Sunstone Counseling

Play therapy is the primary approach we use to work with younger children. Young children’s natural language is play. Play therapy and more interactive counseling are more aligned with the natural way children express themselves and communicate about their relationships with others. Approaching children this way helps them to openly communicate and more easily resolve troubling issues, express feelings, develop problem-solving skills, learn new ways of relating to others, and modify behaviors. Our counselors work closely with parents and caregivers to collaborate as a team to support the emotional growth of children.

Adolescence can be a time of turmoil and difficult changes. Developing a relationship with a counselor during this stage of life can offer adolescents an opportunity to authentically express themselves and process their emotions in a safe and supportive atmosphere. It is common for adolescents to experience low self-esteem, self-doubt, concerns about body image, anxiety, depression, difficulties within relationships, and difficulties in handling conflicts. Counseling can help teens discover their strengths, encourage self-reflection, visualize how things can be different, and empower them to develop in healthy and productive ways.

Many couples are looking for ways to develop stronger, more vibrant relationships, and find themselves dealing with a wide variety of challenges in the process. Sunstone’s couples counselors have extensive training and experience to help couples improve the quality of their relationships.

We integrate the work of John and Julie Gottman, Sue Johnson (Emotionally Focused Therapy), and Harville and Helen Hendrix (Imago) to approach our work with couples. We accomplish this by creating an environment in the counseling session that allows each person to be heard and understood at a deeper emotional level. We help couples find not only emotionally, but also sexually satisfying lives pulling in work from Barry McCarthy, Tammy Nelson, and Esther Perel, to name a few.

We believe the role of the couples counselor is to create a safe, compassionate, and trusting environment, and to facilitate productive conversations that lead to desired outcomes. Your couples counselor will listen to understand what you and your partner hope to achieve through counseling, and then will collaboratively work on achieving your unique, personal, and intimate relationship goals.

Several counselors are trained in the Gottman approach to couples counseling and can offer a “Relationship Check Up” as part of therapy.

Family dynamics can often be challenging. Sunstone Counseling offers a broad range of support to families in need. We recognize that difficult communication can create stress, tension, or misunderstanding within families. Our approach to family therapy usually includes all the family members in a group session to create an environment in which everyone’s thoughts and emotions are valued and respected. Family therapy sessions have rules for safe and open communication between family members, which allows everyone to express their emotions in a secure, respected, and controlled manner. Through family dialogue, the group uses problem solving, role identification, and reflective listening to develop support, compassion, and understanding for each other. Sunstone counselors will work with families to ensure each person’s viewpoints are considered and that a long-lasting solution has been reached for their particular situation.

Sunstone Counseling offers a variety of groups to help individuals who might benefit from processing life’s challenges with others experiencing similar issues. Whether you’re grappling with your relationship with a substance, your relationship with your partner, or yourself, you’re not alone.

Many people experience a sense of relief as soon as they join a group and realize they are not alone in their struggles. Groups provide a sounding board, structure for accountability, and a container for difficult conversations or emotions. Group members find that sharing is an integral step in healing. The group process facilitates giving and receiving support in a safe environment with the opportunity to practice vulnerability and healthy boundaries.
To see all the groups we offer visit www.sunstonecounselors.com/group-counseling/

Sunstone Counseling sponsors, participates in, and facilitates a variety of workshops and retreats, which provide the opportunity for individuals to gather and explore a variety of topics and experiences in a facilitated, interactive discussion.
To see the workshops and retreats we offer visit www.sunstonecounselors.com/workshops-retreats/