Psychotherapy
Individual growth and development is a life long process. Children entering school must learn to take initiative to meet the standards that may conflict sharply from those they are used to. As the child progresses, there is an increased demand to learn new skills or risk a sense of inferiority.
The adolescent must achieve a sense of identity in occupations, sex roles and relationships with peers, and through clarity of their values. Young adulthood is marked by the development of intimate relationships, the establishment of a career, and the choice of life partners versus feeling disconnected and isolated. In middle adulthood, each adult must find some way to satisfy and support the next generation.
This may include the raising of a family, establishing a secure and stable home, and enlargement of the extended family. Later adulthood requires acceptance of what one's life has been, enjoyment of retirement, and as grandparents to nurture the next generation. Each stage is marked by a crises - that is, pressures resulting from your internal needs and the external demands of society, which require resolution and a new direction.
Individuals
At A Child & Family Therapy Center of Bayside we are particularly mindful of the crises and conflicts that may face the individual through each step of the life cycle. Mistrust of oneself and others, shame and self-doubt, guilt, feelings of inferiority, role confusion, social isolation, and feelings of despair may hinder the development of a secure sense of self, confidence in social relationships, school, and career achievements.
Common symptoms are anxiety, depression, anger and frustration, and the inability to communicate ones needs clearly and effectively. We aim, in the context of a relaxed, supportive relationship, to help you identify your goals and then formulate a plan to achieve them.
Couples Counseling
Becoming a couple is usually exciting, sparked by both passion and idealization of the other. In cases where the individual has moved away from the family unit, usually there is a greater reliance on oneself and acceptance of emotional and financial responsibility for oneself. When this hasn't taken place the transition is often more difficult.
Gradually as the couple's life develops differences between the ideal and reality become clearer. As a result, conflicts may develop because the support that once so readily available begins to fade.
It is important at these times to put a halt to destructive interactions that only worsen and complicate the problem. Fault-finding helps no one. What is needed is increased understanding of the needs and feelings of the other based on clear expressions of what these are and the sincere desire to listen and respond in a caring way.
The process needs to be reciprocal. One reinforces the other. The aim is to restore the deep appreciation of the other - what is most valued, cherished, and respected. New ways can be found to allow each other to grow and to be themselves.
