Substance use disorder is a family disease

When a family member is experiencing a mental health or substance use disorder, it can affect more than just the person in need of recovery. A unique set of challenges come from trying to help a loved one with a mental health or substance use disorder. Family members and loved ones often put their own needs aside, while putting much of their focus on the individual(s) with said struggles. Getting caught up in the behaviors of others - always worrying - can be taxing, confusing, chaotic. We want the lives of our loved ones to be different, we want our lives to be different, and nothing we have done has brought about change. Caregivers and loved ones can greatly benefit from taking steps to prioritize their own health. Taking the time to take care for ourselves can also have substantial benefits on the family as a whole. By supporting ourselves, we are supporting the whole family.

Intensive Family Services

Intensive Family Services are a more concentrated form of family therapy. Meeting 2-3 times a week, services generally last from 3-6 months. My Intensive Family Services are designed to help support family members and loved ones of those struggling with substance use and/or mental health disorders. It is intended to be helpful to family members at any point of their loved one’s recovery process, whether about to go to treatment, have gone through treatment, or are treatment averse. With a focus on your own wellness, I utilize psychoeducation and psychotherapy to assist you in reaching a level of stabilization, as you learn to navigate around the struggles of your loved ones. Intensive Family Services can support families as a whole, helping you understand what to do, what to say, and how to best help without enabling.

My Approach

I recognize the value in supporting family members as their loved ones struggle with and recover from substance use and mental health disorders. Incorporating a no blame, no shame, collaborative approach I work with family members to adjust their approach to their family’s struggles.  With a focus on shifting perspectives of your loved ones behaviors and the ways you react to them, you will learn to support your loved one in their journey while holding healthy boundaries that work for you. This customized service is designed specifically with and for you, to bring change to the entire family system. These systems-level changes can lead to improved health and well-being for the entire family as well as positive outcomes for the individual(s) struggling with their substance use and mental health.

Contact me to learn more about intensive services and how they may help you.