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686,000 people sought help with Thriveworks in the last year

Discover how starting blended family counseling can support your own journey toward a happier, more fulfilling life.

Meet with a provider as soon as this week

ACCEPTING NEW CLIENTS

Aetna, ASR, Blue Care Network of Michigan, +19 more
Anger, Behavioral Issues, Coping Skills, Self Esteem, Stress, +11 more

ACCEPTING NEW CLIENTS

Aetna, ASR, Blue Care Network of Michigan, +22 more
Coping Skills, Self Esteem, Stress, Women’s Issues, Career, +9 more

As a religious woman and certified trauma professional/substance use disorder therapist I understand the connection between trauma, isolation, and sub... As a religious woman and certified trauma professional/substance use disorder therapist I understand the connection between trauma, isolation, and substance abuse. Read more

37 more therapists available in Michigan

Give us a call to schedule your next appointment, or browse through our full list of available providers.

Starting Blended family counseling

What is Blended family counseling?

Blended family counseling from our therapists at Thriveworks in Beverly Hills, MI helps families who have come together through marriage work through changes, accept differences, ease tension, and form bonds. It enables parents to set boundaries and expectations around finances, parenting, and other areas. In addition, it offers all family members a safe space to voice their thoughts and feelings.

How does Blended family counseling work?

Blended family counseling will likely involve attending sessions as a group, but it might also involve individual sessions with each family member. It works by encouraging the group to share any emotions or concerns or challenges they might be experiencing, as relates to the family, and then offering tailored solutions.

Is Blended family counseling conducted in person or online?

Blended family counseling at Thriveworks in Beverly Hills, MI is conducted both in person and online by video. We encourage you to choose the option that works best for you.

How long does Blended family counseling last?

Blended family counseling from one of our providers at Thriveworks in Beverly Hills, MI be short- or long-term, lasting for weeks, months, or years. The length is dependent on the family's areas of concerns, whether they're more immediate or they're more complex. Together with your therapist, you can determine how long you should plan on attending therapy for best results.

Need more help deciding?

When Carol and Mike got married, they were a match made in heaven. She had three girls with blond hair, the youngest in curls. He had three boys—four men living together, but they were all alone… “they knew that it was much more than a hunch; That this group must somehow form a family.” Yes, The Brady Bunch is the iconic standard of the blended family. While Marcia and Greg had their tiffs, the Bradys made bringing two families together look easy. The only problem is that blending families is rarely that smooth. All blended families experience roadblocks and bumps on their journey toward being one, big, happy family. More and more, stepfamilies are navigating those roadblocks with guidance from a family therapist and blended family counseling.

“You have to take things slowly. Just because you love someone doesn’t mean that you’re going to automatically love their children.
All relationships take time to grow and develop. Be willing to give everyone the time and space they need. It will come.”
—Kelly LeFurgey

Time and space are two ingredients for a blended family to flourish. Without a doubt, bringing two families together can be a challenge, but without a doubt, it is worth the effort. With every challenge, there is also opportunity. Children and parents alike often learn to love in new and deeper ways. They may build up their resiliency. They often learn more about who they are and what they need. No one has to walk through the challenge alone. Mental health professionals have helped many families overcome these difficulties and come together.

Your blended family may be just starting on its journey or you may have been working on harmony for a while. In either case, know that Thriveworks Birmingham offers therapy for blended families. We understand the process of building a family, and we are ready to help.

What Does a Blended Family Look Like?

There is no formula for what a blended or step family can look like. No list could contain the different shapes and sizes families can take, but here are some examples of blended families:

  • Parents who are divorced and living in separate homes but sharing parenting duties of their children. No partners are involved in the children’s lives.
  • A remarried or re-coupled parent whose new partner steps into a parenting role in their child’s life (thus, the term step family) where the new partner does not have their own children.
  • Remarried or re-coupled parents who both have children from a previous relationship and both are stepping into parenting roles.
  • A remarried or re-coupled parent whose new partners does not take on a parenting role the child (children).

In 1969, The Brady Bunch first aired, and the divorce rate for first-time marriages was 30 percent. Today, that rate is 40 percent, and it rises exponentially for second and third time marriages. There are many, many blended families. In fact, the US Census Bureau says that 1300 new blended families are formed each day, and half of the 60 million children ages 13 and under are living in a blended family. If you are experiencing the growing pains of blending a family, you are not alone. Many others understand the challenges that face both the children and the adults in a stepfamily.

Blended Families: Common Challenges for the Kids
When a child’s home life is changing, even if those changes are for the better, children often feel stressed. Often, children are required to undergo the most amount of changes, but they have the least ability to control the situation. They may be grieving a parent’s divorce, break-up, or death. They may have to adjust to one set of rules in one home and another set of rules in another home. The resulting frustration, loss, and grief may lead to emotional and behavioral problems.

When a parent’s new partner takes an active role in parenting or when they have children of their own, children can be caught in confusing and unclear roles. Their birth order may have been disturbed, and they may no longer be the baby or the boss. Children often wonder if liking their new stepparent is a betrayal to their other parent. If the parent’s new partner is taking an active role in parenting, what is that role? If not, what will the relationship between the child and the partner look like? Without clarity, children can have difficulty adjusting to the blended family.

Blended Families: Common Challenges for the Adults
When adults come together as a couple and as a family, they also face many challenges. They have the marriage or partnership to establish, but they also must set the course for the whole family. If one of the spouses or partners had not previously been a parent, then parenting is a set of social skills that needs to be learned. If each partner brings their own children to the family, then they will need to decide upon a parenting style and navigate differences with former partners/spouses. Any one of these issues can cause great tension, but often, multiple challenges are in play at the same time.

Scheduling Counseling for Blended Families at Thriveworks Birmingham

If you are blending two families together, consider reaching out to help from Thriveworks Birmingham. When you contact our office, your first appointment may be within 24 hours. We accept many different forms of insurance, and we offer weekend evening sessions. Let’s work together. Call today.

Pricing & insurance

Our therapists accept most major insurances. We accept 585+ insurance plans, and offer self-pay options, too.
Learn more about pricing for therapy and counseling services at Thriveworks.

Our Beverly Hills therapists and counselors accept 26 insurance plans

  • Aetna

  • ASR

  • Blue Care Network of Michigan

  • Blue Care Network of Michigan Medicare Advantage (HMO | PPO)

  • Blue Cross Blue Shield | Anthem (Blue Card)

  • Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan | BCBS Medicare Advantage (HMO | PPO)

  • Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan | BCBS PPO

  • Carelon

  • Cigna | Evernorth

  • Cigna | Evernorth EAP

  • Compsych

  • First Health Network

Show more
Self-pay costs at Beverly Hills
Talk therapy

Talk therapy

Includes individual, couples, child/ teen, & family therapy

First session

$1

Ongoing sessions

$1

Talk therapy

Psychiatry

Includes reducing symptoms with medication & management

First session

$1

Ongoing sessions

$1

Hear from our clients

4.7 Thriveworks Beverly Hills reviews are collected through Thriveworks.com.
★★★★★
Andrea Golden is easy to talk with and goes or of her way to give a balanced perspective.
Birmingham Aug 2020
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
I had the honor of working with Lindsey at a previous job and she is one of the sweetest individuals I have ever met. Lindsey listens intently to everyone and is open to people from all walks of life. Lindsey is knowledgeable and passionate about advocating for mental health. This makes Lindsey a great leader and counselor. I would refer anyone I know to Lindsey!
Read more I had the honor of working with Lindsey at a previous job and she is one of the sweetest individuals I have ever met. Lindsey listens intently to everyone and is open to people from all walks of life. Lindsey is knowledgeable and passionate about advocating for mental health. This makes Lindsey a great leader and counselor. I would refer anyone I know to Lindsey!
Birmingham Nov 2019
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
I’ve known Tammy Wagstaff for quite some time. She was very helpful to me for finding my strengths and improving my working and personal relationships. She is a good listener and is able to “see” my point of view . I would highly recommend this counselor
Read more I’ve known Tammy Wagstaff for quite some time. She was very helpful to me for finding my strengths and improving my working and personal relationships. She is a good listener and is able to “see” my point of view . I would highly recommend this counselor
Birmingham Sep 2019
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
*****I have been a patient of Sandra's for nearly 2 years now and I really can't say enough good things about her work with me. She is a true Christian counselor and that was exactly the perspective I needed to guide me down the path God was trying to lead me. She definitely strengthened my faith and made many of life's big problems seem like small speed bumps when looking at the big picture!! I highly recommend Sandra Q. if you are looking for the someone who honestly cares about you and the journey you are on. Remember, there’s ultimately only one way to peace in your life, and that’s to walk daily with the Prince of Peace, Christ Jesus!! *****
Read more *****I have been a patient of Sandra's for nearly 2 years now and I really can't say enough good things about her work with me. She is a true Christian counselor and that was exactly the perspective I needed to guide me down the path God was trying to lead me. She definitely strengthened my faith and made many of life's big problems seem like small speed bumps when looking at the big picture!! I highly recommend Sandra Q. if you are looking for the someone who honestly cares about you and the journey you are on. Remember, there’s ultimately only one way to peace in your life, and that’s to walk daily with the Prince of Peace, Christ Jesus!! *****
Birmingham Sep 2018
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
I really enjoyed meeting Melissa. It was easy to converse with her. She was very professional but completely relatable too. I would definitely recommend Thriveworks!
Read more I really enjoyed meeting Melissa. It was easy to converse with her. She was very professional but completely relatable too. I would definitely recommend Thriveworks!
Birmingham Jul 2018
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
Much Gratitude Christine, You're helping me become the best version of myself. The self I've always pictured the vision is clear and I am ready to LIVE!!
Read more Much Gratitude Christine, You're helping me become the best version of myself. The self I've always pictured the vision is clear and I am ready to LIVE!!
Birmingham Jul 2018
Review left on Thriveworks.com
☆☆☆☆
The doctor (PhD) I saw for therapy decided, on the second session, to pay more attention to doing things on his phone than to listening to me. He thought he was hiding what he was doing behind his portfolio, but he was not. I could see the reflection of what he was doing, and he was looking down more than up. He was pretending to listen but didn't do a very good job of that, because when I stopped talking, he would incorrectly try to restate what I said or, make a comment on what I said which turned out to not be relevant because it was clear he wasn't listening. He did not seem to want to be there. It was a horrible experience. I called the next day to complain to the lady on the phone, and got a sincere "I'm sorry" and that's it. When I got the bill (very expensive, by the way), I have been attempting to call the office to pay it over the phone but I keep getting told that the people that do the billing are currently busy and that I should call back. It should not be that difficult for someone to take a credit card number and apply it to my bill, especially a bill I shouldn't have to pay due to horrible service. I hope the other therapists at Thriveworks are better than the one I selected, and actually have interest in helping their patients.
Read more The doctor (PhD) I saw for therapy decided, on the second session, to pay more attention to doing things on his phone than to listening to me. He thought he was hiding what he was doing behind his portfolio, but he was not. I could see the reflection of what he was doing, and he was looking down more than up. He was pretending to listen but didn't do a very good job of that, because when I stopped talking, he would incorrectly try to restate what I said or, make a comment on what I said which turned out to not be relevant because it was clear he wasn't listening. He did not seem to want to be there. It was a horrible experience. I called the next day to complain to the lady on the phone, and got a sincere "I'm sorry" and that's it. When I got the bill (very expensive, by the way), I have been attempting to call the office to pay it over the phone but I keep getting told that the people that do the billing are currently busy and that I should call back. It should not be that difficult for someone to take a credit card number and apply it to my bill, especially a bill I shouldn't have to pay due to horrible service. I hope the other therapists at Thriveworks are better than the one I selected, and actually have interest in helping their patients.
Birmingham Apr 2018
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
We couldn't be happier with the staff and help we have received for our family at the practice. Christine has been particularly helpful in assisting myself and our family get back on track.
Read more We couldn't be happier with the staff and help we have received for our family at the practice. Christine has been particularly helpful in assisting myself and our family get back on track.
Birmingham Apr 2017
Review left on Thriveworks.com

Where to find us

Getting here

Thriveworks Counseling & Psychiatry Birmingham is located at the intersection of Lahser Road and 13 Mile Road. We currently share the building with CareFirst and Byram Healthcare, among other businesses. Across Lahser Road, you will find the Detroit County Day School.

Phone number

(248) 422-1479

Languages spoken by MI providers

  • English
Friday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Saturday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Sunday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Monday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Tuesday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Wednesday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Thursday 8:00am - 9:00pm

Shown in ET

Friday 7:00am - 9:30pm
Saturday 7:00am - 6:00pm
Sunday 8:00am - 5:00pm
Monday 7:00am - 9:30pm
Tuesday 7:00am - 9:30pm
Wednesday 7:00am - 9:30pm
Thursday 7:00am - 9:30pm

Shown in ET

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