Strong families are built on connection, communication, and trust—but even the healthiest relationships can experience challenges. Family counseling offers a safe, supportive space for family members to work through conflict, improve communication, and strengthen relationships.
Whether your family is facing a specific issue—such as parenting struggles, life transitions, or behavioral concerns—or you simply want to improve how you relate to one another, counseling can help. Sessions are designed to promote understanding, reduce stress, and help each member feel heard and respected.
Dr. Savana Howe provides compassionate, evidence-based family therapy tailored to each family’s unique needs. Her approach supports families in identifying unhealthy patterns, managing emotional dynamics, and building practical strategies for long-term improvement. From blended families and co-parenting challenges to grief, adolescent behavior, and communication breakdowns, Dr. Howe works collaboratively to foster growth, clarity, and connection.
Managing ongoing disagreements, tension, or power struggles that interfere with family connection and cooperation.
Gamilies coping with chronic illness, disability, or a recent diagnosis that affects relationships or daily functioning.
Helping stepfamilies navigate new roles, household structures, and other concerns after remarriage or cohabitation.
Support the divorce process, while helping co-parents develop consistent communication, boundaries, and parenting strategies that prioritize the well-being of the whole family.
Processing the loss of a loved one or a major life shift—such as the death of a parent, sibling, or child—together as a unit.
Breaking patterns of avoidance, defensiveness, or emotional miscommunication that create tension and misunderstandings.
Beginning therapy for depression can feel like a big step, but Dr. Howe’s process is designed to be clear, supportive, and focused on your unique needs from the very first session.
Counseling begins with a consultation to discuss your family’s concerns, background, and goals. This helps the therapist understand the situation and recommend the best approach.
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Dr. Howe may meet with the entire family and/or specific members individually to learn how each person views the challenges. A treatment plan is developed to guide the process moving forward.
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Most sessions involve working together to improve communication, reduce conflict, and strengthen connection. The therapist helps guide conversations and build useful skills over time.
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As progress is made, the therapist checks in regularly to reflect on what’s working and what needs to shift. Goals, session structure, or focus areas may be adjusted to keep the process aligned with your family’s evolving needs.
Dr. Savana Howe is a licensed clinical psychologist with years of experience helping individuals and families navigate challenges. She specializes in providing compassionate, evidence-based therapy for a wide range of concerns, including anxiety, depression, trauma, and life transitions. Dr. Howe’s approach is collaborative, creating a safe, non-judgmental space where clients can explore their thoughts and emotions. Her goal is to empower clients to understand themselves better and make meaningful changes that promote emotional well-being and personal growth.
Family counseling helps family members enhance their communication skills, fostering trust, understanding, and mutual respect.
Therapy helps rebuild emotional connections and strengthens the bonds between family members, improving overall family cohesion.
Counseling teaches families constructive ways to address conflicts, reducing negative impacts and promoting healthier resolutions.
Family therapy encourages the creation of a positive, supportive environment, promoting greater emotional well-being for all family members.
Families learn effective tools and strategies to navigate future challenges and transitions with greater resilience and confidence.
Contact Dr. Howe today to schedule your free 15-minute consultation and begin your journey toward better mental health.
It’s a good time to consider family counseling when communication feels strained, conflicts are ongoing, or members feel disconnected or misunderstood. Counseling can be helpful during major life transitions—such as divorce, remarriage, moving, or the loss of a loved one—as well as when behavioral concerns, emotional stress, or parenting challenges begin to affect the family dynamic. Even if problems haven’t escalated, therapy can provide tools to strengthen relationships and create a more supportive home environment. You don’t need to wait for a crisis—seeking support early can prevent issues from getting worse.
Family counseling typically lasts between 8 to 20 sessions, though the exact length varies from family to family. The duration depends on several factors, including the nature and severity of the issues, the goals set during the planning phase, each member’s motivation and engagement, and the type of therapeutic approach being used. Some families may resolve their concerns in a few months, while others may benefit from longer-term support. Progress is reviewed regularly, and the therapist will help guide how long to continue based on your family’s needs and pace of growth.
Yes, children can be involved in family therapy—but whether they participate depends on the nature of the concerns being addressed. In many cases, including children in sessions is beneficial, especially when the issues involve parenting, sibling conflict, emotional regulation, or family transitions like divorce or remarriage. Their presence helps give a more complete view of the family dynamic and allows them to have a voice in the process.
However, there are situations where it may be more effective for parents or adult members to meet separately—particularly when the topics are emotionally complex, not developmentally appropriate for the child, or may place the child in an uncomfortable position (such as discussing adult relationship conflict). The therapist will typically assess early on which approach is most supportive for the entire family and may adjust session structure over time to meet the family’s evolving needs.
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