Therapy for Families
IN-PERSON & ONLINE IN MONTCLAIR, NJ
Because family stories can still be written.
If you understand, and you show that you understand, you can love, and the situation will change.
— Thích Nhất Hạnh
Families don’t stop shaping us just because we’re adults with our own cell phone plan and a 401(k).
The ways we learned to relate can still sneak into our tone, or the unasked-for opinions about our relationships, life choices, our bodies. Family roles and cultural norms around respect or hierarchy can also make it hard to be our individual selves while still seeing one another as complex, imperfect people.
Sometimes that shows up as:
Estranged & No Contact
Looks like: not speaking, avoiding holidays, or debating no contact after too much conflict.
Feels like: sadness, anger, guilt, relief, confusion.
Boundary Issues
Looks like: one person pushing past limits, or old roles making it hard to be seen as an adult.
Feels like: dismissed, drained, resentful, lack of agency.
Grief and Loss
Looks like: unspoken pain, family life that no longer feels the same.
Feels like: sadness, avoidance, disconnection.
Conflict & Rivalry
Looks like: siblings competing for attention, tension in blended families, or conflicts without real repair.
Feels like: dismissed, confused, doubtful, angry.
Cultural & Identity Differences
Looks like: clashing values; identities & lifestyles that aren’t understood & respected.
Feels like: unseen, shame, rejection, pressure.
Trauma
Looks like: Painful experiences shaping how family members respond, through tension, silence, or distance.
Feels like: anxious, guarded, overwhelmed, disconnected.
What we’ll work on
Family Therapy can help
Find new ways to listen and be heard.
Set and respect boundaries without guilt.
Relate to each other as adults, not roles.
Talk through differences without shutting down or blowing up.
Decide what kind of connection, or distance, feels healthiest for you.
FAQS
Common questions about family therapy
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In family therapy, it isn’t always helpful to have everyone in the room at once. While we’ll often meet together, there will also be times I meet with you one-on-one or in smaller groups. This approach helps me understand each person’s experience more fully and carefully navigate the dynamics when the whole family comes back together.
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It depends. Some families need only a few sessions for a specific issue, while others stay longer to work through deeper challenges.
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During family therapy, I may meet with each person individually or in smaller groups to better understand everyone’s perspective, but the family as a whole is considered the “client.”
Individual therapy is different in that it’s a separate relationship with its own focus and confidentiality. If someone in the family would like ongoing individual support, I can help connect them with another therapist so both spaces stay clear and effective.
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You can request a free 15-minute consult to talk briefly about what’s been happening and what you’re looking for. It’s a chance to see if we’re a good fit before scheduling ongoing sessions.
If you already know you’d like to begin, you can book a session directly through the client portal. You’ll be able to choose your time, complete intake forms, and get started right away.