Family Therapy
Child Middleman for Parent’s Communication
Q: My parents got divorced a few months ago, and our family life has been a mess ever since. When they first separated, my mom started communicating parenting logistics to my dad through me. I didn’t mind at first because it meant they wouldn’t fight, but then my dad started doing the same. It grew…
Unwelcome In-law Opinions
Q: I am a stay at home mom and my eight-year-old son, Sammy, has some behavioral issues. He gets upset very easily and lashes out unpredictably. Through a lot of work, and therapy, he has gotten much better. My wife and I have learned that when he has a meltdown he is too upset to…
Who Will take over the family business?
Q: My two siblings and I all work for our father in our family’s business. Lately my dad has been talking more about retirement and stepping back. The problem is, he built this business from the ground up and has always been heavily involved with the day to day decisions. He won’t seem to let…
Homework Woes!
Q: My child spends so much time on homework and has so little to show for it. He seems to take forever to get rolling with it, gets derailed with anything and everything, whines and complains about doing it, and sometimes even when he does his homework thoroughly and well, he might not turn it…
Internal Family Systems’ Six-Step Process
IFS founder Dr. Richard Schwartz believes that we all have several parts living within us that fulfill both healthy and unhealthy roles. Life events or trauma, however, can force us out of those healthy roles into extreme roles. The goal of IFS therapy is to help clients to achieve balance within their internal system and…
Can This Relationship Be Saved?
Q: These past few years have taken a toll on my marriage. Being home with my family has been really stressful. When I tried to talk to my husband about how this extra stress was affecting our relationship, he was frustrated with me. I decided not to bring it up anymore. Now, I feel like…
The Bedwetting Secret
Q: My son is ten years old and, thanks to COVID, has never had an overnight or a sleepover. We haven’t even visited family in over three years! But we’re all vaccinated and excited to see my parents in Wisconsin over spring break. The problem is that our son is still wetting the bed. He’s…
Grief During The Holidays
Q: The holiday season has always been a grand affair at my house, with family reunion meals, festive decorations, and endless eggnog. My family always took it very seriously, especially my dad, who dressed up as Santa and partied the hardest. Unfortunately, my father passed away in February with COVID. Now, I’m dreading the holiday…
Back to School Angst
Q: I currently have three adolescents at home who have been cooped up for months. They’ve been fighting more than usual because they’ve been on top of each other ALL THE TIME! Oddly, my eldest, who is leaving for college very soon, has been particularly difficult lately. This is out of character for her since…









