Family Involvement in Therapy

When working with adolescents, I may invite parents or caregivers to participate in portions of sessions when it is clinically appropriate and when doing so is likely to support the teen's treatment. Any parent involvement is thoughtfully considered and is guided by what is most beneficial, relevant, and emotionally safe for the adolescent. 

I also recognize that parents naturally want to understand how therapy is supporting their teen. While maintaining appropriate confidentiality, I welcome parents' questions about my therapeutic approach, as well as their observations and concerns about what they are seeing at home. At times, it may be helpful to meet with parents separately to provide education, discuss developmental or mental health concerns, and explore strategies for supporting their teen outside of therapy. These conversations are intended to strengthen the family's ability to support the adolescent while keeping the focus on the teen's individual treatment. 

For adult clients, there may be times when inviting a trusted family member or support person to attend part of a session is helpful. This might provide an opportunity for them to better understand your experiences, offer support, or participate in a collaborative conversation. In these situations, my role remains focused on your treatment. I am not providing therapy to the accompanying family member.

If involving a family member or support person could be beneficial, we will discuss together whether it aligns with your goals and feels appropriate for your care.