Spring Cleaning

Family Counseling

Our problems with others rarely exist in isolation. Many times, we come to realize that the interaction within our family unit itself is what is not working well. Maybe there are unresolved misunderstandings from the past? A lack of sufficient boundaries in family relationships? Or cycles of conflict that keep recurring? There are also generational differences and alliances that develop within a family that can result in hurt feelings and long-held resentments.

A competent family counselor can help family members begin to sort out and “own” their piece of responsibility for the family dysfunction. Our counselors at Trinity have experience working with families to assist them in identifying their cycles of dysfunction. We can offer an objective perspective about the overarching patterns of interaction at the center of the problems. While commitment to the process is a necessary feature of successful family counseling, often times simply gathering in the same room—at the same time—to talk about their challenges with an objective third party can in and of itself—be healing.

Spring Cleaning

4/5/2015

by Tonya Ratliff, LPC, NCC, ACS

Tonya Ratliff is the Owner and Director of Counseling Services for Trinity Family Counseling Center. In addition to her individual, couple, and family clients, Tonya is also the lead facilitator of the Walk With Me® Grief Support Group, an aftercare program sponsored by Wm. Sullivan and Son Funeral Home in Utica, MI.

Folks have different types of reactions to the arrival of spring.

For some, it is entirely about the weather; warmer temperatures invite the first short sleeves and sandals. For others, it is simply about more daylight; more time for activities outdoors, a sense that the days actually are longer. For many, there is a burst of renewed energy for purging and cleaning; whether it is a thorough cleaning of the house, the yard, the garage, or the car. For almost everyone though, spring represents a time of renewal, a time for taking stock, a time to reassess priorities, goals, and plans.

Why not add taking a fresh look at your relationships too? With whom are you spending your time? A friend once said to me, “Life is too short to spend time with people you don’t enjoy.” So true. Think about those relationships that mean the most to you, and then consider whether you are really attending to, and engaging with, those you care most about it a manner that conveys that care? Or, could you be doing better? Are there other relationships that sap your energy? How might you best manage the changes needed in those interactions as well?

Spring time is the perfect time to commit yourself anew to the people that mean the most to you. You could begin today. Tell someone that you care about… that you do. And then, be sure and pay attention to what happens next!