- Online by secure video from home, anywhere in CA or ID
- English or Spanish, whichever feels most natural
- Free 20-minute consult before you commit to anything
What brings families to me
- Talking without fighting
- A loved one's addiction
- Recovering from trauma
- Big changes at home
- Feeling closer again
- A child's difficult behavior
What family therapy is
In family therapy, the client is the family itself. I am not looking for the person who caused the problem. I am looking at how you talk to each other, who steps in when things heat up, who goes quiet, and what happens next. Once those patterns are out in the open, they are much easier to change.
The goal is simple. I want each of you to feel heard, and I want the family to be able to handle hard moments together instead of splitting apart.
When families reach out
Some families call after years of the same arguments. Others call after one event turned everything upside down. Here are some of the situations I help with:
- Conversations that turn into fights or end in silence.
- A child or teen whose behavior is pulling the whole household off balance.
- Divorce, a move, or the death of someone you love.
- A family member in recovery from addiction, and everyone around them.
- The aftermath of a traumatic experience.
No two families are alike, so our work follows what your family actually needs.
How I work with families
I use structural family therapy, an approach that looks at how a family is organized. That means roles, boundaries, alliances and the unspoken rules everyone follows. I used to co-direct a foster care and adoption agency, and I am the adoptive father of two children myself, so I know from both sides how much families carry.
What we do in session
- Practice runs. We rehearse a tough conversation right there in session, with me coaching, so you can try a new way of responding before you need it at home.
- Learning about emotions. I explain how strong feelings take over and how each person can calm down enough to keep talking.
- Spotting the cycle. Together we name the loops your family gets stuck in and pick one small change to try each week.
What we work toward
Every family sets its own goals, but they often include:
- More trust and warmth between family members.
- Bouncing back faster after a stressful day or a disagreement.
- Making decisions and solving problems together.
- More respect for each other, even when you disagree.
Sessions online or in my office
Most of my families meet with me by secure video, from home, anywhere in California or Idaho. That can make it much easier to get everyone in the same place at the same time. If your family would rather sit in a room together with me, I also see families at my office on Maclay Ave in San Fernando.
When someone is not ready
It is normal for at least one person to be wary. Some have good reasons, because past talks about these topics went badly. I work hard to keep sessions calm and fair to everyone. If it helps, we can begin with one or two people and bring others in once they feel more comfortable.
Take the first step as a family. Whether you are in the middle of a crisis or you just want home to feel better, start with a free consultation. We will talk about what is going on, how sessions work, and whether I am the right fit for your family.
Family Therapy FAQ’s
Who is family therapy for?
Any group of people who see themselves as a family. That might be parents and children, a blended family, grandparents raising grandchildren, adult siblings, or a foster or adoptive family.
Families go through crises, sudden changes and losses. Sometimes old habits get handed down from one generation to the next without anyone meaning to, and they show up as hurtful ways of talking, addiction or self-harm.
The longer a pattern goes on, the more normal it feels. Therapy gives you a chance to step back and choose something different.
What happens in family therapy sessions?
We usually meet once a week, by secure video or in person at my office. I use structural family therapy, which looks at how your family is set up and how that shapes the way you treat each other. Sometimes we focus on the family as a whole, and sometimes on a concern about one member.
In session we practice new ways of talking through role plays, work on speaking up clearly and respectfully, and learn how to handle strong emotions. We set goals together at the start and check on them as we go.
What if someone in the family does not want to come?
That happens a lot, and it usually makes sense. If earlier conversations turned into bigger fights, staying away can feel safer.
One option is for that person to meet with me on their own first, by phone or in a short session. Getting to know me and hearing how sessions work often makes it easier to join the rest of the family later.
Can we do family therapy online?
Yes. Most families I work with meet by secure video, anywhere in California or Idaho, usually gathered around one screen at home. In-person sessions are also available at my office in San Fernando.
Getting Started is Easy
Book Your Free Consult
Pick a time that works for you and your family. The first conversation is a free consultation.
Talk for 20 Minutes
Meet William by secure video or phone, talk through what is going on, and see whether it feels like a good fit.
Start Sessions Online
Begin weekly sessions from home, in English or Spanish. In-person sessions are available if you prefer.
Other Ways I Can Help
Book Your Free 20-Minute Consultation
A no-cost, no-obligation video or phone call with William. Share a little about what brings you in, ask anything, and decide together whether to start. En español o en inglés.
If this is an emergency, call 911 or go to your nearest hospital. You can also call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, 24 hours a day.