OUR SERVICES

Assessment

You will find that our comprehensive assessment process is a valuable and informative experience that offers new perspectives on your couple, first family, stepfamily and family of origin dynamics. We’ll identify strengths and successes of each family member and each family within your stepfamily system. We’ll evaluate your concerns and present an action plan designed to meet your goals. Your plan may include one or more services, depending on the needs of your family.

Assessment process timelines vary depending on your family’s unique situation, the number of family members involved and the complexity of your extended family. The first appointment is scheduled for one hour in order to offer you the opportunity to meet us, get a feel for the services and begin the assessment process.  

Relationship Skills 

Research conducted by professionals in the fields of marriage and family therapy, psychology and clinical social work has identified the concepts and skills proven to strengthen couple and family relationships.  Though it can take time to consistently implement these skills, the results over time will be extremely rewarding. Current and future generations will benefit as parents and extended family members model new and satisfying ways of relating to one another.

Divorce Prevention

Research informs us that couples typically wait seven years from the time they realize they have problems to seek professional help. Without professional interventions, couples’ relationships may become more conflicted, or partners may become more and more estranged from one another. Children also suffer when parents’ relationships suffer long-term impasses. 

At the point couples call and schedule that first appointment, their frame of mind can range from determined to fix the relationship to deeply discouraged and doubtful over their future together. We tell our clients that the decision to continue or end the relationship is theirs, and that we have a responsibility to honor their decision. However, our starting point is to offer hope, perspective, insight, knowledge and skills that give them the best chance of creating the marriage they dream of. Some couples are surprised to discover they can establish what was lost, and take their relationship to new level altogether.  

Divorce Resolution

In the event that you and your partner ultimately decide to end your relationship, our goal is to facilitate a well-considered decision, perspective on the issues that resulted in divorce, and create a healthier co-parenting this relationship that will smooth the divorce process and provide children with two caring, cooperative, flexible parents who want the best for one another.

There are many different divorce experiences, like any other life experience divorce can be a positive growth experience. Though we cannot control other parties involved in the process, we can control our thoughts, actions and reactions. Reacting can intensify the drama and the pain; well-considered responses can reduce the impact of other parties on the process.

The quality of the divorce process and the impact of the process on the co-parenting relationship is part of your legacy to your children. Our coaching, counseling and educational services will empower you as you cope with the guilt, the grief and the anger that accpomanies loss. It is our goal to help our clients learn from these experiences and understand all the variables that caused the divorce. A sense of peace and resolution over the process and the outcome sets the stage for the next phase in the life of your family. In the event that you begin dating, you will be better prepared to “consciously” explore relationships and make an informed decision.

Re-Partnering Couple Counseling

When re-marriage results in a new stepfamily, many adults are overwhelmed by the typical and atypical problems they encounter. We can help you avoid the common pitfalls of stepfamily development. This in turn reduces stress and decreases the intensity of reactions and feelings that occur during such a monumental process of adjustment.

In the event that you are dating and/or are considering re-commitment, we can help. Adults who have “loved and lost”, or as we say “loved and learned”, are more thoughtful about future commitments, and for good reason. We also want you to succeed in a future, committed relationship. That may require introspection, reflection, thoughtful dialogue with a dating partner and careful observation. We can provide individual and couple coaching and consultation, help you objectively explore relationship pros and cons, help you wrestle with your fears, strengthen specific communication processes, and reach a decision about the future.

Stepfamily Dissolution

During the life of a stepfamily, some step-in-laws may develop strong bonds of attachment. When a couple decides to divorce, it is imperative that careful consideration be given to the relationships that have grown during the course of the marriage. Sometimes adults underestimate the degree of attachment. When the marriage ends, the relationships among adults, children and step kin who have bonded with one another are dissolved. Continuing step-in relationships can be beneficial to everyone involved, and limit some of the losses of stepfamily dissolution. Sustaining step-in relationships does require effort and commitment, as well as discussion, planning and coordination. Stepfamily Success offers clients opportunities to sustain the best that stepfamily relationships offer for the long-term, and decrease the negative impact of divorce. 

Research-Based Coaching & Education             

Neuroscience has proven that our brains are "wired to connect" , and that quality relationships based on compassion and mutual understanding improve physical and emotional health. Research on couple relationships has demonstrated that friendship and creative conflict resolution, combined with very specific communication tools, increase marital success. Stepfamily Success, Inc. professionals offer clients the benefit of years of clinical, coaching and teaching experience, in conjunction with evidenced based information and tools that will strengthen your relationships, increase your well-being and promote relational healing for each and every member of your family.