Image of a therapist and client in a counseling session.

25,282 people sought family therapy help in Virginia in the last year

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

Meet with a provider as soon as this week

Good news! We have 135 therapists in Virginia available for an online or in-person session.
Sam Cowart

Hear from Sam Cowart, Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)

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What is your go-to approach for family therapy?

It is best to establish some agreed-upon ground rules and overall goals to work on since it is assumed there will be multiple people in a session. There are many different approaches to family therapy; it is best to make sure that everyone is participating and feels heard, which can involve activities and/or games in a session. It is also helpful to have a family think about how they want their family to operate rather than focusing on what they don't want things to look like.

What tools do you teach in family therapy?

I have taught active listening skills, levels of validation, assertive communication skills, and “I” statements in family sessions.

How do you know when a client is making meaningful progress in family therapy?

I know that clients are making meaningful progress in family therapy when they are listening to each other with an intent to understand; they are communicating using assertive communication skills; and they genuinely appear to be getting along well, understanding each other, and enjoying their time together outside of sessions.

What can clients do in their personal time to supplement family therapy?

Clients can practice skills learned in therapy outside of sessions as well as spend positive quality time together engaging in activities that are fun for them.

What should someone do to prepare for starting family therapy?

To prepare for their first session, a family can expect a counselor to go over agreed-upon ground rules and family goals that include everyone's input.

Starting Family therapy

What is family therapy?

Family therapy helps families resolve conflicts and strengthen their relationships. It is led by qualified mental health professionals like psychologists, licensed professional counselors (LPCs), and licensed clinical social workers (LCSWs) who have extensive training in family dynamics and group communication.

How does family therapy work?

Thriveworks family therapists in Blacksburg, VA usually begin by asking what everyone’s goals are for family counseling. Family members may need help with very specific issues or with general relationship functioning. But there are three main purposes in family counseling: to educate, to counsel, and to strengthen. Thriveworks also offers online family therapy and in-person services, so you may all meet in an office together or join a video call from your home depending on everyone’s location and availability.

What is the most effective family therapy?

The most effective form of Family therapy will often depend on the family itself, as there are many types of family therapy for therapists to use as they see fit in order to best meet the needs of their clients. However, one of the most commonly used types of family therapy is structural family therapy (SFT). SFT focuses specifically on family dynamics and interactions, looking at how they shape the relationships and structure present in the family. It can be effectively used to treat a variety of concerns.

How do I know if my family needs therapy?

This answer often looks different to each family that starts family therapy. However, some signs that your family might need to consider family counseling include frequent fights or misunderstandings, constant tension, experiencing loss, behavioral issues, marital issues, divorce, and blended family issues, among others.

What is included in family therapy?

In family therapy, therapists will often start by asking questions and assessing individual and family dynamics. From there, they may employ therapeutic techniques such as structured family therapy, CBT, strategic family therapy, and more depending on the present concerns and conflicts. From there, a therapist will work to open lines of communication between family members and facilitate emotional healing and growth.

What is the success rate of family therapy?

Family therapy can be incredibly successful, with some studies reporting a success rate of almost 90% for improving participants’ emotional and mental health, and around 66% for improving their physical health.

Is family therapy conducted in person or online?

Thriveworks therapists in Blacksburg, VA offer both online family therapy and in-person family therapy. We encourage you to choose the option that works best for you.

How long does family therapy last?

Family therapy is usually short term and solution-focused, with most families accomplishing their goals in 12 sessions or fewer. However, it can also last for longer if the probles at hand are more complex — and that’s okay, too.

Need more help deciding?

Family Counseling – Therapists and Counselors in Blacksburg, VA

Early on, we learn our social skills, speech and communication skills, and even relationship skills within the family we grow up in. Our perspectives and observations about the world are usually formed within the family unit as well. Certainly many traditions, preferences, and even biases are influenced by our family unit and setting.

For better or worse, we also learn how to love, and interact with others early on from within the framework of those within our family structure. If you are experiencing any struggles as a result of past or current experiences with your family, consider reaching out to Thriveworks Blacksburg for help. We have family therapists here to support you.

Reasons to Seek Family Therapy

Maybe your family unit is in turmoil for one of these reasons:

  • divorce
  • a family member struggling with health issues
  • relocation to a new house or even an entirely new community
  • job loss
  • incarceration of a family member
  • a new sibling has joined the family, including a birth, adoption, foster children, or even a grandparent
  • domestic violence
  • substance abuse by a parent or child
  • problems at school
  • in-law conflicts

Whatever your concerns regarding your family and those within your family unit, Thriveworks Counseling Blacksburg VA is here to help. We know that if even one member of the family is struggling, it can throw the whole family unit out of balance. Feelings of stress or conflict manifest differently with each person, and can disrupt the unity and harmony we strive for in a family. So if you believe that your family is in, or on the verge of crisis, it’s a good time to let us give you the caring support you want and need.

How Does Family Therapy at Thriveworks Blacksburg Work?

We strive to assist your family in becoming more aware of the often overlooked dynamics that may be causing power struggles, on-going tension, discontent. We encourage individuals to better express their feelings in a healthy productive way, as well as teach each family member how to better hear and listen to the others.

Our counselors can work with you to strengthen your family. We can help you to work through crisis situations, as well as equip you to deal with challenges that may arise in the future. Often we’re able to assist you in improving the systems of interactions between your family members. We also know that it’s not always possible, or even necessary, for all family members to attend counseling. That’s ok. We understand. We’re often able to work with any willing participants to strengthen the family system from within.

Scheduling Family Therapy at Thriveworks Blacksburg

Call us today at (540) 376-3348.. Here at Thriveworks counseling Blacksburg VA, you won’t have to wait months or even weeks. Often you’ll be able to see someone the same day or the next. We’re here to help. Now. We accept most insurances, and our extended office hours can almost always accommodate your various scheduling needs.

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 Blacksburg therapists and counselors accept 32 insurance plans

  • Aetna

  • Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Connecticut | BCBS

  • Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Virginia Medicare Advantage

  • Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Virginia | BCBS PPO

  • Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas HMO

  • Blue Cross Blue Shield | Anthem (Blue Card)

  • CareFirst Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Virginia | BCBS HMO

  • CareFirst Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Virginia | BCBS PPO

  • Carelon

  • Cigna | Evernorth

  • Cigna | Evernorth EAP

  • Cigna | Evernorth Medicare Advantage

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Self-pay costs at Blacksburg
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 Blacksburg reviews are collected through Thriveworks.com.
★★★★★
So nice, reassuring, helpful for what I needed. Explained everything very well. I feel I don’t have a bunch of questions I should have asked.
Read more So nice, reassuring, helpful for what I needed. Explained everything very well. I feel I don’t have a bunch of questions I should have asked.
Blacksburg May 2020
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
Turns out our councilor in Blacksburg is working out great! This was a good idea. Highly recommend! Kudo's to Kelly.
Read more Turns out our councilor in Blacksburg is working out great! This was a good idea. Highly recommend! Kudo's to Kelly.
Blacksburg Jan 2020
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
We have been providing the billing services to Thriveworks Blacksburgs for a good period of time now, we have had excellent professional relationship with all the staff there. They are true professional, always provide us the helping hand. And are very efficient is providing response to any query of questions. It is truly amazing working with them.
Read more We have been providing the billing services to Thriveworks Blacksburgs for a good period of time now, we have had excellent professional relationship with all the staff there. They are true professional, always provide us the helping hand. And are very efficient is providing response to any query of questions. It is truly amazing working with them.
Blacksburg Jun 2019
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
When I arrived at the Blacksburg office for counseling I got a peaceful feeling. The paper work was not daunting and my counselor greeted me in a friendly and professional manner.
Read more When I arrived at the Blacksburg office for counseling I got a peaceful feeling. The paper work was not daunting and my counselor greeted me in a friendly and professional manner.
Blacksburg Aug 2018
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
I appreciated the location of the Blacksburg office. It's a pleasant place, just off the highway and feels safe. While I waited I was met by pleasant staff and refreshments.
Read more I appreciated the location of the Blacksburg office. It's a pleasant place, just off the highway and feels safe. While I waited I was met by pleasant staff and refreshments.
Blacksburg Aug 2018
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
The waiting room was so inviting and the counselor had recognized me that made me feel very comfortable. I was tense from the unknown of therapy and it was so good to be "humanized."
Read more The waiting room was so inviting and the counselor had recognized me that made me feel very comfortable. I was tense from the unknown of therapy and it was so good to be "humanized."
Blacksburg Aug 2018
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
I met the Thriveworks owner to inquire about the services offered. She was very helpful with her answers, she was very patient as she gave me her time and focus, and made me feel entirely at "home."
Read more I met the Thriveworks owner to inquire about the services offered. She was very helpful with her answers, she was very patient as she gave me her time and focus, and made me feel entirely at "home."
Blacksburg Apr 2018
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
Close to downtown Blacksburg and easy to get a hold of. Just what is needed for this area.
Blacksburg Dec 2017
Review left on Thriveworks.com

Where to find us

Getting here

We share a building with several other businesses including Fresenius Kidney Care Montgomery County, the Islamic Center of Blacksburg, and Thermostats Service and Repair Company. Next door to us Robinson, Farmer, and Cox Associates, an account service. Nearby is also a Courtyard by Marriott hotel and Park Commercial Realty.

Phone number

(540) 361-6270

Languages spoken by VA providers

  • English
  • Spanish
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
Friday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Saturday 8:00am - 9:00pm

Shown in ET

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
Friday 7:00am - 9:30pm
Saturday 7:00am - 6:00pm

Shown in ET

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