Marin Individual Therapy and Counseling: Family of Origin Work

Lisa Brookes Kift, MFT

Emotional and relationship health for individuals and couples.

Marin Therapy and Counseling

Individual, Couples, Marriage, Premarital, Group Psychotherapy Services

San Rafael, Marin County, California

(415) 261-7143

HOME ~ INDIVIDUAL THERAPY ~ COUPLES COUNSELING ~ PREMARITAL COUNSELING ~ GROUP THERAPY ~ PHONE THERAPY ~ THERAPY APPROACH

QUALIFICATIONS ~ BACKGROUND ~ FEES, POLICIES & FORMS ~ CONTACT AND LOCATION ~ LISA'S COLUMN FOR MOREMARIN.COM

Marin Individual Therapy and Counseling:

FAMILY OF ORIGIN WORK

What is "family of origin work?" Therapists will likely have slightly different interpretations of what it is - and how to go about doing the psychotherapy work itself. My definition of "family of origin work" in it's simplest form is, "healing from our past to be able to move forward in the present." I have found with my own clients - time and time again - that a range of emotional/mental health problems can be connected to the person's family of origin experiences with parents, primary care-givers and/or families in general. Anxiety, depression, anger, fear and recurrent relationship problems are often tied up in unresolved issues from the past. It is an area of great passion for me to help people move through their old wounds and successfully re-adjust their lens on life to one of clarity and hope.

My family of origin work in therapy involves an exploration of the past, understanding of how the past might have impacted you on an emotional level, identifying any unhelpful core beliefs you may have developed about yourself, others and the world - and changing these unhelpful core beliefs. I find that these "unhelpful core beliefs" often underly some depression, anxiety, fear, anger and relationship problems. I also teach cognitive-behavioral tools (changing your thinking to impact your feeling and behavior) to maintain these changes.

People who might benefit from this type of counseling are those who experienced a number of different situations in the past that are keeping them from living fulfilling and peaceful lives in the present. These "situations" usually occurred early in life - though can continue in various patterns straight through to adulthood.

Examples of problematic situations occurring earlier in life include:

-Childhood Trauma (physical, sexual or emotional abuse)

-Critical or harsh parentling styles in childhood

-Rejecting or dismissing parenting styles in childhood

-Living in a chaotic, fear-based environment in childhood

-Witnessing a volatile, high-conflict relationship between your parents

I am very passionate about the power of doing this kind of therapy - particularly for those who feel stuck. People who feel "stuck" usually know who they are - they've probably felt that way for a long time. Their type of "stuck" might appear different than the next person's - but at the end of the day, something is keeping them from feeling content in their own skin or in relationship to others.

Learn about some of my other Marin psychotherapy services:

Anxiety

Depression

Stress Management

Trauma

Anger Management

Personal Growth and Development

Other Resources by Lisa Brookes Kift, MFT