Family Systems

My approach to therapy is warm, non-judgmental, collaborative, and conversational. The theoretical orientations I generally work from include family systems, structural and symbolic experiential. Furthermore, I often incorporate additional concepts and approaches to best meet the needs of my clients. I use multiple modalities of counseling, teaching, learning, and healing and incorporate various psycho-social-educational models within a culture and gender-sensitive framework.

By using evidence-based approaches like The Gottman Method and Bowen Family Systems, I can help you create new ways of relating to one another. You’ll learn to reduce conflict, improve communication, and rebuild. You’ll reconnect. At the end of each session, my goal is for you to leave with something concrete to apply daily. It might be something new to try or think about, something to read, or a new tool to begin using. These small steps will add up to the big changes you need to repair, reb

The goal of Ego State Therapy is to facilitate communication and collaboration among internal parts of self, fostering a sense of harmony and integration within the individual. Rather than viewing internal conflicts as a battle to be won or lost, this approach emphasizes compassion, curiosity, and understanding towards all parts of the self.

My background is in marriage and family therapy and I am a systemically oriented therapist - meaning I see all people as existing in connection to the beliefs, social norms, ideas, and pressures of the people and systems around them.

Even people who have not studied Family Systems tend to be aware of the huge impact that our families have on who and how we are. Even if we come from a "Little House on the Prairie" type family, we carry ideas about ourselves and life that are not serving us now. A huge part of my work with clients is to methodically take a deep look at the developmental period of their lives and become more able to make choices rather than react.

I work with families dealing with communication challenges, attachment difficulties, issues of self esteem, school and social difficulties, anxiety and depression, grief and loss, traumatic experiences, family dynamics and changes in family structures. My job is to learn about the dynamics and about the goals you have. From there, we will together find a way that gives you the best results.

I graduated with distinction from my Master's program in the study of family systems. Where traditional psychology looks inward towards the individual, family systems says the individual cannot be known until we know what systems they belong to. These systems start with the family, but also expand into community, state, country, and all manner of cultural systems. Exploring through a systems lens can often help an individual understand their identity in a stronger way.

General systems theory emphasizes that a group, family, or even individual cannot be wholly explained by looking at just one part or one angle of influence. We are not simply a combination of our circumstances, the same way that it is limiting to consider a single perspective. Yams is trained in considering the intersection of identities, communities, and overall society on the issues that arise in therapy and helping you navigate that web.

Families can be complicated and having insight into your family group dynamic can promote overall health. When growing up the relationships inside your family can become impacted by unhealthy behaviors. With this understanding in mind, using family systems therapy, you can learn to resolve issues in the context of the family unit.

My family systems therapy background allows me to do deeper work with clients. As I get to know my clients, I ask about your family background and seek to understand the role you played in your family growing up. Sometimes there are survival skills, behaviors, and patterns you needed as a child that no longer serve you in your adult relationships -- traits like perfectionism, hypervigilence, defensiveness, and low self-confidence.

My work focuses on building impactful relationships. Family Systems theory is a lens through which I view treatment. I have taught university graduate-level courses centered on the application of family systems theory. I received specialized training as a marriage and family therapist, received additional training in postgraduate school, presented at national conferences on family systems dynamics, and have over a decade of experience working with families in clinical settings.

In my work with couples, I've learned that many of them get stuck in the same conflict patterns. After studying and learning about family systems, I help couples identify those negative interaction cycles and where they stem from. This creates a pathway to creating a new interaction cycle that contributes to greater intimacy and improved communication.

When dysfunction and chaos characterize the atmosphere in the home everyone suffers. Children feel it is their fault the family is out of control and often try to meet their needs on their own, while other family members are preoccupied. Creating a safe space for our family and learning tools to set boundaries gives family members time to reduce their stress and tension. Therapy offers an opportunity to relearn and unlearn ways of relating that no longer serve us.

I use a style that focuses on the things and relationships in our lives that bring meaning. Here we look at what brings us joy and what brings us distress. This helps us see what we have used to create meaning and purpose in our lives.

Claudia was trained at the Ackerman Institute for the Family with a specialization in family systems theory. Claudia's approach to family therapy begins with a look at intergenerational patterns, and includes her expertise in trauma recovery.

Individuals do not exist in isolation and are intricately connected within the complex web of family dynamics. I believe that understanding these intricate relationships and patterns is crucial for promoting healing and awareness of how your family of origin, family dynamics and upbringing, have influenced you today.

Family systems therapy is a great way to improve how your family interacts and supports each other. By looking at how everyone fits together, it helps spot patterns that might be causing tension or conflict. This approach not only helps with individual issues but also boosts overall family communication and connection. In the end, it can lead to a happier, more harmonious family life.

I've worked with families for the past 11 years and have experience with foster/adoptive, racial minority and LGBTQ families, adult children and families experiencing major life transitions.

Completed additional training in family systems.

Family systems therapy views disordered eating as part of a larger network of family, social, and cultural influences. Instead of focusing only on the individual, it explores how relationships, communication patterns, and environmental factors contribute to eating behaviors. Therapy helps identify unhelpful dynamics, improve support systems, and create healthier interactions. By addressing the whole system, individuals can develop more balanced relationships with food, their bodies, and others.