Family Therapy Chicago Archives
Amanda Ann Gregory, LCPC, EMDR Certified The Scapegoat Aliases: “The Problem,” “The Bad One,” “The Crazy One” The scapegoat is the person in the family who is obviously struggling. They might express unhealthy behaviors, such as participation in illegal activities or acting out in the classroom or at home. Family members might label them as “unstable” or a “rebel.” The scapegoat often receives extra attention within the family because they are seen as the one with the…
Amanda Ann Gregory, LCPC, EMDR Certified Regardless of if your family is biological or chosen, you have a role in your family. Your role may be healthy, unhealthy, or perhaps a combination of both. There are many factors that contribute to which role(s) you adopt and which one(s) you do not. It’s important to assess and change any dysfunctional roles in order to support your emotional health and improve your family relationships. Ask yourself, do I embody…
By: Danielle Bertini, LPC In Part one of this blog, I discussed the topic of enmeshment within family systems, including what it is and signs for noticing it is occurring. As discussed, growing up in an enmeshed family might mean that you now have replicated enmeshment and codependency in other relationships in your life. In part two of this blog we will discuss four components of reversing enmeshment and becoming a healthier, more authentic version of yourself. …
By: Danielle Bertini, LPC In Part one of this blog, I discussed the topic of enmeshment within family systems, including what it is and signs for noticing it is occurring. As discussed, growing up in an enmeshed family might mean that you now have replicated enmeshment and codependency in other relationships in your life. In part two of this blog we will discuss four components of reversing enmeshment and becoming a healthier, more authentic version of yourself. …
By Hannah Hopper The National Alliance on Mental Health highlights that many children struggle with depression in their teenage years, but it’s often undetected by parents. Teenage depression can look different than adults struggling with depression, and this blog gives several ways that you can help your child cope. 1) Pay attention to the warning signs Teens go through a lot of different stages, and this can make it harder to pinpoint if your child is feeling…
By: Danielle Bertini Being close with your family is not an inherently negative thing. For me, coming from a large Italian family meant that I was constantly around family, sharing stories, food, and details about my life. So, what does it mean to be too close? Enmeshment within family systems describes a lack of boundaries in which roles and expectations are confused, parents are overly reliant on their children for support, and children are not allowed to…
By: Danielle Bertini, LPC Stepping into a new family role brings a mix of hope, responsibility, and adjustment. Becoming a stepparent often opens the door to meaningful relationships and shared experiences, especially for adults who have never parented before. This season also introduces emotional layers that take time to understand. Daily routines change, expectations grow, and family dynamics expand in ways that feel unfamiliar at first. Many blended families quickly settle into a routine. Others face moments…
By: Danielle Bertini, LPC It’s no secret that the teenage years are difficult, especially in this day and age. Witnessing your teenager go through hardships and not knowing how to help them can cause you to feel helpless and scared. My aim here is to help parents of teenagers struggling with anxiety better understand as well as learn ways to help. So, what is going on with teenagers? During adolescence, massive biological and psychological maturation floods them…
By: Danielle Bertini, LPC How many of us have heard, and probably lived by, “work hard, play hard?” For years this had and has been the ideal quote to live by for young, working professionals. However, it seems like nowadays the “play” part of the phrase is nowhere to be found. Modern culture has created the pressure of succeed-or-you’re-nothing. People are increasingly connecting their identity and their internal value to their work ethic and professional achievements. The…
Amanda Ann Gregory, LCPC, EMDR Certified There are many emotional reasons why children struggle to fall asleep. They might feel excited, worried, bored, or distracted, which can make it difficult to wind down. Try these tips to help a child to fall asleep: Meet Comfort Needs What does the child need to feel safe, comfortable, and relaxed at night? You can identify these needs by asking the child, or you can experiment by providing these needs and…
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