Family Counseling Chevy Chase MD

If you are in need of family counseling in Chevy Chase, MD, you may want to contact Lindsey Hoskins & Associates. Our licensed family therapists may help you and your family address certain issues and form a stronger bond with one another. We offer evening and weekend appointments to accommodate everyone’s schedule.

Signs Your Family May Need Family Counseling

Not all families are happy all the time. In fact, many families face numerous hardships that affect their ability to function normally. That is when seeking MD family counseling can become critical. Here are signs your family may require family therapy:

The family has had a traumatic experience: A traumatic experience, such as a death, can severely damage a family. If your family is having trouble coping with a traumatic event, family therapy may be a necessary step.
Family members have trouble communicating: Does it seem like your family barely talks to each other or gets into arguments whenever there is communication? If so, there may be an underlying issue that needs to be addressed with the help of a family therapist.
The children’s behavior has changed: If the children’s behavior has drastically changed at home or school, it may be a cause for concern. For example, if one of your children is all of a sudden sneaking out of the house and getting into trouble, it may be time to seek family counseling.
Family members have substance abuse issues: Whether it is drugs or alcohol, substance abuse issues can tear a family apart. If one or more of your family members are abusing drugs or alcohol, it may be important to seek counseling as soon as possible. A family therapist may help your family members figure out the root cause of their addiction and get on the road to recovery.
Family members threaten each other with violence: If there have been any threats of violence between family members, it is definitely time to look into Chevy Chase family counseling. Threats of violence are serious matters and need intervention before anyone gets hurt.

What Family Counseling is Not

When you are considering family counseling in Chevy Chase, MD, you may run into various misconceptions about what the sessions are and are not. To ensure you are guided by the right information, it is important to understand what is not involved in family counseling.

Family counseling is not:

Only for couples who are having a difficult time
Ineffective when some family members choose not to attend
Only for parents who have children with behavioral problems
An excuse to blame others

Family counseling in Chevy Chase, MD can help to identify the root problems of a situation. Rather than blaming any one person, the therapist and those involved, will talk about the issue and find practical, effective solutions. Family counseling educates family members, and helps a majority of those who participate.

Some situations, such as a divorce, can cause significant disturbances amongst family members. Family counseling in Chevy Chase, MD, or anywhere for that matter, cannot make a situation completely go away. What it can do is help all those involved to cope better with the situation.

Family therapy is not a one size fits all type of counseling. What will work for one person, or family, might not work for another. A good family counsellor will know this and be ready to tailor the sessions to each client’s needs.

Family Therapy Is Not Only Suited To Treating Emotional Problems

It is true that Chevy Chase, MD family counseling can help with a broad range of emotional and mental problems. That being said, it can also assist with:

Financial problems
Infidelity
The death or illness of a family member
Determining a child custody arrangement
Care of a special needs family member
Divorce or separation
Difficulties in school
Family conflict

There are a number of advantages and disadvantages of family counseling sessions in Chevy Chase, MD. These sessions can teach you that regardless of what the issue is, if you understand that the problem is likely bigger than what you can handle, these sessions may be the solution. After all, sometimes managing challenges on your own, is not effective, albeit possible.

Family counselling in Chevy Chase, MD offers a safe, open environment in which everyone is encouraged to partake. A licensed counsellor is there to help you at any point, and also will offer clients the self confidence needed to say what they want to say. There is no judgement or bias. Your counselor has a duty to keep everything confidential, so you don’t have to worry about any sensitive information being shared. Your counselor will be your confidant, professional friend, and someone you can trust for advice and guidance.

If you feel that you cannot talk with a family member on your own, why not consider family counseling in Chevy Chase, MD? This may be the right atmosphere needed to bring things out in the open and resolve any issues that are hindering the family from growing.

What to Expect During Your First Family Counseling Session

If you feel nervous about your first family counseling session, you are not alone. Many people feel unsure about family counseling in Chevy Chase at first. However, if you know what to expect, the first session might go smoother. In the very beginning, your family therapist may speak to all your family members together and get an idea of how you all interact with one another. She may ask each family member their point of view of the problems the family is facing. During counseling, the family therapist may also spend a little time with each family member individually and ask them questions.

During Maryland family counseling, we can talk about the challenges that are currently impacting your daily life. Receiving treatment from us can provide you with an experienced professional you can trust, and a comfortable space to explore the issues you may be facing. When considering your options, we know that you will have a number of questions. Lindsey Hoskins & Associates has provided you with answers to some of your most commonly asked questions:

What is clinical psychology?

A clinical psychologist works with people to diagnose and treat potential disorders that patients may be suffering. This often occurs when a clinical psychologist works closely with individuals to identify problems patients may be experiencing. This can occur through a number of forums, including observation, conversation, and testing. Once a psychologist is able to identify the emotional, behavioral, and/or mental issues you may be suffering, they can work with you to otline a plan of treatment.

What types of mental illness can a clinical psychologist treat?

A clinical psychologist can treat patients with a vast array of mental illnesses. While some needs may be more situational, others may require treatment over the course of a longer period of time. A clinical psychologist will work with patients who suffer from complex mental illness that may include:

Depression
Anxiety Disorders
ADHD
Borderline Personality Disorder
Bipolar Disorder
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
Trauma
Attachment
+More

How long will I require treatment from a clinical psychologist?

A number of people often ask how long treatment from a clinical psychologist will last. Chances are you are looking to see results as quickly as possible. The reality is, with a skilled psychologist, positive outcomes are often associated with the amount of work that a patient puts into Chevy Chase family counseling. Essentially, you get out of therapy what you put into it. Treatment times can vary, while some may only require treatment for a short period of time, others, may require help for longer periods.

What should I do if my current mental health provider is not helping me?

If your current mental health provider is not helping you or doesn’t feel like a good fit, it’s important that you let your therapist know that there may be a problem. In some cases, you may be able to rectify the issue. If you feel as though you are stuck in therapy, with no improvement, your psychologist may be able to provide you with a different approach. In some cases, you make the decision to move on and find another provider. If this is the case for you, it’s important that you are diligent in finding an experienced and qualified clinical psychologist.

If you want to find out more information about Chevy Chase family counseling in Maryland, you can call Lindsey Hoskins & Associates.

Addiction and Family Counseling

One of the most common reasons why families seek out family counseling in Chevy Chase, Maryland is because of substance abuse disorders. When it comes to addiction, not only does the person who struggles with the addiction benefit from individual therapy, but it should be recognized that the entire family may need help in healing from the scars of the addict’s disorder.

Addiction is defined as an incurable mental health disorder that causes the person to abuse alcohol and drugs compulsively in spite of the repeated negative impact and consequences and their genuine desire to stop using the substance. And as a therapist who provides family counseling in Chevy Chase, MD, addiction is prevalent.

According to national statistics, about 10 percent of people will develop some kind of substance abuse disorder at some point in their lives. And while almost 50 percent of us have a loved one or close friend who has a substance abuse disorder, only about 25 percent of those who struggle will seek help.

Alcohol and drug addictions cause changes in the brain chemistry, making the brain release more neurotransmitters (dopamine and serotonin) than it should. This results in a rewiring of a brain’s reward and pleasure center. This leads to the person’s judgment to become impaired and changes to their behavior because the brain is associating the release of the pleasurable neurotransmitters with the taking of the alcohol and drugs.

A Chevy Chase, MD family counseling therapist knows that a substance abuse disorder can cause the following in an addict’s life:

Cause damage to the addict’s personal relationships
Cause health or medical issues, including heart and liver damage
Cause financial difficulties, housing issues, and excessive debt
Cause issues with work or school

Addictions and Families

An addict’s relationship with their family can be severely impacted by their disorder. It can destroy marriages and create child custody issues. This is where family counseling in Chevy Chase, MD can help the entire family recover and is a key part of the recovery process.

Chevy Chase, MD family counseling can provide a safe place for family members to share how the addict’s addiction has affected them. It can help rebuild the damage the addiction has done to relationships and help rebuild trust again. Many addicts who are in the throes of their addiction not only neglect their own health, but they also neglect the wellbeing of their children, spouse, parents, and other loved ones who depend on them.

Let a Family Therapist Help

If you have a loved one who is struggling with addiction and recovery, family counseling Chevy Chase, MD families recommend can help. Call Lindsey Hoskins & Associates today to schedule a confidential consultation.