages of 5 and 65. Call the office in Fairfax, Virginia, or use online booking to request an in-person or telemedicine appointment.

What is family therapy?

Family therapy focuses on challenges that affect the entire family while honoring and supporting each person’s needs. The caring Mind Meadow therapists welcome everyone who shares a space with your family, meaning everyone in your household can join in family therapy, regardless of whether they’re related.

When should we seek family therapy?

Families often turn to Mind Meadow therapists when they can’t solve ongoing problems or the family’s conflicts spiral out of control. You may want to consider therapy when family members:

• Stop communicating
• Engage in negative or destructive communication
• Criticize and blame one another
• Engage in emotional or physical abuse
• Isolate themselves or ignore other family members
• Don’t let individuals pursue their dreams and goals

The problems affecting one person have a significant impact on the entire family. Family therapy also restores balance when one person struggles with a mental health or substance use disorder. 

What problems improve with family therapy?

In addition to improving the issues mentioned above, the caring Mind Meadow therapists often help families overcome challenges such as:

• Parent-child conflict
• Sibling conflict
• Traumatic experiences
• Behavioral problems
• Trouble at school
• Becoming a step-family
• Divorce or separation
• Major life transitions

Your therapist may urge one family member to begin individual therapy if they have a mental health disorder.

What is marital therapy? 

Marital (marriage) therapy supports partners as they deal with the obstacles breaking down their relationship. During therapy, couples find help with challenges such as:

• Anger management
• Conflict resolution
• Different parenting styles
• Lack of honest, open communication
• Negative or hurtful communication
• Loss of intimacy and sexual problems
• Infidelity and loss of trust
• Depression and other mental health challenges
• Emotional and physical abuse

Couples also seek marriage therapy when they disagree on major decisions, such as taking a new job, relocating, or having children.

What should I expect during family therapy?

After meeting with your family and learning about your challenges, your Mind Meadow therapist helps to define your therapy goals. Then, they recommend the therapeutic approach that best meets your family’s needs.

No matter what type of therapy they use, your Mind Meadow therapist focuses on finding positive, practical solutions your family can use in daily life.

Call the office today or use the online booking feature to schedule an in-person or telemedicine family therapy appointment.