Photo of Kelli A Smith, Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner in Massachusetts
Kelli A Smith
Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner, PMHNP, MSN, PMHCNS, MEd
Verified Verified
Framingham, MA 01701
Family Matters and Estrangements.
Medication and Counseling, Holistic, Fast Scheduling
Family Matters and Estrangements.
Medication and Counseling, Holistic, Fast Scheduling
(508) 273-8253 View (508) 273-8253
Photo of Casey Williams, Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner in Massachusetts
Casey Williams
Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner, MSN, DNP, APRN
Verified Verified
1 Endorsed
Attleboro, MA 02703
I am currently practicing in primary care in Providence, RI with a special interest in addiction medicine, treating opioid and alcohol use disorders. I often utilizes medication assisted treatments in the care of her patient populations. I am well versed in co-occurring psychiatric conditions that contribute to addictive disorders, as well as multi-modal treatment options. I always take an evidenced based approach to helping my patients meet their individual goals.
I am currently practicing in primary care in Providence, RI with a special interest in addiction medicine, treating opioid and alcohol use disorders. I often utilizes medication assisted treatments in the care of her patient populations. I am well versed in co-occurring psychiatric conditions that contribute to addictive disorders, as well as multi-modal treatment options. I always take an evidenced based approach to helping my patients meet their individual goals.
(401) 208-0553 View (401) 208-0553

See more therapy options for Massachusetts

Family Therapy Psychiatrists

What do family therapists do?

A family therapist facilitates the process of understanding and improving how a family functions. The therapist will help family members develop empathy for one another. They’ll seek to understand existing patterns, misunderstandings, and conflicts that arise, in order to help the family arrive at a realistic, unified understanding and develop the coping skills they need to build stronger relationships.

How long does therapy for families take to work?

Therapy manifests differently in every family; a common time frame is 12 weekly sessions, but some families may see improvement after just a few weeks. Families should discuss their goals with the therapist at the beginning of the process and periodically revisit those goals to assess their progress together.

How can you encourage a family member to attend family therapy?

You can encourage family members to attend therapy by expressing with both love and concern the challenges you see and explaining how a therapist could help the family navigate those challenges together. An outside perspective can help everyone feel heard, get on the same page, and develop new skills. If family members are still hesitant, it may be helpful to emphasize that family therapy is short-term—it won’t last forever.

Is therapy for families effective?

Family therapy can significantly improve family dynamics and relationships. Research suggests that family therapy can help individuals understand their role in the family, communicate and solve problems together, reduce conflict and draw boundaries when necessary, and develop coping skills for stressors, major life changes, and mental or physical illnesses within the family.