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 93 therapists in Virginia available for an online or in-person session.

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 McLean, 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 McLean, 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?

The Proud Family, the Huxtables, the Tanners, the Bradys, the Flintstones.  Did you follow the lives of any of these families?  All of these families are from well-known TV shows centered around their family dynamic that many aspired to achieve.  And even though these families are most known for their entertaining lives, they too experienced hardships and struggles as a unit.  No family is perfect—each and every one experiences something that shakes their foundation. What’s important, however, is not letting your foundation break.

Family is a powerful cultural value for many people no matter the size—whether their family consists of 5, 15, or 50 people.  As humans, we long for a loving relationship with those we care about.  When families thrive, each member of that family is affected in a positive way. Two things are true for all families: 1) Every family will experience change or adversity, and 2) How it responds to change and adversity will determine its ability to maintain healthy, lasting bonds. Here at Thriveworks McLean in Fairfax, our therapists and psychologists can help your family manage adversity to create a long-lasting healthy family dynamic.

What Might Necessitate Family Therapy?

Most families you know probably seem to be doing alright. In actuality, every family will endure a hardship, and these hard times can either make or break a family.

Crises can change life in an instant, that’s reality. And sometimes a hard dose of reality can be scary.  When unforeseen events happen to one family member, it shakes the entire family. When crises blindside a family, a therapist can work to help mend their brokenness.  Unexpected disruptions can include:

  • A family member’s death
  • An accident that results in a disability or injury
  • Losing the family’s home
  • A financial disruption
  • Job loss

These are all unforeseen events.  Some families, however, have problems that start out as minor and manageable.  But when left unaddressed, they can turn into challenges that are hard to overcome.  Examples of these challenges can be:

  • Resolving marital conflict
  • Caring for a physically ill or special-needs family member
  • Addressing mental illness
  • Working through parenting challenges

The list could go on and on.  When small obstacles start to arise, it’s important to take care of them before they build upon one another until the small obstacles turn into a mountain to climb.

How Can Family Therapy Help?

Issues that arise within a family can be hard to overcome. If you get to a point where you feel like no progress can be made, reach out for help.  Family therapy can be just what your family needs to start on a path towards mending things that are broken and growing together.  Sometimes communication is lacking, or maybe your family doesn’t know where things went wrong—that’s where a clinician at Thriveworks McLean in Fairfax can come in and help.  A skilled therapist or psychologist may be able to…

  • Facilitate healthy communication.
  • Equip each family member to articulate their needs.
  • Guide each member on how to support others in the family.
  • Use integrated and calming techniques to resolve differences or tension between individual family members.

A family therapist can help get to the root of your family’s problem(s). They can then look at the bigger picture before proposing workable solutions.

Thriveworks McLean Is Here to Help

Is your family’s foundation starting to crack? Let us help your family fill the cracks before the foundation breaks completely.  Family is important to so many people, and at Thriveworks McLean, we want to help shape families into strong units.  Let’s work together to open communication lines, resolve conflicts, and help families grow together.

At Thriveworks McLean, we have a “no waiting list” policy—new clients can even have an appointment within 24 hours.  We want to help whoever we can, that’s why we partner with many different insurance plans, and we offer flexible hours for those people who can’t make an appointment during “normal” business hours.

Our clinicians are ready to help your family with whatever it is that is challenging you – whether you know exactly what it is or not.  They have the tools to help you and your family thrive.  Call Thriveworks McLean in Fairfax today to set up your first appointment at (571) 589-4042.

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 Virginia therapists and counselors accept 34 insurance plans

  • Aetna

  • Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Virginia Medicare Advantage

  • Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Virginia | BCBS HMO

  • Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Virginia | BCBS PPO

  • Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Virginia | Exchange

  • 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

  • CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield DC | BCBS PPO

  • Carelon

  • Christus Health Plan Exchange

  • Christus Health Plan Medicare Advantage

Show more
Self-pay costs at McLean
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

5.0 Learn about verified reviews
★★★★★
My therapist is great. They aren't pushy and just ask questions that get me thinking. I feel like I am getting a little guidance to help me find my own path rather than being lead in a predetermined direction.
Read more My therapist is great. They aren't pushy and just ask questions that get me thinking. I feel like I am getting a little guidance to help me find my own path rather than being lead in a predetermined direction.
Benjamin Jan 2024
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
Anna is incredibly respectful, professional, and compassionate. She has a strong dedication to operational and clinical excellence. Anna has proven successful outcomes for clients that she has treated. Anna is extremely knowledgeable with numerous clinics interventions and modalities. Her drive to help others is unmatched, and I believe she would make an excellent addition to the thrive works community.
Read more Anna is incredibly respectful, professional, and compassionate. She has a strong dedication to operational and clinical excellence. Anna has proven successful outcomes for clients that she has treated. Anna is extremely knowledgeable with numerous clinics interventions and modalities. Her drive to help others is unmatched, and I believe she would make an excellent addition to the thrive works community.
McLean Jan 2020
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
Anna is wonderful! She brings her kindness, humor and tons of experience to her counseling relationships, and yet in her kind way she also knows when to call it how she sees it in a way that does not make you feel judged and makes you feel understood. Highly recommend.
Read more Anna is wonderful! She brings her kindness, humor and tons of experience to her counseling relationships, and yet in her kind way she also knows when to call it how she sees it in a way that does not make you feel judged and makes you feel understood. Highly recommend.
McLean Jan 2020
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
As a colleague, I cannot recommend Anna enough to anyone looking for a therapist. I have worked with Anna for years and trust her completely. Anna is warm, welcoming, and professional. She also has a multitude of experience working with diverse populations and is eclectic in her approach, getting to know her clients and utilizing tools and skills that she know will work best for their situation.
Read more As a colleague, I cannot recommend Anna enough to anyone looking for a therapist. I have worked with Anna for years and trust her completely. Anna is warm, welcoming, and professional. She also has a multitude of experience working with diverse populations and is eclectic in her approach, getting to know her clients and utilizing tools and skills that she know will work best for their situation.
McLean Jan 2020
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
Are you looking for an excellent therapist? I cannot recommend Anna Sihon enough. She's open, patient, non-judgemental, has a great sense of humor, and is extremely culturally competent (especially with the Latinx community).
Read more Are you looking for an excellent therapist? I cannot recommend Anna Sihon enough. She's open, patient, non-judgemental, has a great sense of humor, and is extremely culturally competent (especially with the Latinx community).
McLean Dec 2019
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
I have worked with Dr. Jonies Thomas over the years in a professional capacity, and have only good things about her. She has an engaging and patient interpersonal style that resonated with our patients. She brings a wealth of knowledge and wisdom to any interaction, and it is clear that she is passionate about what she does.
Read more I have worked with Dr. Jonies Thomas over the years in a professional capacity, and have only good things about her. She has an engaging and patient interpersonal style that resonated with our patients. She brings a wealth of knowledge and wisdom to any interaction, and it is clear that she is passionate about what she does.
McLean Jul 2019
Review left on Thriveworks.com

Where to find us

Getting here

Thriveworks Counseling & Psychiatry McLean is located off of Dolley Madison Blvd., at the intersection of Old Chain Bridge Rd and Fleetwood Rd., in Suite 3D-2. We share a building with two real estate agents from Long and Foster Real Estate.

Phone number

(571) 200-5518

Languages spoken by VA providers

  • English
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
Friday 8:00am - 9:00pm

Shown in ET

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
Friday 7:00am - 9:30pm

Shown in ET

20 photos