Family Problems

Codependency is a pattern of behaviors and beliefs learned by children of dysfunctional families while they are growing up. These behaviors and beliefs can be helpful to the family unit, ... Read More

The dreams we have for our families and children are full of deep expectations, some stated but many unspoken. This is true for families that have biological children and also for families ... Read More

Fighting verbally is an integral part of any relationship. Put at least two people together in the same place for a long period of time, and they’ll fight eventually. If someone tells ... Read More

Dramatic activities are powerful tools when used in a family therapy setting. One such tool is called psychodrama. An example of one type of psychodrama is family sculpting. The first step ... Read More

In this article I want to focus on one particular aspect of recovering from an affair: punishing the offending partner. I am frequently asked, “How long is this pain going to last?!” ... Read More

The final alcoholic family role I’d like to discuss in the context of recovery is the lost child. This is the child who stays under the radar, invisible, quietly decamping to his/her ... Read More

In part I of this series, Family Ties: Support for Family Members with Alcoholism, I discussed what happens when members of alcoholic families, who are alcoholic themselves, get sober. ... Read More

Family harmony is a dream we all share. Wouldn’t it be great if we could function, day to day, like our favorite television families? Sure, life would come along with a one-two punch, ... Read More