WE’RE HIRING!
Come join our team of 2000+ clinicians
FEATURED ARTICLE
A comprehensive guide to starting therapy
Book my first session
96% of clients feel supported and understood by their therapist
Get expert medication support, tailored to you
Check my copay estimate
Sessions cost $24 on average with insurance
Discover how starting family therapy can support your own journey toward a happier, more fulfilling life.
3 therapists available in Philadelphia
I have 30 years of experience in various forms of therapy and am open to using any therapeutic techniques that would help....
About
I have 30 years of experience in various forms of therapy and am open to using any therapeutic techniques that would help.
MaryAlyce Rensa is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in the state of Pennsylvania, who has 30 years of experience counseling adults, teens, and children seeking help with anxiety, depression, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and trauma.
MaryAlyce completed her Bachelor of Science in Psychology from University of MD, University College, and received her Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology from Towson University in Towson, MD. She utilizes cognitive behavior approaches including rational emotive behavior therapy and other strength-based, collaborative, and solution-focused approaches. MaryAlyce specializes in the creative use of games, art, and music for helping clients to develop insight into their feelings, thoughts, and behaviors, and she is flexible in doing “whatever works” to best meet the needs of her clients.
MaryAlyce often gives homework on self-help activities and encourages participation in the therapeutic activities in sessions. She seeks to establish an open-minded, warm, honest, and caring relationship with you in order to assist in helping you learn to cope with your feelings in healthier ways, to understand and adjust your thoughts to improve your self-esteem and confidence, to build problem-solving skills so you can better help yourself in your life long goals.
Education and training
View more therapists in Philadelphia
As a clinical psychologist, I enjoy working with my clients to help them solve their problems and utilize coping skills....
As a clinical psychologist, I enjoy working with my clients to help them solve their problems and utilize coping skills.
Marcy Shoemaker is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist with 14 years of experience who works with diverse clients of all ages. She specializes in supporting individuals through career transitions, life stressors, anger, anxiety, depression, parenting, self-esteem issues, bipolar disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Marcy’s ideal client is open and honest and not hesitant to give feedback on the direction of their therapeutic journey. She believes there is no perfect type of therapy and takes an eclectic approach, working with clients to discuss feelings, problem-solve, and develop coping skills.
Marcy received her Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. Among the methods she uses are cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, emotionally focused therapy, family systems, motivational interviewing, and mindfulness techniques.
During hard times, it is helpful to have an unbiased third party to listen without judgment. Marcy is ready to be the supportive ear that guides you through your issues and helps you to reach your goals. If you are ready to begin, schedule an appointment today!
Jacquelyn Farasat is a Licensed Professional Counselor. She holds National Counselor Certification and is also a Certified Clinic...
Jacquelyn Farasat is a Licensed Professional Counselor. She holds National Counselor Certification and is also a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional. She has 8 years of experience supporting the emotional, social, and personal growth and well-being of children, adolescents, and adults in both individual and group formats.
Jacquelyn has a Master’s degree in Counseling and a Master’s degree in Education. She strives to develop a caring relationship with the client that is built on trust, respect, and collaboration. Jacquelyn integrates mindfulness, cognitive behavioral therapy, and motivational interviewing with a strengths-based, person-centered approach to support the client in becoming his/her best self. When working with children and families, she often uses play therapy to foster relational skills, develop emotional awareness and self-regulation skills, and promote positive problem-solving.
Jacquelyn recognizes that each client has a unique set of strengths, desires, and needs. Thus, she continually maintains flexibility and tailors strategies in response to the client’s needs and personal goals. Her goal is to encourage and empower you throughout your journey to becoming.
You deserve dedicated time with a mental health professional — it can be life-changing.
Not ready to book? Contact me
Look for a confirmation email in your inbox shortly. We'll help find you a provider and guide you through everything you should know about starting care at Thriveworks.
No membership fees or subscriptions
Evening and weekend sessions
Award-winning therapy & psychiatry
What support are you seeking?
You acknowledge that by submitting this form, you are providing what may be considered “sensitive data” and consent to Thriveworks Privacy Policy & Terms. By submitting this information, you consent to receive communication from Thriveworks about our services via automatic calls, artificial or pre-recorded messages, or texts at the phone number provided, or by email at the address provided. You have the option to opt out of communications.
We will contact you with availability updates based on the preferences you provided for up to six months.
Family therapy, like individual therapy, starts with a comprehensive assessment. During this assessment, I help the family identify some of the dynamics in the relationships that contribute to the distress that led the family to therapy. Oftentimes, families come to therapy due to problems with communication and conflict. Communication and conflict resolution skill-building is an important factor for successful outcomes. Through “enactments,” family members practice talking through real issues that impact members of the family with the help of a therapist. The therapist plays many roles, including guide, mediator, teacher, and referee. Other exercises such as working to help family members build empathy with one another help bring a greater sense of ease within the family structure.
In family therapy, I introduce communication and conflict resolution skills such as reflective listening, taking responsibility, validation, compromise, and emotional regulation.
I know a client is making meaningful progress in family therapy when they and their family meet the treatment goals and objectives consistently. This often involves a decrease in conflict and greater success with positive family interactions.
To supplement family therapy, families can make a point to devote quality time to engaging in activities with one another.
To prepare for their first family therapy session, an individual should come prepared to take emotional risks with the hope that these risks lead to greater family functioning.
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.
Thriveworks family therapists in Philadelphia, PA 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Thriveworks therapists in Philadelphia, PA offer both online family therapy and in-person family therapy. We encourage you to choose the option that works best for you.
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.
Includes individual, couples, child/ teen, & family therapy
Includes reducing symptoms with medication & management
Shown in ET
Call us to book
Our team is happy to help you schedule your first session.
Book online
Find the right provider for you. Book your session online yourself in just a few easy steps.