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Strong for Life Family Therapy

Family therapy

In simple terms, a family is a group of individuals who share a sense of belonging and care for each other. Various combinations of loved ones can make up a family therapy group, such as parents/guardians and their children, siblings, grandparents, aunts and uncles, friends, and kinship caregivers. In family therapy, behaviors and relationships within the family are improved through group psychotherapy.

When to seek Family therapy

Strong for Life’s Family Psychotherapy has proven effective in resolving situations such as: Adapting to a life change (e.g., relocation) or coping with illness (e.g., cancer), Aging-related changes, dealing with grief or loss, and resolving conflict between loved ones, such as parent-child relationships or sibling relationships.

Additionally, our psychotherapists also conduct family therapy for the treatment of certain conditions affecting one family member. For example, treatment for one member of a family with anorexia, addiction or chronic illness could be improved through family therapy involving the entire family or several family members.

reasons families seek therapy

Often, it is prudent for families to seek family therapy when they are faced with one or more of the following challenges, among others:

  • Turbulent relationships among family members
  • Stress
  • Anger
  • A lack of communication
  • A traumatic experience (physical or emotional)
  • Living with a chronic or acute illness in a family member, for example multiple sclerosis, cancer, stroke, chronic pain, or an autoimmune disease
  • Grief associated with a loved one’s loss/passing
  • Relationship or divorce related concerns
  • Becoming accustomed to sudden changes, such as job termination, relocation, or imprisonment
  • Conditions affecting an individual or family’s mental health and well-being, such as depression, anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), eating disorders (e.g., anorexia), mood disorders (e.g., bipolar disorder), personality disorders (e.g., borderline personality disorder) and schizophrenia.
  • Substance use disorder.
  • Children with behavioral disorders, such as Conduct disorder, Disruptive mood dysregulation disorder (DMDD), and Oppositional defiant disorder (ODD).
  • Families with Neurodivergent members struggling with autism spectrum disorders or attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Our Approach to Family Therapy

Strong for Life integrative psychotherapy for families includes a variety of family therapy approaches tailored to each family’s specific needs. Based on your family’s needs, our therapists may, for example, draw upon a variety of therapeutic approaches, including the following:

Strong for Life Functional family therapy

Functional family therapy (FFT)

Our psychotherapists frequently use this approach to work with children with behavioral problems. This technique evaluates the family dynamics that may have contributed to the child's problematic behavior, facilitates the development of communication skills, and emphasizes the importance of positive reinforcement.

Strong for Life Strategic family therapy

Strategic family therapy

In this short-term family therapy, positive structural and behavioral changes are being made within the family. It recognizes the importance of the family in a child's life and development. Our therapists might apply this approach in families with behaviorally challenging children.

Strong for Life Structural family therapy

Structural family therapy

The purpose of this type of therapy is to examine the structure of the family's inner relationships, boundaries, and hierarchy. During therapy sessions, our therapists guide families towards discovering alternative ways to relate. Interactions within the family are emphasized as a key factor in improving family relations.

Strong for Life Systemic family therapy

Systemic family therapy

In systemic family therapy, the family's issues are considered in relation to their social context. For example, our therapist will examine how one family member functions as a partner, as a parent, and as a child. Context refers to cultural, religious, and political ideologies, as well as socio-economic position. In this approach, contextual factors contribute significantly to the development of psychological and emotional skills.

WHAT TO EXPECT FROM FAMILY THERAPY

We at Strong for Life integrative psychotherapy we understand that each family has its own unique characteristics and needs. As an experienced psychotherapist, Juanitte Pieterse provides a supportive, nonjudgmental and safe environment that facilitates open communication between all members of your family. Her objective approach facilitates family conflict resolution and the implementation of healthy behaviors to improve the health and well-being of your family. If necessary, she may schedule individual and collective meetings for members of the family. Depending on the unique circumstances of each family, sessions will vary in number and duration.

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Why choose us?

Gain Insight trough SFL Therapy

Gain Insight

With our integrative and objective approach to family therapy, each family member will gain a greater understanding of the needs, feelings, and behaviors of the other and improve family relationships.

Strong for life Psychotherapy Effective coping

Effective Coping Strategies

Throughout the process, we will provide your family with strategies for overcoming both individual and collective problems within the family. By following these strategies, family members are more likely to regulate their emotions and build a more supportive and productive family unit.

Warm and Supportive Environment

We are committed to providing our clients with a warm, supportive, and confidential environment. Our compassionate and experienced therapists will ensure that each member of your family feels safe and comfortable throughout the process.

Lasting Change

As a family, you'll benefit from the guidance of our experienced therapists in order to achieve emotional well-being, growth, and long-lasting changes. It is our firm belief that every family deserves a fulfilling family union, and we are committed to helping you achieve yours.

What our clients say:

Karin Coomer
Karin Coomer
I had a mind altering experience with Juanitte. She is so approachable and kind. You feel immediately that you can trust her with your darkest deepest feelings and emotions. After the 1st session, my anxiety started to fade, and my self worth improved. She assisted me in believing in myself again, and even loving myself. My depression is 90% gone and I received tools to cope with life's windfalls. She did what no anti depressant could do.
Renee Smith
Renee Smith
I met Juanitte in 2022 through a friend who recommended her services to me. From the first phone call to make a booking for a week long 'retreat', I found Juanitte to be very professional with a high level of compassion and empathy... and that is just what I needed. Through that week Juanitte worked with me intensively regarding my attitude, my life 'hang ups' and mental blockages and led me to a deeper understanding of life and techniques to cope with all my stress. This was not an easy process for me, but my unresolved issues were faced - and with kindness and inspiration from Juanitte I developed techniques to help me cope and work through all my baggage. Juanitte is so knowledgeable, intuitive, caring and handles all situations with integrity. I have to add that after the week we walked away as friends and I am continuously amazed by this remarkable women's passion to help people who are really suffering with internal guilt and blame. Thank you dear Juanitte for holding my hand during this journey of my life.
Dane Barnard
Dane Barnard
Juanitte is a very kind and compassionate therapist. She works with a great balance between knowing when to push you to try harder and when to give more advise. I would highly recommend her for anyone who considers starting any type of therapy or counselling
Ryan Kriedemann
Ryan Kriedemann
Juanitte is a wonderful and approachable person, gentle, kind and compassionate. With a professional approach to all she does, Juanitte is committed to every client, creating a safe space for the deepest work May your passion and desire for healing & wholeness to all people, impact many more lives