Family Therapy in Brunswick, ME

Build the Family You Want, Grounded in Trust and Real Connection.

We’re a team of therapists in Brunswick, Maine. We work with families who are successful in many areas of life but stuck in the same patterns at home. The same arguments resurface. Connection feels harder to access. You’re doing well elsewhere, but family dynamics feel harder than they should. We help families move from those stuck patterns to clearer communication, stronger trust, and real connection. We bring together family therapy, Nonviolent Communication, and practical tools that actually fit your family.

Why Families Reach Out for Support

Why Families Seek Therapy

You’ve built a successful life. So, how is it this hard at home?

You’ve got the big things figured out. The career. The income. The goals. But at home, the same tensions surface. The same arguments repeat. Someone shuts down. Someone pursues. And underneath it all is this quiet question: how are we still here?

Many families we work with are high-functioning and successful in other parts of life, but find themselves stuck in patterns they can’t shift on their own. You don’t have time for this level of conflict. You’ve done therapy before. You know what healthy relationships are supposed to look like. But knowing doesn’t always translate into doing, especially when you’re managing full lives, big jobs, and the ongoing pressure of trying to do it all well.

You’re not broken. You’re navigating complexity. And it makes sense to want support from people who understand what it’s like to build a meaningful life while staying connected to the people who matter most.

Is Family Therapy Right for You?

Family Therapy May Be Helpful If

Family therapy may resonate with you if:

You're tired of the same arguments surfacing without resolution, especially when you don't have time for this level of conflict.
You've done well in your career and life, but family dynamics feel harder than they should.
You value growth, self-awareness, and building a life of meaning, not just managing logistics.
You're navigating full lives (big jobs, parenting, partnership) and asking yourself: how do we do it all and stay connected?
You want support from people who understand high-functioning families under real pressure.
You're willing to show up, reflect on patterns, and do the work needed to create real change.
You don't just want to fix problems. You want to build the family culture you actually value.
You're looking for a therapist who brings warmth, structure, truth-telling, and practical tools.

How Family Therapy Shifts Daily Life

Before Family Therapy

Feeling like you're managing parallel lives, not building a shared one
Watching the same arguments repeat without ever getting to what's actually underneath
Asking yourself: we've got everything else figured out, how are we still here?
Feeling frustrated that you don't have time for this level of ongoing tension
Wondering if this is just how family life is supposed to feel
Living with unspoken resentment, emotional distance, or surface-level connection

After Family Therapy

Feeling more at ease at home, even when things aren't perfect
Resolving conflicts more quickly, with less defensiveness and more curiosity
Building a family culture that actually reflects your values, not just your schedules
Responding with clarity instead of reactivity when someone is upset
Creating space for honest conversations without someone shutting down or pulling away
Knowing you have the skills to navigate hard moments without it derailing the whole week

My Approach To Family Therapy

How We Work with Families

A Collaborative, Relational Approach

We don’t work from a one-size-fits-all playbook. Every family has its own history, values, and dynamics. Our job is to help you move from stuck patterns to the family culture you actually want. Not just less conflict. A family life that feels aligned with who you are and what matters to you.

What This Looks Like

We help you identify what’s not working, clarify what each person needs, and build communication patterns that actually fit your family.
Sessions are interactive, honest, and structured. We’ll offer perspective, challenge patterns directly, and give you space to explore what’s underneath the surface tension
We help you slow down enough to hear each other and develop the skills to navigate inevitable family stress with more clarity and less reactivity.
This work is rooted in systems thinking: when one person shifts, the whole family shifts. And when you align your daily family life with your deeper values, connection becomes easier to access.

Couples counseling and group support are also available as part of a broader relational approach to wellbeing.

Meet Our Team

Family Therapists Supporting Families in Brunswick, ME

Hi, I’m Paul
I’m a licensed therapist in Brunswick, Maine, with over 20 years of experience working with individuals, couples, and families. I’m also a father, which gives me real insight into the messiness and beauty of family life. My approach blends developmental psychology, existential inquiry, family systems, and Nonviolent Communication to help families build the skills and self-awareness needed for relationships that actually work. I’m direct without being harsh, structured without being rigid, and I bring warmth, truth-telling, and occasional humor to help families navigate hard conversations.

Licensed in Maine (LCPC), Massachusetts (LMHC), and New York (LMHC).
Certified Group Psychotherapist (CGP).
Specializes in high-functioning families navigating the 'how do we do it all?' pressure.
Facilitates virtual Dads Group for high-achieving fathers balancing career, partnership, and parenting.
Known for warm challenge, truth-telling, practical tools, and helping families who've 'done therapy before' but are still stuck.

Hi, I’m Patty
I hold a PhD in Counselor Education & Supervision and am dually licensed as a Marriage & Family Therapist (LMFT) in Massachusetts and Texas and a Professional Counselor (LPC) in Texas. I’m EMDR Certified and bring over 15 years of clinical experience working with couples, families, and individuals. I use an integrated approach that includes the Gottman Method, Relational Life Therapy (RLT), and Psychobiological Approach to Couples Therapy (PACT) to help families repair and strengthen committed relationships.

EMDR Certified for trauma resolution and pattern shifting.
Gottman Method trained for couples and family work.
Relational Life Therapy (RLT) and PACT approaches.
Play therapist and parenting educator with 15 years of experience.
Helps families move from chaos and conflict to peace and joy.

Ready To Start

See If Family Therapy Feels Like a Good Fit

The first step is a conversation. We offer a free 15-minute consultation to help you decide if this feels like the right next step.

Common Family Patterns

Understanding Family Patterns and Dynamics

How Families Get Stuck and How Therapy Helps
Families are complex systems. Every member influences the whole, and patterns that once worked can become obstacles as people grow and change. Understanding these dynamics helps families shift from stuck patterns to new ways of relating.

Communication Breakdowns and Misunderstandings

Many families struggle with communication, not because people don’t care, but because they’ve developed patterns that block real understanding. One person speaks in abstractions while another needs concrete examples. Someone withdraws when conflict arises, while another person pursues resolution immediately. These differences in style create friction, frustration, and missed connections. Therapy helps slow down communication patterns, identify what’s getting in the way, and build shared language and listening skills that help everyone feel heard and understood.

Conflict Patterns That Keep Repeating

Families often find themselves in the same arguments, using the same language, ending in the same stalemate. These loops happen because the underlying needs haven’t been addressed. One person needs autonomy while another needs reassurance. Someone wants structure while another values flexibility. Therapy helps families recognize the pattern beneath the surface argument, slow down reactivity, and address the real needs driving the conflict.

Emotional Distance and Disconnection

Sometimes families drift apart without realizing it. Everyone is busy. Conversations stay logistical. Emotional sharing feels risky or unnecessary. Over time, the family becomes a series of parallel lives rather than a connected system. Therapy creates space to rebuild emotional intimacy, reestablish rituals of connection, and practice vulnerability in ways that feel safe and manageable.

Life Transitions and Developmental Shifts

Major transitions like welcoming a new baby, navigating the teen years, blending families, or adjusting to an empty nest can destabilize even strong families. Old roles no longer fit. New expectations emerge. Everyone is adjusting, often at different paces. Therapy provides structure and support during these transitions, helping families clarify new roles, renegotiate boundaries, and adapt together rather than pulling apart.

How We Approach Family Therapy

Approaches We Use in Family Therapy

Tools That Help Families Understand Each Other and Reconnect We integrate multiple therapeutic approaches to address your family’s unique needs and dynamics. Each family is different, so we tailor our approach based on what will be most helpful for you.

Nonviolent Communication (NVC)

Nonviolent Communication provides a framework for expressing needs, emotions, and requests clearly and without blame. It helps family members move from reactive patterns to conscious, compassionate communication. In practice, this means learning to identify feelings and needs, make clear requests, and listen with empathy even during conflict. NVC is especially helpful for families where defensiveness, criticism, or withdrawal have become default responses.

Distinguish observations from judgments and interpretations.
Identify and articulate feelings and underlying needs
Make clear, actionable requests instead of demands
Practice empathic listening to understand others’ needs

Attachment-Based Family Therapy

Attachment-based therapy focuses on the emotional bonds between family members and how early relational experiences shape current patterns. It helps families understand how each person seeks safety, connection, and autonomy, and how those needs sometimes clash. This approach is particularly helpful when family members feel misunderstood, when trust has been broken, or when emotional safety feels fragile.

Explore each person’s attachment style and relational needs
Identify patterns of pursuing, withdrawing, or distancing
Build secure emotional bonds through consistent, responsive interaction
Repair attachment injuries and rebuild trust

Family Systems Therapy

Family systems therapy views the family as an interconnected system where each person’s behavior affects everyone else. When one person changes, the system shifts. This approach helps families identify roles, boundaries, and patterns that may have developed unconsciously and explore how those dynamics support or undermine connection. It’s especially helpful for blended families, multi-generational households, or families navigating complex relational dynamics.

Map family roles, boundaries, and communication patterns
Identify triangulation or coalitions that create tension
Clarify healthy boundaries and differentiation
Explore how family-of-origin patterns influence current relationships

Mindfulness-Based Practices

Mindfulness helps families slow down, regulate emotions, and respond with intention rather than reactivity. Simple practices like pausing before responding, noticing physical sensations during conflict, or grounding through breath can shift heated moments into opportunities for connection. Mindfulness also supports individual emotional regulation, which improves overall family dynamics.

Practice pausing and grounding during emotionally charged moments
Notice body sensations, thoughts, and emotions without judgment
Develop the capacity to respond rather than react
Build individual emotional regulation skills

Let's Talk About What You Need

First Session

What to Expect in Your First Session

The first session is about understanding what brought you here, what you’re hoping for, and whether we’re a good fit to work together. There’s no pressure to have everything figured out.

How Sessions Work:

I'll ask about your family's history, current challenges, and what you've tried so far.
I'll explain how we work and what you can expect from therapy.
Sessions typically last 50 to 90 minutes, depending on family size and needs.
We'll move at a pace that feels right for you.

Frequently Asked Questions About Family Therapy in Brunswick, ME

1. What is family therapy?

Family therapy is a form of counseling that focuses on improving communication, resolving conflict, and strengthening relationships within the family system. Rather than treating one person in isolation, family therapy recognizes that families are interconnected systems where each person’s behavior affects everyone else. The goal is to help families understand their patterns, clarify needs, and develop healthier ways of relating to each other.

2. Who should attend family therapy?

This depends on your family’s needs and what you’re working on. Sometimes it’s helpful for everyone to attend. Other times, it makes sense to start with parents or a subset of family members and expand from there. I’ll work with you to determine who should be involved and when. If someone isn’t ready or willing to attend, we can still make meaningful progress with those who are.

3. What happens in family therapy sessions?

Sessions are collaborative and conversational. We’ll talk about what’s happening in your family, identify patterns that aren’t working, and practice new ways of communicating and relating. I’ll guide the conversation, offer perspective, and teach practical skills like active listening, emotional regulation, and conflict resolution. Some sessions focus on understanding patterns. Others focus on practicing new skills. The pace and content adapt to what your family needs.

4. How long does family therapy usually last?

This varies depending on your goals and the complexity of what you’re working on. Some families see meaningful shifts in a few months. Others benefit from longer-term support. We’ll check in regularly about progress and adjust the frequency and duration based on what feels right for you. There’s no requirement to stay in therapy indefinitely. The goal is to help you build the skills and understanding you need to navigate challenges independently.

5. When should a family consider therapy?

Families often reach out when they notice recurring conflict, emotional distance, communication breakdowns, or when a major life transition is adding strain. You don’t need to be in crisis to benefit from therapy. Many families come in because they want to strengthen connections, improve communication, or navigate a developmental shift proactively. If you’re wondering whether therapy might help, a free consultation can clarify whether it’s the right fit.

6. Does everyone in the family have to go?

Not necessarily. While it’s often helpful for key family members to attend, meaningful change can still happen even if someone chooses not to participate. I’ll work with whoever is present and willing to engage. If a family member is resistant, we can address that as part of the work.

7. What if one family member doesn't want to attend?

This is common. Resistance to therapy can come from fear, skepticism, or a sense that therapy means something is fundamentally broken. We approach resistance with curiosity and respect. Sometimes, starting with those who are willing creates enough of a positive shift that hesitant members become more open. Other times, we work around resistance and focus on what those present can change within the family system.

8. Can family therapy help with communication problems or constant arguing?

Yes. Communication breakdowns and recurring arguments are among the most common reasons families seek therapy. We’ll identify the patterns beneath the surface conflict, clarify underlying needs, and build practical communication skills like active listening, non-defensive responding, and making clear requests. Many families notice that conflicts resolve more quickly and with less intensity as these skills develop.

9. What are the goals of family therapy?

The specific goals depend on your family’s needs. Common goals include improving communication, resolving recurring conflicts, rebuilding trust, strengthening emotional connection, navigating life transitions, clarifying boundaries, and creating a more emotionally safe home environment. We’ll define your goals together in the first few sessions and check in regularly about progress.

10. How much does family therapy cost in Brunswick, and do you take insurance?

Session Duration

Individual sessions: 50 minutes
Family sessions: 50 to 90 minutes, depending on family size

Rates and Pricing

Individual therapy: $325 per session
Family therapy: $350 per session

Insurance

We are an out-of-network provider
If you have a POS or PPO plan, you may be eligible for reimbursement according to your plan’s terms.
I’m happy to provide a superbill for insurance reimbursement
Please reach out with any questions about cost or payment options

Office Location

Brunswick, ME (in-person sessions available)
Virtual therapy available across Maine, Massachusetts, and New York

11. Do you offer online family therapy?

Yes. We offer virtual family therapy sessions via a secure video platform for families in Maine, Massachusetts, and New York. Online therapy works well for families with scheduling challenges, those in different locations, or families who prefer the comfort of meeting from home. The structure and approach remain the same whether sessions are in-person or virtual.

12. Do you offer in-person family therapy near me at your office?

Yes. We offer in-person family therapy sessions in Brunswick, Maine.

Family Therapy Near Me

If you’re searching for family therapy near you in Brunswick or the Midcoast Maine area, I’m located near the Androscoggin Riverwalk, Brunswick Town Mall, and Bowdoin College Quad. The office is easily accessible from Maine Street and Mill Pond Park. Whether you’re coming from Portland, Bath, or the surrounding areas, Brunswick offers a central, welcoming location for family therapy.

13. Is family therapy effective?

Yes. Research consistently shows that family therapy can improve communication, reduce conflict, and strengthen family relationships. Effectiveness depends on several factors, including family members’ willingness to engage, consistency in attending sessions, and readiness to practice new skills outside of therapy. Families who show up, do the work, and stay committed to the process tend to see meaningful change.

Ready To Begin