Our therapists offer blended family therapy in Knoxville, TN

Blended Family Counseling in Knoxville, TN

Bringing two families together has a number of challenges, but there are untold benefits as well. Within a blended family, both parents and the children have the opportunity to learn about deep and different kinds of love. They often build resiliency and grow personally. These benefits, however, do not come without making sacrifices and working hard. Many people also need outside help, particularly from a therapist. When blending a family, it is important to take one step at a time, but what is the right next step? Skilled therapists understand the process of making a home, and they can often guide two families on how to come together well.

Whether you are starting to blend your family or whether you have been working at it for some time, consider reaching out to Thriveworks Knoxville. We have worked with a number of step families and know that it is possible to live as one, big, happy family.

What Is a Blended Family?

Sometimes called stepfamilies, there is no limited to the form a blended family can take. Here are only a few examples of blended families:

• Divorced parents with children. Often, the children live with one parent but visit the other. One or both parents may be dating.
• Remarried parents or re-coupled parents where the new partner steps into the role of step-parent without children of their own (hence, the terms stepmom, stepdad, stepsister, stepbrother, and step-family).
• Remarried or re-coupled parents where a new partner steps into the role of step-parent and also has children from a previous relationship.
• Remarried or re-coupled parents whose new partners do not step into a parenting role with their children.

When The Brady Bunch first aired in 1969, 30 percent of all first marriages ended in divorce. Today, 40 percent of all time-time marriages end in divorce, and the percentages rise for second and third-time marriages. It is no wonder that the US Census Bureau showed that 1300 new families are blended every day. Of the 60 million children under the age of 13 in the US, half are living with one biological partner and that parent’s partner. Many people are facing similar challenges, and those challenges are unique from the couple’s perspective and from the children’s perspective.

Challenges for Children in a Blended Family

Changes in their home can be stressful for children. Many times, children experience the most changes while they are able to exert the least amount of control. They may have to deal with their parent’s divorce or break-up. They may be navigating different rules in different homes. They often experience behavioral and emotional problems as they are trying to process grief, frustration, and loss.

Interacting with a new parent or new sibling can also be confusing. Children may have to navigate being in a different birth order (no long the oldest or the baby). Children may also not know what role the new parent will play in their lives. Is it ok to like their new stepparent or is that betraying the parent they do not live with? Is this new adult taking on a parenting role or are they taking a less hands-on role? Without clarity and structure, children may have difficulty within a new stepfamily.

Scheduling Therapy for Blended Families at Thriveworks Knoxville

As you read about blended families, you may have recognized something that is happening in your own home. If so, you are not alone. These are common challenges, but they are also common opportunities.

Many people work with a therapist to work through the challenge and experience the deep love that can be cultivated in a blended family. If you are ready to meet with a mental health professional, the therapists at Thriveworks Knoxville are ready to meet with you. When you contact our office, your first appointment may be within the same week. We offer evening and weekend sessions, and many forms of insurance are accepted. Call today.