Blended Families

All families are blended in one way or another.  A relationship in and of itself is two different people coming together; whether it be mother-daughter, father-son, friends, or romantic partners.  A marriage is a commitment to blend two families. Families with different values, interests, and belief systems.

Whether your struggle is with your significant other, his or her children, or both, being honest in your communication is key. A blended family is like throwing a bunch of puzzle pieces together and hoping they make a whole picture.

What Makes Blended Families Unique:

• They affect children and adults differently
• Step parent/child conflict
• Introduction of alternate sibling relationships, such as step and half siblings
• There are people within the family you didn't choose to be part of your life
• They look different for every family, and often times, each individual's viewpoint differs as well

Blended families often come with a lot of "baggage" that affects everyone in different ways. It is easy to get consumed by our own experience, that we often times forget that there are many other factors and relationships at play. Therapy comes in a lot of different shapes and sizes, just like blended families.

Some positive therapy outcomes are:

• Strategies to develop and maintain boundaries
• A fostered sense of cohesion and communication among family members
• Promotes problem-solving through an understanding of family patterns and dynamics
• Builds empathy and understanding.
• Reduces family conflict

Being part of a blended family throws a lot at you, which can feel overwhelming and leave you not knowing where to start. When you are ready to take the first step, I am happy to provide help in a way that works for you and your family.