Family Counselling for Parents and Adult Children
Expressions Counselling
Rebuilding Connection
Whether you’re the parent or parents of an adult child or you’re an adult child reading this, there’s no doubt this specific dynamic can be a struggle for some families. When there are relationship ruptures, reparations to this relationship are possible with family counselling for adult children and parents in Coquitlam BC.
What are Signs My Family/My Parent or Parents/My Adult Child Needs Counselling?
For parents of adult children, some reasons worth seeking family counselling include one or several of the following:
- Feeling confused about why their adult child is being “sensitive”
- Setting boundaries
- Talking about difficult topics
- Repairing the neglect or harm that was done in the past
- Understanding their adult child better
- Work towards resuming a relationship when the relationship has been estranged
For adult children, they may want to seek family counselling either individually or with their parent/parents for these reasons:
- Wanting a relationship with the parents but it being very difficult
- Inability to feel safe with the parent
- Setting boundaries
- Talking about difficult topics
- Wanting validation and repair about the neglect or harm that was done in the past
- Understanding their parents better
- Gain safety in order to consider resuming a relationship with a parent
How Does Family Counselling for Parents and Adult Children Help?
With the guidance and help from a professional counsellor, adult children and parents can both receive the tools needed to improve communication, restore connection, and gain understanding of each other’s emotional needs. Sessions between parents and adult children may involve one or more of the following strategies:
- Processing grief related to irreparable parent-child wounds or unmet needs
- Exploring emotions such as anger, guilt, shame, hurt, and resentment
- Receiving and offering validation
- Discussing spoken and unspoken expectations
- Identifying unhealthy family dynamics and enmeshment patterns
- Establishing healthy boundaries
- Improving communication skills
- Building trust, emotional safety, and connection
- Developing greater empathy and understanding for one another’s experiences
- Working toward reconciliation following periods of conflict or estrangement
What Can Be Done to Help Repair This Dynamic?
The first step toward repairing a family relationship is often having a conversation. While these discussions can feel uncomfortable, emotional safety, trust, and open communication must be established before meaningful change can occur. Family Systems Therapy views difficulties not as the result of one individual being the problem, but as patterns that develop within relationships and family dynamics over time.
Family systems therapists help family members identify recurring interaction patterns, improve communication, clarify boundaries, and better understand the roles each person may have adopted within the family. For example, one family member may take on the role of caretaker, peacemaker, achiever, or scapegoat, and these roles can influence how family members relate to one another. Therapy helps individuals recognize these patterns and understand how they may be contributing to ongoing conflict, misunderstandings, or emotional distress.
Through guided conversations, family members can gain insight into one another’s experiences, learn healthier ways of expressing emotions and needs, and develop more supportive and respectful relationships. Rather than focusing solely on changing one person’s behaviour, Family Systems Therapy aims to create change within the family system as a whole, allowing all members to interact in healthier and more effective ways.
What If I Don't Want to Repair This Dynamic?
Most of the time, the main reasons for seeking this counselling are unsuccessful attempts at repairing a relationship. This is something that most families, if they’re willing to work together as a unit, can address and collaborate on while being guided by a professional in order to successfully restore balance and deepen their connection.
Whatever the conflict may be or however long it’s taken place, know there is professional help here at Expressions Counselling. There is no limit on the kind of families we serve. We encourage everyone of diverse backgrounds to reach out to us, from the traditional parent-adult child structure to LGBTQ+ groups, and more. Sessions can take place in person or online.
Would You Like To Book Your Appointment?
To schedule your appointment with Expressions Counselling, you may:
Call (778) 229-0029
Email info@expressionscounselling.com