Family Therapy in Toronto

The term co-parenting describes a relationship in which two parents are no longer romantically involved, but assume joint responsibility for parenting the child. Often co-parenting occurs following a separation, divorce , or breakup of a partnership in which children are involved.

When co-parenting, both parents choose to put aside personal differences in order to support their child’s development.

Co-parenting often provides the following benefits: 

• Stability 
• Limiting a child from feeling like they need to be a parent to themselves 
• Providing a framework to teach children how to have healthy relationships 
• Teaching conflict resolution and problem solving skills 

However, co-parenting can be an extremely difficult process as it is greatly influenced by the interactions between each parent. Co-parenting requires empathy, patience, and communication in order to be successful.

If you are thinking of engaging in a co-parenting relationship or are having difficulty managing co-parenting, seek professional family therapy services, consider contacting us to see how we can help! 

Codependency is characterized by a dysfunctional and often one-sided relationship, in which one partner relies on the other for meeting all of their emotional needs. It is an emotional condition that impacts a person’s ability to have a healthy relationship. Codependency is often rooted in a person’s childhood or learning these behaviours from other family members. 

• Experiencing anxiety, anger, depression, and hopelessness 
• Low self-esteem
• People-pleasing, as well as blurred or weak boundaries
• Exaggerated sense of responsibility for the actions of others 
• Being reactive 
• Caretaking or putting others needs ahead of your own 
• Having an unhealthy dependence on relationships 

• Needing to control others 
• Dysfunctional communication 
• Being obsessive 
• Dependency, or fear of being rejected or abandoned 
• Denial of any problems in the relationship 
• Difficulty with intimacy and vulnerability 
• An extreme need for approval or recognition 

Going through a divorce can be extremely difficult for the whole family. Family members going through a divorce can experience increased stress, depression, and anxiety. For children, divorce can be scary, confusing, and frustrating. 

Feelings associated with divorce may include: 

• Sadness
• Anger
• Guilt
• Anxiety 
• Fear
• Confusion
• Frustration

Most people will have a strong desire to have a child at some point in their lives. However, many couples struggle to make this a reality. Infertility is defined as not being able to conceive a child for a least a year, despite many attempts to become pregnant. Both women and men can contribute to the infertility of a couple. Although infertility is a physiological problem, it can take a toll on one’s psychological health. Typical reactions to infertility can include shock, grief , depression , anger , frustration, isolation, and anxiety , as well as loss of self-esteem and self-confidence. Infertility can also have negative effects on the couple relationship. Additionally, ongoing stress can contribute to infertility. 

Psychotherapy can help individuals cope with the grief and loss resulting from infertility as well as to help relieve anxiety or depression . Specifically, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) can help individuals to address their beliefs surrounding infertility as well as increase self-esteem.

If you are currently struggling with infertility, consider contacting us to see how we can help you through this journey psychologically.

After a miscarriage, women may experience any of the following symptoms: 

• Numbness
• Anger
• Guilt
• Sadness
• Depression
• Difficulty concentrating 
• Fatigue
• Insomnia or hypersomnia
• Loss of appetite
• Self-harm
• Isolation