Discover how starting family therapy can support your own journey toward a happier, more fulfilling life.
1 therapist available in Iowa City
I believe healing begins with feeling seen, heard, and understood, and I strive to create a safe space where you can bring your wh...
About
I believe healing begins with feeling seen, heard, and understood, and I strive to create a safe space where you can bring your whole self without judgment.
Melissa Jenkins is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor with over 20 years of experience. Melissa specializes in assisting individuals of all ages who have a range of concerns, including anxiety, depression, panic disorders, relationship issues, a history of trauma, life transition issues, as well as mood and personality disorders. She has previous experience in addiction treatment, crisis intervention, and couples therapy.
Melissa earned a Master's in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Wayne State College. Melissa utilizes a variety of clinical approaches that are targeted to client needs, including cognitive behavioral therapy, solutions-focused therapy, and mindfulness-based methods.
Melissa's goal is to provide a safe, compassionate space where you can explore your thoughts and emotions without judgment. She is here to walk alongside you with care and understanding. Reaching out for help is a brave first step, and Melissa would be honored to support you on your journey toward healing and growth.
Education and training
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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 Iowa City, IA 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 Iowa City, IA 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.
For some families, the negativity of life’s lows can start to outweigh the positivity of life’s highs. This might mean shouting matches nearly at the dinner table, ruined family vacations, and overall strain on your family’s relationships. We want you to know that support is available for families who are struggling — working with a family therapist or counselor can help.
Even the closest families go through difficult times. Working with a family therapist or counselor can help you find ways to navigate difficulties and grow closer. You might learn communication strategies and conflict resolution skills that can help your family navigate tricky territory together.
That’s why reaching out to one of our family therapists and counselors in Iowa City, IA, can help you. Our mental health professionals can offer you the expertise and third-party perspective you need to fix the problems your family is facing. Contact us today to get started.
Your family might have been dealing with a problem for years, for so long that you’ve just become used to it. You might be dealing with a recent trauma or situation and need help navigating it. Family therapists and counselors can help families deal with a wide range of problems.
Family therapists and counselors can support families dealing with:
Family systems often involve a complicated web of individual thoughts, emotions, and behaviors that affect each family member. This can make working through conflict difficult, as every family member has their own motivations, needs, and desires that must be considered.
Family therapists and counselors can help solve problems in a way that helps everyone feel heard. To identify the specific issues and problems plaguing your family, your therapist will take the time to talk to each person to get the most holistic understanding of the situation and develop a personalized treatment plan with actionable goals.
Going through this process can help foster a newfound closeness in your family and build long-term skills that you can take far beyond a specific conflict. These skills might include:
Consulting a professional from Thriveworks Counseling in Iowa City, IA, can help your family work through issues and grow closer together. Our mental health professionals can provide an experienced and neutral viewpoint to facilitate a calm family discussion without judgment or reprisal.
We accept many different insurance plans and offer affordable self-pay rates for our services. We also understand that coordinating sessions can be difficult for busy families. We offer daytime, evening, and weekend sessions to help you find time for care. You can meet with a provider in person or online, depending on your preferences.
Call our office today at Thriveworks Counseling in Iowa City, IA, or use our convenient online scheduling tool to set up your first appointment. We can’t wait to hear from you soon.
Includes individual, couples, child/ teen, & family therapy
Includes reducing symptoms with medication & management
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