Top Sterling VA Family Counselor

How to Make the Most Out of Family Counseling

If you and your immediate family members are having problems, you may consider talking to a top Sterling VA family counselor. Family therapy can help you and your loved ones resolve your conflicts and live better lives. However, in order for family counseling to be effective, you have to do your part. Here are some tips to make the most out of family counseling.

Choose the right counselor. There are many family counselors and not all of them may be the right fit for you and your family members. That’s why you should only see a counselor who you feel completely comfortable with. Otherwise, you may be afraid to share anything and not get the help you need. If you do not believe a counselor is the right fit, do not hesitate to go to someone else.
Mentally prepare yourself. Talking to your family members about difficult issues in therapy is not easy. Before each session, you should take some time to mentally prepare yourself. Whether that is exercising or meditating, self-prep can help you start out each session with a clear mind. It may also be wise to write down any questions you have for your next session.

Be a good listener. While you will have plenty of time to talk during family counseling, you will also have to do a lot of listening. When it is a family member’s turn to talk, carefully listen to what he or she has to say. Do not tune out the person if he or she says something that makes you feel uncomfortable. You will get more out of your sessions with a top Sterling family counselor this way.
Write in a journal afterward. After each family counseling session, it may be helpful to write about what you got out of it. Jot down any thoughts or feelings you may have. For example, if something your husband said upset you, you should write that down. Doing this will help you absorb everything and better prepare you for the next session.

Remain calm and respectful. As mentioned above, you may have to talk about tough issues during family counseling sessions. Your family members may say things that upset you. However, it is important to keep your cool and show respect. If you lose your temper and yell, it will make things more stressful. Take a deep breath and remember why you went to family counseling in the first place. Then, calmly express why you feel upset or angry.

Be patient. It is very unlikely that you will resolve your family issues after one session. While that would be great, it is just not realistic. Therefore, try not to get upset if you have not made any progress after a couple of sessions. Be patient and trust the process. A top Sterling family counselor is there to help you every step of the way.

A top Sterling VA family counselor community members rely on from Lindsey Hoskins & Associates knows that problems can manifest in a family dynamic. As a result, tension between family members can grow, making a home environment frustrating and challenging. Whether it is small irritations that start to build, deep feelings of resentment, or outright explosive arguments, a therapist at Lindsey Hoskins & Associates can help. We understand that sometimes our families cause intense emotions to bubble to the surface. And for the sake of the relationship, these issues must be handled with support from a compassionate therapist.

If you are thinking about having your family go to therapy, then chances are you probably needed counseling a long time ago. There is nothing to be ashamed about by getting help from a professional who is trained to deal with family dynamics.

Common Concerns in Families
In the best case scenario, our family members are people we can depend on for support, who can give us strength when there is a setback, and for who we feel loved and cared for. But realistically, for many people, this is not the case. A person’s family may be quite far from ideal, and need help navigating the waters of stress, misunderstandings, disconnection, unmet needs, anger, and resentment. It is our families that set the foundation for our expectations of others, how we communicate, perspective on life, coping mechanisms, and our ability to receive and give love.

As a top Sterling family counselor in Virginia may remind you, you should not be embarrassed in seeking help from a therapist for family struggles. We know how to guide you through difficult conversations, the most common of them including the following:

Grief
Substance/alcohol abuse
Mental health concerns
Divorce
Blended families
Chronic illness
Financial trouble
Behavior issues in children

Distressed Family Dynamics
Regardless of the source, a family dynamic that is in distress can severely interfere with the overall function and wellness of each family member. Family members who live together and have problems coexisting without disagreements may find relief in having a safe space to discuss this with a trained therapist.

We know that for some family members, the idea of going to therapy is so out of their comfort zone that they refuse to attend from the start. What you can do is schedule yourself a therapy session, and maybe other family members will slowly start to open to up the idea. We are always happy to answer questions and address your worries, so your family can feel more comfortable coming in for a session.

Call Lindsey Hoskins & Associates Today
Don’t wait another day feeling alone and upset over issues within your family. There are dedicated, empathetic, and patient therapists at our clinic who are ready to offer support. Call Lindsey Hoskins & Associates today for more information about our top family counselors in Sterling, VA!