Family Therapy

 

Family Therapy Ottawa

 

Family members may deeply care for one another, but when conflicts arise, they can be emotionally taxing. Frequent disagreements—especially when they seem to occur at every turn—can create a tense and stressful home environment. In today’s complex and fast-paced world, it’s not uncommon for family members to struggle with seeing eye-to-eye. Communication and problem-solving can be ongoing challenges, but they are skills that can be developed and strengthened over time.


When conflict escalates to the point where communication becomes strained or breaks down entirely, it may be difficult for those involved to resolve issues on their own. In such cases, seeking support from a professional family counsellor can be a valuable step toward rebuilding understanding and connection. The focus in counselling is not on assigning blame, but on improving the relationship and fostering mutual respect.


Sometimes, one or more family members may be reluctant or resistant to participate in the counselling process. This is not unusual, especially when emotions are running high or when trust has been eroded. There is no universal rule for when to seek professional help, but many families find it beneficial when conflict and stress begin to affect their daily interactions. The important thing to remember is that it’s never too early—and never too late—to seek support and work toward healing.


Dr. Drahvozal's Family Therapy Team


Dr. Drahovzal and her team utilize a range of evidence-based family therapyapproaches to explore and strengthen family relationships. Sessions often begin with solution-focused therapy, which encourages individuals to take personal responsibility when developing internally motivated, constructive solutions.


Dr. Drahovzal and her team also incorporate family systems therapy and emotion-focused family therapy. Family systems work examines relational patterns and family roles, aiming to build stronger and healthier connections. Emotion-focused family therapy is particularly effective in helping parents and children foster secure, respectful, and supportive relationships where all members feel empowered. 


Finally, the sessions often include a reflection team who observe both the therapist and the family’s interactions, and then offer thoughtful insights or wonderings about patterns or dynamics that may be otherwise unnoticed. At GPS, we are committed to fostering professional development for PhD-level psychologists in training, including through practicums and internships. As part of this commitment, some of our trainees participate in the reflection teams, offering an added support to the families we serve. 


The family therapy team, which includes Dr. Deanna Drahovzal and Dr. Victora Edwards and their students, meet families Monday afternoons and evenings, starting at 3pm.

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For more information on this topic, check out our ebook chapter: Developing a Happy Family

Gilmour Psychologists with Expertise in Family Therapy

Contact Gilmour Psychological Services® in Ottawa to schedule a consultation with a psychologist who has an expertise in parent and child therapy.

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Dr. Karen Davies, C. Psych.

September 17, 2022
Dr. Davies provides psychological services to individual adults, couples, children, and their families. She has had her own private practice since 1989, and for seven years prior to that worked as a supervised associate in private practice.
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Dr. Deanna Drahovzal, C.Psych.

September 9, 2022
Dr. Drahovzal provides psychotherapy and assessment services to children, adults, couples, and families at Gilmour Psychological Services® in Ottawa.
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Dr. Angelina Chupetlovska, C.Psych., FIPA

August 28, 2022
Dr. Angelina Chupetlovska provides treatment to children, adolescents, adults and families. She also conducts child custody and access assessments. In her psychotherapy orientation Dr. Chupetlovska brings together aspects from the psychodynamic, cognitive-behavioural, rational-emotive, and humanistic approaches.
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Kaitlyn Butterfield - Intern

July 20, 2021
Kaitlyn is an APPIC pre-doctoral intern working under the primary supervision of Dr. Deanna Drahovzal and Dr. Emma Murray, along with her secondary supervisors, Dr. Emma Dargie and Dr. Victoria Edwards. She is completing her PhD in clinical developmental neuropsychology at York University, where her research focuses on understanding how family and environmental factors relate to cognitive outcomes in children following pediatric stroke. Kaitlyn also holds master’s degrees in clinical developmental neuropsychology and in developmental psychology. Kaitlyn has primarily worked with children, adolescents, young adults, and families across private practice, university, and hospital settings. Her clinical experience includes individual, family, and group therapy as well as neuropsychological, psychoeducational, and psychological assessment. She completed specialized training at the Hospital for Sick Children , where she worked with children and families navigating neurological and complex medical conditions in the Stroke, Transplant and Regenerative Medicine, and Neurosurgery programs. Throughout these experiences, she has worked with individuals presenting with a range of developmental, neurological, learning, attentional, emotional, and behavioural concerns. Kaitlyn views therapy as a collaborative process. Rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach, she works with her clients to understand what brought them to therapy, identify what matters most to them, and build upon the strengths and resources they already possess. Her approach is integrative, trauma-informed, and evidence-based, drawing primarily from Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy. At Gilmour Psychological Services®, Kaitlyn provides assessment ( neuropsychological, psychodiagnostic, and psychoeducational ), short- and long-term therapy, crisis management, and consultation to children, youth, adults, and families. Above all, Kaitlyn strives to develop a genuine, trusting therapeutic relationship where clients and families feel heard, respected, and actively involved in their care.