Bridges Counselling - Christian Marriage Relationship Counsellors Parramatta Sydney

Stepfamily Counselling

Some thoughts by Magdalena Liem

There is a rapid increase in the divorce rate then ever before, which has produced a growing number of family forms, where children are living under, such as:

  • Single parent families
  • Gay/lesbian families
  • Adoptive families
  • Foster families
  • Stepfamilies

In the past, stepfamilies, or blended families, have been seen as second rate compared to nuclear families. Nowadays, this view has shifted and there is a huge increase of stepfamilies seeking answers on how to more effectively deal with the challenges of this more complex family system compared with the nuclear families, and how to move towards successful family integration.

When people divorce and remarry, they often have unrealistic expectations and then are quickly disillusioned, feeling guilty and self accusatory when their new stepfamily does not integrate and settle down. Relationships in stepfamilies are not developed overnight, and integrating the different expectations and ways of doing things often takes a long time, it may take up to 3 to 4 years, to form a solid alliance and work as a team to meet the stepfamily challenges.

Even when individuals from both families know one another for some time, living together is still different because there are more intimate interactions, the need for space, attention, sharing time, etc. Each family member will influence other member’s process in the stepfamily’s life. Many unfamiliar and unanticipated challenges come on the surface soon after stepfamily is formed. Each family member have to go through many losses and changes, such as children are no longer living full-time with their parents, parents and children may have to adjust a new house, neighbours, school, food, rules, etc. As stepfamilies struggle to adjust in the new family system, many decide to seek professional help.

Some of the issues that will be dealt with in Counselling are:

  • Understanding common issues involve in stepfamilies
  • Dealing with losses and changes
  • Strengthen the couple relationship
  • Setting clearer boundaries
  • Working through stepfamilies differences and conflicts
  • Learning how to handle and negotiate the differences and conflicts
  • Exploring unrealistic expectations and beliefs
  • Balancing the power struggle
  • Effective parenting of children in stepfamilies
  • Helping the children settling into a stepfamily
  • Learning the important elements of successful stepfamilies

 

Ring Bridges Counselling if you wish to discuss how we may be able to help you.

Bridges Counselling - Hills Parramatta

Enquiries: 0415 752 544

Ring us and you will be recommended a choice of counsellors qualified and experienced for your situation.

Email: info@BridgesCounselling.com.au

Bridges Counselling Parramatta is a team of professional counsellors and psychologists, specialising in marriage, family and individual counselling.