FAQs About FACTS

Yes. We believe in the healing potential of human relationships and honor the integrity and dignity of every individual. We believe couples and families working together have the best chance to solve their problems and develop fulfilling lives. Our sliding fee scale enables us to offer services to people of diverse backgrounds. All FACTS therapists have completed a specialized training in the theory and practice of couples and family therapy.

The primary difference is that couples and families work together on their issues, learning new communication skills and how to interact differently during their sessions and in their lives.

FACTS therapists have expertise working with a wide variety of circumstances, symptoms, and people. Below is a partial list of the many areas in which FACTS therapists can help:

Communication
Anxiety
Depression
Intimacy, Sexuality, and Commitment
Premarital Tension
Remarriage, step-families, single-parent and adoptive families
Parenting Children and Adolescents
Learning disabilities
Aging Parents
Crises such as separation, divorce, trauma, abuse, additions, relocation, job loss
Multicultural Issues
Family Response to Eating Disorders
Chronic Medical Conditions
Conflicts involving money
Conflicts involving gender and/or sexual orientation
Career Issues

Yes, couples and family therapy work. In a recent study, consumers reported that marriage/couples/family therapists are the mental health professionals they would most likely recommend to friends. A survey conducted by AAMFT (American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy) found that over 98% of couples and family therapy clients rated the care they received as being good or excellent. Clients also indicated improvement in physical and emotional health, work functioning, and children’s ability to get along with others.

Research cited in a recent article in the NY Times indicates that couples sometimes wait too long to begin therapy. If destructive patterns, deep pain and disappointment become too entrenched then chances for healing can be compromised.

Our FACTS therapists have academic degrees in a mental health specialty such as psychologists, social workers, mental health counselors or are actively earning such degrees. Some are currently enrolled or have graduated from our post graduate training program.

If you think any of the following apply to you and your partner, the chances are that your relationship would benefit from couples work.

• We are unable to resolve our arguments.
• The same problems keep occurring.
• Anger and resentment interfere with feeling good together.
• We feel very far apart from each other.
• We thought we were compatible sexually, but now we’re not sure.
• I think a lot about breaking up, but can’t make up my mind.
• We decided to move in together but we don’t seem to be able to go forward with the plan.

Couples therapy can be expensive, however, at FACTS, we are committed to making it affordable. We have a sliding fee scale based on each couples’ financial circumstances. In the beginning, couples meet with their therapist weekly. After crises have been handled, or some change has begun to happen, sessions can be held less frequently. We offer short and long-term treatment. The length of treatment depends on the issues involved.

Absolutely. Trained couples therapists have knowledge and expertise in family dynamics. We have been helping couples with “in-law” problems for many years.

Yes, it can, but when the problem involves an addiction, the solution requires a 12-step or equivalent program to complement couples/ family therapy. This combination has proven to be effective.

Research cited in a recent article in the NY Times indicates that couples sometimes wait too long to begin therapy. If destructive patterns, deep pain and disappointment become too entrenched then chances for healing can be compromised.

Our institute is open from 7:30 AM to 10:30 PM Monday- Friday and 8:45 AM to 5:30 PM on Saturday.

This is exactly the kind of situation for which family therapy is highly recommended. In fact, many decades of doing family therapy has shown that mobilizing the resources and wisdom that exist within a family helps restore the balance that is needed. While there may be a time when individual therapy would enhance your stepchild’s development, family therapy would be the treatment of choice.

Family therapy is sometimes called family-systems therapy because systems outside the family are taken into consideration when evaluating the difficulties of a family member. The school situation you mention is a perfect example and you may be right about your son’s teacher. A FACTS therapist would do a thorough assessment of all the possible influences affecting his behavior, then, with the family, design interventions to help. This might include contacting school personnel.