Family Counselling
Family life can feel difficult when conversations repeatedly end in an argument, one person goes quiet or everyone is stretched by a change they are still adjusting to. Family counselling gives the people involved a place to talk about what is happening and consider how they would like things to work at home.
Each family member may see the same situation differently. A caregiver might be worried about a teenager spending more time alone, while the teenager may feel that every question turns into a lecture. Making room for both experiences can help a family see what keeps a difficult conversation going and where there is room for a different response.
Book an appointment or call 403-801-4839 for help choosing a counsellor.
When family counselling may help
Families often reach out when disagreements about routines, rules or responsibilities start to crowd out the time they enjoy together. You may be trying to handle conflict between siblings, make decisions across households after a separation or figure out where everyone fits in a blended family. A move, illness, loss or change in caregiving can also leave a family with new pressures and fewer familiar ways to manage them.
Family counselling can also be useful when one person’s difficulties are affecting the whole household. For example, a child who struggles at school may need support of their own, while the people at home may want help with how they talk about school, respond to distress and decide what each person can take on.
How we work with families
Your counsellor listens to the people involved and helps you look at the patterns that arise when things get difficult. You might walk through a recent disagreement, notice when people stop listening to each other and practise a different way to raise a concern or ask for a pause. The counsellor also asks about what already works so you can build on moments when people feel heard and able to cooperate.
The format depends on your goals and the situation. Some families meet together; in other cases it may make sense to start with caregivers or a smaller group. A practical goal could be agreeing on one routine across households, talking about a difficult change without escalating the conversation, or helping a child express what they need in a way the adults can understand.
What to expect at your first appointment
The first conversation is a chance to describe what prompted you to reach out, who is affected and what you hope will be different. Your counsellor can help you choose a starting point and discuss who should attend, what to do if some family members are unsure about coming, and how confidentiality works when several people are involved.
If you are concerned about speaking openly in front of someone, contact the practice privately first to discuss which appointment format may be appropriate. You can begin with the concern that brought you here and a recent example of how it affects everyday life.
Meet the counsellors who work with families
Maria Schmid
Registered Psychologist
Maria is a registered psychologist who works with families experiencing conflict, communication difficulties and major changes. She helps family members consider how their experiences and responses shape the way they relate to one another, with particular attention to attachment and connection.
Danielle Smith
Registered Psychologist
Dr. Smith is a registered psychologist trained in systemic family therapy. She works with families to understand how a concern affects each person and to identify changes in their interactions that would make everyday life together easier.
Tricia Thomas
Registered Psychologist
Tricia is a registered psychologist who provides family counselling alongside her work with children and adolescents. She helps family members describe what is difficult from their own perspectives and consider ways to communicate more openly during conflict.
Jason Stein
Registered Social Worker
Jason is a registered social worker with experience working with youth, adults and families affected by complex conflict. He helps families identify patterns that make disagreements harder to resolve and choose changes that household members can work on together.