Free Phone Consultation

Family Consultations

What’s the purpose of family consultations?
To receive information, to increase education, to coordinate care, to collaborate on care, and to increase communication with loved ones
Who is defined as family?
Family can be defined as biological family members, significant others, friends, roommates, and other supportive individuals.
How do I inquire about this service?
Call or email to schedule a free brief phone consultation to receive information about how the consultation appointments work. If it is determined that this service is appropriate and desired, all family members participating will be asked to complete a Family Needs Assessment Survey in advance.
Family consultations appropriate for:
  • Family members who want to learn how to provide effective encouragement and support to their loved ones.
  • Clients who are transitioning in life (e.g., admitting/discharging from treatment, starting college/new job) and can benefit from extra support from their loved ones.
  • Clients who want to communicate to loved ones how to best help.
  • Family members who want to be involved in a client’s recovery process.
Not intended for individuals and/or families who:
  • Are currently involved in legal issues/disputes.
  • Are required to participate in mandated treatment by other entities (e.g., legal system, schools/universities).
  • Have current abuse within the family.
  • Are involved in custody issues.
  • Are experiencing financial disputes.
  • Have significant trust issues.
What can I expect during a family consultation (50-60 minutes)?
  • Complete a Family Needs Assessment Survey and other pertinent paperwork in advance of scheduled appointment.
  • Participate in-person or via teletherapy (all members need to have access to a smart device and internet access).
  • Identify and review 1-3 topics.
  • Receive information, resources, and possible referrals.
  • Typical duration is 1-5 sessions total depending on the nature of goals.
What are example topics discussed?
  • Psychoeducation about mental health issues/concerns
  • Support for clients
  • Support for family members
  • How to navigate recommendation for higher level of care
  • How to transition back into the home from a higher level of care
  • Identify roles in the family
  • Identify effective and ineffective strategies
  • Skills training
  • Learn effective communication strategies
  • Role play strategies
  • Resources
How is this different from family therapy?
Family consultations are short-term (1-5 sessions), focused on CURRENT issues (education, information, advocacy, and skills training) in which all participating members are considered equal. In contrast, family therapy is longer in length, addresses past issues (including unresolved conflict), addresses family dynamics, and focuses on how to relieve symptoms.
Family consultations with loved ones
These consultation sessions include the identified person for whom the consultation is centered around. All members must be willing to participate and sign paperwork acknowledging the discussion of private information.
Family consultations without loved ones
These consultation sessions do NOT include the identified person for whom the consultation is centered around for various reasons (e.g., individual does not want to participate, it is too overwhelming for the individual to be included in the consultation, individual is unable to participate for whatever reason, it is not in the individual’s best interest to participate). All attending members must be willing to participate and sign paperwork acknowledging the discussion of private information. Please note that diagnoses cannot be rendered for individuals who have not received an assessment.