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219-213-6009

Family Therapy in
North West Indiana

Animal-Assisted Counseling of North West Indiana offers family therapy to help people address their challenges, improve communication, and strengthen relationships. Our licensed professionals, Dr. Julie and Kimberly, use certified canine co-therapists during counseling sessions to facilitate conversations and provide comfort. Their furry assistants create a safe space for healing and growth. Through the presence of canine co-therapists, we strengthen family bonds and promote emotional resilience, helping all members find better ways to interact with each other.

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What Is Family
Therapy?

Family therapy is a form of psychological counseling that involves meeting with multiple family members to address interpersonal issues and improve communication. It offers a safe and supportive environment for people to address challenges and strengthen relationships. Our counseling sessions focus on building resilience, enhancing communication skills, and fostering harmony among all members. With the support of our compassionate therapists and amazing dogs, families overcome challenges and create stronger, more cohesive bonds.

Family Therapy Approaches

Group Therapy

Dog-assisted group counseling is an effective approach to family therapy. Interacting with a friendly animal in a relaxed setting helps people reduce stress and anxiety. They often find it easier to open up and communicate constructively when the therapy dog is present. Our four-legged companion also serves as a comforting, non-judgmental source of support. Group activities with the canine co-therapist facilitate positive social interactions and relationship-building. Over time, these healthy communication patterns and emotional bonds within the family strengthen and become more fulfilling.

Traditional Therapy

Traditional individual counseling is another approach used by Dr. Julie and Kimberly to address family issues and facilitate improved communication and relationships. Our therapist meets one-on-one with a family member to explore their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors related to their everyday life in the family.
Bringing a trained dog into these individual counseling sessions provides additional benefits. For example, interacting with the furry companion can create a more positive and comfortable atmosphere that allows the patient to open up. Additionally, conversations with our amazing dogs help people to disclose the feelings they may not be comfortable sharing directly with the therapist.
Overall, incorporating a trained animal into individual therapy sessions can motivate engagement, lower stress, and lead to breakthroughs for patients working through family issues. The dog’s presence facilitates rapport building and progress that may be more difficult to achieve in standard talk therapy.
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Couples Therapy

Animal-assisted couples therapy is a unique and effective approach to addressing dysfunctional family dynamics. A friendly dog can encourage open communication between partners. Our therapist uses her four-legged companion in role-playing exercises or metaphorical discussions to gain insight into relationship issues. Overall, incorporating a therapy dog into couples counseling improves communication, empathy building, and conflict resolution, helping to strengthen bonds within many families.
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Family Therapy Approaches

Group Therapy
Dog-assisted group counseling is an effective approach to family therapy. Interacting with a friendly animal in a relaxed setting helps people reduce stress and anxiety. They often find it easier to open up and communicate constructively when the therapy dog is present. Our four-legged companion also serves as a comforting, non-judgmental source of support. Group activities with the therapy dog facilitate positive social interactions and relationship-building. Over time, these healthy communication patterns and emotional bonds within the family strengthen and become more fulfilling.
Traditional individual counseling is another approach used by Dr. Julie and Kimberly to address family issues and facilitate improved communication and relationships. Our therapist meets one-on-one with a family member to explore their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors related to their everyday life in the family.
Bringing a trained dog into these individual counseling sessions provides additional benefits. For example, interacting with the furry companion can create a more positive and comfortable atmosphere that allows the patient to open up. Additionally, conversations with our amazing dogs help people to disclose the feelings they may not be comfortable sharing directly with the therapist.
Overall, incorporating a trained animal into individual therapy sessions can motivate engagement, lower stress, and lead to breakthroughs for patients working through family issues. The dog’s presence facilitates rapport building and progress that may be more difficult to achieve in standard talk therapy.
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Animal-assisted couples therapy is a unique and effective approach to addressing dysfunctional family dynamics. A friendly dog can encourage open communication between partners. Our therapist uses her four-legged companion in role-playing exercises or metaphorical discussions to gain insight into relationship issues. Overall, incorporating a therapy dog into couples counseling improves communication, empathy building, and conflict resolution, helping to strengthen bonds within many families.
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Families With Communication Challenges

Dog-assisted family therapy may be especially helpful for families struggling with communication issues and problems in expressing emotions. The presence of the lovely animal facilitates conversations and provides comfort, helping patients focus on positive change.

Families With High Stress or Anxiety

Interacting with a therapy companion may have a calming effect, which is crucial for families that deal with stressful situations or high levels of anxiety. The dog's unconditional positive regard can lower tensions between family members and help them overcome negative patterns in their thoughts and behaviors.

Families Where All Members Are Open to Interactions With the Dog

While one or two enthusiastic family members may convince others, dog-assisted therapy works best when everyone is open to incorporating our furry friend into their sessions. Any intense fears, phobias, or allergies can undermine the effectiveness of our counseling.

Families With Children or Adolescents

The novelty and fun of interacting with the therapy dog may be especially helpful for engaging children and teenagers in the treatment process. Using our companion, we can model desired behaviors in a non-judgmental way.

Candidates for Dog-Assisted Family Therapy

"Sometimes the Best Medicine Is a Dog Who Believes Their Love Will Heal You."

- DR. JULIANN STEINBEIGLE

Benefits of Animal-Assisted Family Therapy

Icon Enhanced Emotional Connection

Having a dog present during family therapy sessions helps family members open up and bond with each other. This positive atmosphere makes people feel more comfortable expressing themselves and dealing with life transitions. The shared experience of connecting with the dog may help to build trust and understanding between family members, enhancing their emotional connection. The therapy dog serves as a bridge to bring people together.

Our furry assistants can help to reduce feelings of stress and anxiety. Interacting with the calm, friendly animal provides a positive distraction that can diffuse tension. Family members may relax as they pet or play with the dog. Its ha

ppy demeanor can lighten the mood, making difficult conversations seem less intimidating. Overall, the therapy dog’s presence helps to create a more comfortable environment where family members feel less anxious and stressed. As a result, they become more receptive to the counseling process.

Having an animal assistant during family therapy can increase motivation and engagement. Family members may be more eager and excited to attend our sessions when they know that a dog will be there. The dog is a pleasant distraction that keeps everybody engaged so the therapist can better reach each person.
The presence of a therapy animal during family counseling sessions can lead to better treatment results. People often find it easier to express vulnerabilities, engage in meaningful dialogue, and gain insight into each other’s perspectives with a dog in the room. By facilitating increased understanding and connection among family members, therapy animals help us achieve more progress toward our counseling goals.
The dog’s interactions with the therapist and family members can demonstrate healthy communication and appropriate physical contact. Our patients observe the animal responding positively to gentle touch, warm tone of voice, and respectful commands. This can model constructive relationship behaviors for families struggling with appropriate boundaries, anger issues, or power struggles between parents and children or partners. Watching the dog relax and participate enthusiastically in the session by fetching toys or following commands can motivate family members to actively engage in the process. Over the course of treatment, they can learn from the dog’s resilience and consistent capacity for unconditional positive regard.
The presence of a therapy animal can provide critical social and emotional support for more vulnerable members of families undergoing counseling. For children, adolescents, and elderly relatives participating in therapy, interaction with a friendly dog helps to mitigate feelings of anxiety, isolation, or discomfort that might otherwise prevent them from engaging openly. Our four-legged companion is a source of reassurance and validation that can enable participation from those who most need to be heard.
Animal assistants facilitate better communication among family members. They provide a comforting, calming presence that makes people feel at ease. When stroking or playing with the therapy dog, family members may find it less intimidating to express thoughts and share life experiences. The animal acts as a positive mutual focus that improves the flow of dialogue. Family members learn to communicate more constructively when they interact with the therapy dog together.
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Cost of Family Therapy in North West Indiana

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The cost of dog-assisted family therapy in North West Indiana ranges from $100 to $300 per session. Some key factors influencing the price are the therapist’s experience level and credentials, the length and frequency of sessions, and whether it is conducted in an office, clinic, or home setting. Our practitioners charge less per session for packages or commitments involving multiple appointments over a period of time.

Overall, our specialized therapy is an affordable option relative to other types of family counseling or animal-assisted interventions. We help patients verify their insurance benefits and facilitate all financial transactions. Each person is supported every step of the way.

How Is Our Family Therapy
Different From Others?

Best Family Therapists

Our canine-assisted sessions are conducted by licensed therapists. Dr. Julie and Kimberly work with certified four-legged helpers who love people and can satisfy each patient's needs. We develop personalized treatment plans tailored to the unique requirements of every family member.

Deep Expertise

Animal-Assisted Counseling of Indiana specializes in treating anxiety, depression, and addiction. Dr. Julie has over 20 years of experience helping clients uncover the root causes of their psychological problems to build strength and resilience. Kimberly received comprehensive training in many therapeutic settings. She is an expert in providing personalized mental health and addiction treatment.

A Wide Range of Insurance Plans

We accept insurance plans from major providers, including Aetna, BCBS, Cigna, Humana, Multiplan PHCS IN, Tricare East, and United Healthcare. Our practice also processes out-of-network plans and offers cash payment options. We will do everything to accommodate each patient's preferences and goals. The main goal of our therapy services is to empower clients and make their families strong, supportive, and happy.

Use the Power of Animals for Your Self-care and Well-being.

Appointment request
Appointment request
Phone No.

219-213-6009

Fax No.

219-213-6009

Mon – Fri

9 am to 9 pm

SAT

9 am to 4pm
SUN
CLOSED!

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