Experienced professional family counselors and therapists in Soldotna and Homer, AK.
Kenai Peninsula Mental Health has counselors on staff that specialize in family therapy, focusing on parent, child and sibling interactions. Working with a professional family counselor can be helpful in facilitating conversations, establishing and implementing expectations, and supporting loved ones, regardless of your role in the family. Our therapists work to understand the dynamics that bring you into counseling, and offer in the moment interventions and strategies to build on successes and strengths in support of creating healthy change.
Parenting education and support is an important aspect of what our counselors offer during family therapy. Even though you are the expert on your child, our therapists, in both Soldotna and Homer, bring knowledge and experience to the table, offering an outside perspective. Sometimes it is this shift in perspective that allows us to consider a situation with fresh eyes, and tackle a challenging situation with renewed clarity of vision and resolve.
Therapy sessions with a professional counselor can offer emotional support, guidance, and education in addressing a variety of challenges that today’s families face. Relationship dynamics can be messy, and sometimes, bringing in the support of an outside party can be helpful in navigating the social nuance of relating to those we’re related to. Family therapy can be an effective way of addressing challenging relationship dynamics.
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Daniela Kopec - LPC-S
Daniela has over 15 years of experience working as a counselor in the mental health field. Though she has experience working with clients across the life span, she has found that she is most passionate about walking alongside those that have experienced trauma, addressing the symptoms of anxiety and depression that are often co-ocurring. Daniela believes in utilizing an integrative approach to health and wellness that looks at mind, body and spirt, and is motivated to give people the tools to develop their inner strength and confidence to make the changes they desire. Native to the Soldotna community, Daniela has called Alaska home for many years.
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Autumn Collings - LMFT, LPC
Autumn is passionate about showing up with others in a way that allows them to feel deeply seen and truly known. She believes authenticity and connection are at the heart of meaningful therapeutic work, and is committed to showing up honestly and inviting her clients to do the same. She loves bringing creativity to her sessions and often offers hands-on learning opportunities for her clients, something that comes naturally to her given her history of coaching softball and being a collegiate athlete. Autumn loves to be outdoors, and enjoys fishing, hiking, and hunting.
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Mary Kuepper - LPC-S
Mary has over a decade of experience working in community based mental health. Though she has worked with people across the lifespan, she specializes in work with kids, teens and families, as well as in maternal mental health. Mary is passionate about giving people the tools they need to not only function well, but to thrive in their everyday life. Though not native to Alaska, she has fallen in love with the abundant resources of this beautiful place. When not working with clients, Mary can be found adventuring, hiking and exploring. She loves to fly fish our local creeks, dig in the dirt of her backyard garden, and get in quality time with her friends, and beautiful family.
What you can expect from family counseling.
The structure of family therapy sessions can vary greatly, depending on the circumstances that bring a family in for counseling. An initial therapy session can vary depending on your wishes, and may include adults only, or parents and children depending on your unique circumstances.
Generally, family therapy sessions occur one time weekly for 50-60 minutes. However, depending on the circumstances that bring you and your family into therapy and the interventions being used, it is at times helpful to flex this schedule according to your specific needs. These details will be discussed with you and your family throughout the counseling process.
If you think you and your family might benefit from a little additional support, please reach out. Our counselors are here to offer guidance, education and support to get you and yours back on the road to health and happiness.
Could your family benefit from seeing a professional counselor?
SOME OF THE COMMON CHALLENGES THAT CAUSE PEOPLE TO SEEK FAMILY COUNSELING CAN INCLUDE:
Family planning
Developing parenting skills
Blended family issues
Step parenting
Divorce troubles
Behavioral Issues
Addressing challenging conversations
Setting limits and boundaries
Establishing expectations
Follow through and consistency
THE VARIOUS GOALS FOR FAMILY THERAPY INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO:
More healthy and effective communication
Address and resolve problems and conflicts
Support in navigating challenging and traumatic events
A more positive and peaceful family culture
Increased sense of connection
How dong does professional family counseling typically take?
The length of time an individual is in counseling is situation specific and can vary. However, we at Kenai Peninsula Mental Health are passionate about giving our clients the tools and skills they need to thrive and function well. We will cast a wide net at the onset, looking for all the variables that may be contributing to your family’s distress. We will build skills for managing symptoms and explore underlying root causes. We will take as little or as much time as you need, but we will do our very best to get your family back on the right track.
How do I get started with counseling services?
Ready to get started? Call or email us today. Our contact info is at the bottom of this page.
Once you reach out, our on-boarding and admin guru will contact you to gather information regarding your specific situation. We will explore with you what provider will likely best meet your needs, and support you in getting set up in our electronic health record.
KPMH uses Simple Practice, a medical record and portal system that will allow for confidential and HIPAA compliant messaging that ensures your privacy. You will be sent a portal link that directs you to online documentation to be completed prior to your initial session.
Where you go for support is your choice, and we want you to feel empowered to assess whether or not we are the right fit for you! Here at KPMH, our providers believe that a strong therapeutic relationship is essential in the process of creating change. These initial conversations are important in assessing fit, as therapy is not “one size fits all.”
KPMH’s Soldotna office is conveniently located near the intersection of the Sterling and Kenai Spur Highways. Our Homer location is centrally located as well. Feel free to arrive a few minutes prior to your scheduled session to grab a cup of tea and relax before meeting with your provider. We look forward to meeting you, and are honored you have chosen us to do this work alongside you.