Families therapy for support through hard seasons
I work with families who want more understanding, steadier communication, and less feeling stuck in the same pattern. In our work, I pay attention to how each person is being affected and what’s happening between them.
What people bring me
Families often come in when the same arguments keep happening, when a child or teen is struggling, or when stress at home is building. Sometimes there’s a big transition, and sometimes the problem is more gradual, like everyone drifting apart or getting on each other’s nerves. Parents may feel worn down and unsure how to help. Children and teens may feel unheard, blamed, or caught in the middle.
- We keep having the same fight over and over.
- My child and I just keep missing each other.
- Everyone in our house is tense.
- I don’t know how to support my family right now.
How I work with it
I work with families by slowing down the interaction enough to notice what happens before things escalate. That may include listening to parents, children, and teens separately or together, depending on what the concern calls for. I pay attention to communication, roles, and the stress that each person may be carrying on their own. The work is practical, relational, and grounded in the day-to-day life of the family.
- Internal Family Systems (IFS)
- IFS can help each family member notice the parts of themselves that react quickly, shut down, or try to take over. That can make it easier to hear one another without getting stuck in blame.
- Play Therapy
- When younger children are part of the family work, play can help show what they’re trying to communicate. I use that to help the family understand the child’s experience more clearly.
- Trauma-Informed Care
- I stay mindful of how stress or past experiences can shape the whole family’s reactions. That helps me keep the conversation steady and less overwhelming.
What the first sessions look like
The first sessions focus on what’s happening between family members and what each person is bringing into the room. We decide together how to structure the work, and I don’t expect anyone to have a perfect explanation before starting.
I look at the family pattern, not just one person’s reaction.
Questions people ask
Can families come in when everyone is fighting all the time?
Yes, that’s a common reason to seek family support. I’d want to understand the pattern and what each person is experiencing inside it.
Do you only work with the child, or can the whole family be involved?
Both are possible, depending on what would help most. Sometimes I work with one child or teen, and sometimes I bring in parents or the whole family.
What if one family member doesn’t want to come?
That can still be workable. We can start with the people who are willing and talk about what the family is hoping for overall.
Is family therapy just for big crises?
No, families also come in when things feel stuck, tense, or disconnected. The work can focus on communication, stress, and the daily pattern of living together.
The practical details
For fees, insurance and current availability, see fees and insurance on Child & Teen Therapist in Yorba Linda, CA's website.
About Child & Teen Therapist in Yorba Linda, CA
I work with children, teens, and families who are dealing with anxiety, trauma, depression, or family transitions. I see people in person in Yorba Linda and online across California.
Talk it through with Lillian
Tell us what has been going on and we will take it from there.