Discover how starting family therapy can support your own journey toward a happier, more fulfilling life.
4 therapists available in Birmingham
With life transitions of moving several states away and changing career paths, I have the ability to connect with those who are ma...
About
With life transitions of moving several states away and changing career paths, I have the ability to connect with those who are making similar life changes.
Jerusha McClendon is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) who has worked with many people experiencing mental health and addiction personally or in their family. Jerusha has 8 years of experience in the mental health field. She completed her Master of Social Work (MSW) at Ohio State University.
Jerusha believes there is a need to identify and understand where the seeds of doubt and fear come from, as well as how to connect with the seeds of hope and purpose in the present and the future. Her job is to facilitate the conversation and allow clients to gain insight into their condition and develop an action plan to change their lives.
Jerusha’s superpowers include listening empathetically, relating easily to others, and critical thinking. She believes that all people have purpose in life, and she wants to explore that purpose with clients. Additionally, she strives to create a safe place in therapy so vulnerability can be examined and gains made. Therapy is a change process. Join Jerusha in this change process so that you can be a changemaker in your life and spread that change to others in your inner circle.
Education and training
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My goal is to help you quiet anxiety and self-doubt, reconnect with your strengths, and feel more at ease and comfortable in your ...
My goal is to help you quiet anxiety and self-doubt, reconnect with your strengths, and feel more at ease and comfortable in your own skin.
I am a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker with over 21 years of experience supporting adults through life transitions, emotional challenges, and personal growth. My goal is to help clients feel more grounded, confident, and in control of their well-being. I provide a compassionate, collaborative space where you can safely explore your thoughts, heal from past experiences, and rediscover your sense of balance and purpose.
I earned my Master’s in Social Work from Western Kentucky University. My approach integrates cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness-based practices, and solution-focused strategies to help clients develop insight, emotional regulation, and effective coping skills that support meaningful change.
I believe therapy is a journey of self-discovery and empowerment. Together, we’ll identify your strengths, challenge limiting beliefs, and build tools for lasting growth. My goal is to create a supportive environment that helps you move toward greater peace, clarity, and confidence in your everyday life.
If you are seeking to overcome the burden of anxiety, depression, or negative self-talk, I am equipped with the knowledge, resourc...
If you are seeking to overcome the burden of anxiety, depression, or negative self-talk, I am equipped with the knowledge, resources, and compassion to meet you where you are to help you reach your goals.
Catherine K. Thompson is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker with 5 years of experience working with a variety of populations. Her specialties include adults with concerns such as anxiety, depression, relationship issues, grief, low self-esteem, and childhood trauma. She also specializes in assisting women navigating the various challenges of motherhood, along with people of color.
Catherine earned her Master’s in Social Work from the University of Southern Mississippi. She believes that therapy is not a “one-size fits all” approach, and she utilizes cognitive behavioral therapy, humanistic therapy, motivational Interviewing, and psychodynamic therapy as most applicable to meet the client’s needs.
For some, the idea of therapy is without stigma and openly welcomed. For others, it’s one of the hardest decisions they will make. It is easy to remain in familiarity. Catherine is extending an olive branch in hopes that you will make the hard decision now to achieve the peace you desire in the future.
Being able to provide support and validation to the LGBTQIA+ community through their many challenges and obstacles has been extrem...
Being able to provide support and validation to the LGBTQIA+ community through their many challenges and obstacles has been extremely rewarding for me and has reinforced my drive to be an affirming therapist.
Savannah Donahoe is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) with a background focused on trauma, crisis response, LGBTQIA+ issues, gender-affirming care, PTSD, depression and anxiety, self-esteem, gender identity-related issues, sexual identity,-related issues, grief, and loss. Savannah is passionate about providing support to folks of all ages through the unique challenges that they face. She values the importance of diversity, self-identity, and multicultural competency.
Savannah completed her Master's degree in Counseling at the University of Montevallo. She has experience in trauma and crisis response, as well as gender-affirming care. Savannah utilizes multiple treatment approaches including mindfulness, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TF-CBT), solution-focused therapy (SFT), person-centered therapy (PCT), and gender-affirming therapy.
Savannah is confident that she would be able to support you through the different challenges you may be facing. Seeking counseling can be a very difficult step, but if you feel ready, schedule an appointment with Savannah to start working towards a better quality of life.
You deserve dedicated time with a mental health professional — it can be life-changing.
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Family therapy helps families resolve conflicts and strengthen their relationships. It is led by qualified mental health professionals like psychologists, licensed professional counselors (LPCs), and licensed clinical social workers (LCSWs) who have extensive training in family dynamics and group communication.
Thriveworks family therapists in Birmingham, AL usually begin by asking what everyone’s goals are for family counseling. Family members may need help with very specific issues or with general relationship functioning. But there are three main purposes in family counseling: to educate, to counsel, and to strengthen. Thriveworks also offers online family therapy and in-person services, so you may all meet in an office together or join a video call from your home depending on everyone’s location and availability.
The most effective form of Family therapy will often depend on the family itself, as there are many types of family therapy for therapists to use as they see fit in order to best meet the needs of their clients. However, one of the most commonly used types of family therapy is structural family therapy (SFT). SFT focuses specifically on family dynamics and interactions, looking at how they shape the relationships and structure present in the family. It can be effectively used to treat a variety of concerns.
This answer often looks different to each family that starts family therapy. However, some signs that your family might need to consider family counseling include frequent fights or misunderstandings, constant tension, experiencing loss, behavioral issues, marital issues, divorce, and blended family issues, among others.
In family therapy, therapists will often start by asking questions and assessing individual and family dynamics. From there, they may employ therapeutic techniques such as structured family therapy, CBT, strategic family therapy, and more depending on the present concerns and conflicts. From there, a therapist will work to open lines of communication between family members and facilitate emotional healing and growth.
Family therapy can be incredibly successful, with some studies reporting a success rate of almost 90% for improving participants’ emotional and mental health, and around 66% for improving their physical health.
Thriveworks therapists in Birmingham, AL offer both online family therapy and in-person family therapy. We encourage you to choose the option that works best for you.
Family therapy is usually short term and solution-focused, with most families accomplishing their goals in 12 sessions or fewer. However, it can also last for longer if the probles at hand are more complex — and that’s okay, too.
Family relationships are unique, complicated, and multifaceted — just like each family member. When several individuals are joined by blood or marriage, you can’t always control whether they’re all compatible. What you can control, however, is the way you interact and face challenges together.
Your family may not be perfect but that doesn’t mean your relationships have to be dysfunctional. It’s possible to exist together without conflict and fully support one another through difficult times. If your family needs help reconnecting with one another or overcoming a major challenge, family counseling at Thriveworks in Birmingham, AL can help. Reach out today.
Family therapy can help you resolve major conflicts or work through a painful experience. But family counseling is not only for families in crisis or those on the brink of disaster. Working with a therapist can help your family form effective problem-solving strategies and develop strong communication skills. Whether you’re facing acute problems or chronic discord, family therapy can help your family system work through some of its toughest issues.
There is no wrong reason to pursue family therapy but some of the most common reasons families seek counseling include the following:
When you decide to work with a family therapist, you’ll begin the process of resolving acute issues and addressing your family members’ immediate concerns. Through therapy sessions, you may learn how to communicate effectively, solve problems together, set healthy boundaries, and maintain healthy relationships long term.
During the course of family therapy sessions, each family member may receive individualized attention that benefits the group as a whole. One-on-one sessions can help your therapist uncover underlying issues and pinpoint the source of conflict or distress, helping you all better understand the challenges you are facing.
The benefits of family therapy extend far beyond repairing or improving your relationships. Families often find that they are successful in other areas of their life as a result of the lessons learned during therapy sessions. For example, it’s common to develop skills relating to better communication, teamwork, active listening, and problem-solving.
If your family is ready to take the next steps in reconnecting and understanding each other, the mental health professionals at Thriveworks in Birmingham, AL are ready to help. We are accepting new clients and can often accommodate same-week appointments.
Does your family have a hectic schedule or limited free time together? Thriveworks offers weekend and evening appointments to make it easier to schedule group therapy sessions. You can also connect with a family therapist online, with appointments offered by video. Your family’s time is valuable, so you can rest assured that your appointments will start on time, and we maintain a flexible cancellation policy for the times when things unexpectedly change.
There is nothing quite like family and the unconditional ties that bind you. When you and your family are ready to grow and thrive together, let a family therapist at Thriveworks in Birmingham, AL guide you.
Includes individual, couples, child/ teen, & family therapy
Includes reducing symptoms with medication & management
Shown in CT
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