Ben Gordon Center – Providing Direction in Life
Families are faced with a multitude of issues that produce stress, frustration, conflict and generally disrupt equilibrium. Children tend to benefit in a family that promotes healthy boundaries, consistent discipline and a clarification of family values and roles. Conflict occurs when parents feel overwhelmed, out of control, there is a breakdown in communication or environmental factors impact the family.
Every family at some point may need assistance when they are not able to cope with the stress and challenges facing family members. It is when the usual coping strategies and skills no longer are working or we as family members choose not to use them and turn to other negative coping skills such as anger, alcohol or drugs that we need to seek professional assistance with family therapy
Traits of healthy families center on the core group of skills that create that sense of wellbeing and safety in all members of the family. The following are a list of traits of health families.
Build Trust – Strong families build trusting relations by following through with promises. Maintaining consistency and reliability. Our actions and words are aligned. We trust each other.
Show Commitment – Strong families feel like a team. They share traditions like having a family picnic on the Fourth of July or taking walks together after dinner. Family members show commitment to the family by making time for family events and making sacrifices for one another.
Communicate – Members of strong families talk to one another about important decisions and daily plans. They discuss feelings as well as day-to-day activities at school or work. When there are conflicts, strong families take time to cool down before responding. We should try not to stuff or bottle up our anger or let it get out of hand. They talk about possible solutions to problems and work together to carry out the best solution. In working with families in counseling we work to re-frame the issues that cause anger in family members to seek difference solutions and coping strategies.
Grow Through Crises – All families experience crises. Strong families use these experiences to learn and grow. They know even bad experiences can bring about good changes and help them to become closer. They admit problems instead of hiding them. They seek help when needed.
Spend Time Together – Strong families spend time together, talking, reading, playing games, taking walks, cooking. Some special times involve closeness, like reading a good-night story and tucking children into bed with a kiss, or sharing dinner together on a regular basis.
Have Fun as a Family – Strong families know that having fun is important and make plans to have fun together. Strong families know that laughter is important and use humor to help reduce stress. Family members laugh with one another, not at one another.
Show Love and Affection – No matter what children say or do, they need to know that their parents love them. Strong families show caring in many ways. Family members say to each other, “I love you” or “I’m happy we’re in this family together.” They give hugs and show affection in other small ways. They may call each other nicknames, text message each other during the day to stay in touch and enjoy remembering family stories.
Being willing to work on our challenges: Healthy families work on their challenges. If they feel that they cannot resolve them themselves they should seek professional health thorough a skilled and trained mental health professional.
At the Ben Gordon Center we have a variety of trained, caring professionals that can help your child. You can consult with a Counselor, one of our Board Certified Psychiatrists, Psychologists, Social Workers, Counselors, Marriage and Family Counselors and outreach workers, Substance Abuse professionals, Nurses or Advanced Practice Nurses (APN).
All of our staff are experts in behavioral healthcare and are licensed and qualified to treat and diagnosis mental illnesses in children and adolescents
The Ben Gordon Center, Inc. also accepts all Insurance Plans ,Medicaid, Medicare, and. offers services on a sliding fee for those who qualify. The Ben Gordon Center is fully accredited by JCAHO, Illinois Division of Mental Health and the Division of Alcohol and Substance Abuse Services. For more information call 815-756-4875.
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