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Step-family counseling is professional assistance with issues that arise in stepfamilies. This form of counseling can benefit stepfamily members as they adjust to their new living situation and family dynamics. The goal of step-family counseling can be to improve communication among parents and children and between the parent's new spouse and their children.

Why is Step Family Counseling Essential?

A step-family is a very common type of blended family, consisting of one or more children whose biological parent has remarried. Currently, about 113.6 million Americans have a step-relationship. In recent years, step-families have been on the rise due to factors, such as early or unplanned pregnancies, divorce, and remarriage.

When conflict occurs in these relationships, it is often due to the intersection of parental and stepparent authority. Although there is no legal relationship between a step-parent and their stepchildren, they often take on a parenting role.

People who consider step-family counseling may identify challenges, such as:

• Conflict with the birth parent or children
• Unresolved trauma among children from abuse or neglect
• Poor communication between parents or with children
• Cultural differences, such as with culture and religion

If you want to successfully maintain a healthy and functional home environment, it is important to seek out the benefits of step-family counseling when needed. Working with a counselor will help address the problems at hand and provide guidance, support, and strategies for healing within the family unit.

Problems often arise in step-families when expectations are not communicated or are unrealistic. Step-parents can find themselves resenting the children in the new marriage if they try to assume a parenting role before establishing themselves as an authority figure.

Step-families experience unique circumstances that make it difficult for them to communicate effectively. For instance, step-children may not feel comfortable opening up to their new step-parents for fear that they will share their issues with the biological parent.

On their part, step-parents may feel like they are invading the privacy of the natural parent if they try to talk about specific details of the children's lives with them. Additionally, both parties may be hesitant to address concerns that they feel will upset the other parent or damage the relationship with them.

These are just a handful of common problems that can arise in step-families. Step-family counseling will help address these negative feelings and behaviors by providing guidance for both parent and child on appropriate ways to handle their roles within the new family unit. More importantly, counseling can help facilitate communication between both parties to ensure that all decisions are made with everyone's best interest in mind.

Conclusion

Step-families often have some pretty intense emotions and issues to work through. From resentment and anger to lack of communication and fear, it can be difficult to deal with these feelings every day without getting step-family counseling.

For more information on step-family counseling, contact a company like One Step Beyond Counseling and Wellness.