Family therapy in Calgary: When home feels harder than it should
Family counselling with psychologists & counsellors · In person in Marda Loop & online across Alberta
Every family gets stuck sometimes. The same arguments, the same silences, the same person always caught in the middle. Family therapy helps everyone understand what’s happening between them, and find a calmer way forward together.
FAMILY THERAPY AT CORE
- 01Sessions can include the whole family, or just the people who are ready
- 02No one is the “problem”. We look at patterns, not blame
- 03Practical tools you can use at home between sessions
Our client care coordinator will match your family with the therapist who may be the best fit, and reply by text or email, whichever you prefer.
01 · Does this sound familiar?
“We love each other. We just can’t seem to talk.”
- Conversations turn into arguments, or nobody talks at all
- Tension between a parent and a child, or between siblings, that won’t ease
- One person seems to carry the family’s stress, or gets blamed for it
- Separation, divorce or a blended family has changed everyone’s roles
- A loss, illness, move or diagnosis has shaken the whole household
- Parents disagree about how to handle what’s going on
Families are systems: when one person struggles, everyone feels it, and everyone can be part of the change. Wondering whether your child needs their own support? See our child counselling and teen therapy pages.
02 · What families bring to us
Support for the moments that change a family.
Communication & conflict
Learn to listen, disagree and repair in ways that keep everyone connected, especially during hard conversations.
Parenting challenges
When parents feel stuck, worn down or out of sync. Some families start with parent support before bringing everyone in.
Separation & blended families
Support for co-parenting, new step-relationships and the loyalty binds children often feel.
Parents & teens
Rebuilding trust and communication when independence, screens or school pressure create distance. Learn more
ADHD & neurodivergence
Helping the whole family understand different brains and build routines that work for everyone. Learn more
Loss & life transitions
Grieving together after a death, or adjusting to a move, illness or other big change. Learn more
03 · Our approach
Our approach to family therapy
We’re not here to decide who’s right. We’re here to help your family work better together.
Family systems
We look at how roles, relationships and patterns connect, so the family can change the cycle instead of focusing on one person.
Emotion coaching
Parents learn to recognize and respond to big feelings in ways that build connection and calm. Read more about emotion coaching.
Collaborative problem solving
Instead of rewards and punishments, families learn to solve recurring problems together. Our post on collaborative problem solving explains how.
Grounded in development
What a five-year-old needs is different from what a fifteen-year-old needs. We tailor the work to each person’s age and stage.
04 · How it works
What to expect when your family starts therapy.
- GET MATCHED
Tell us a little about your family. Our client care coordinator suggests the therapist who may be the best fit, and a free 15-minute call is available if you’d like to talk first.
- START WITH THE ADULTS
Often the first session is with parents or caregivers, so your therapist understands the history and what you hope will change.
- BRING IN WHO’S READY
Sessions may include the whole family, a parent and child, siblings, or individuals. Your therapist will suggest what makes sense.
- PRACTISE AT HOME
You’ll leave with small, realistic steps to try between sessions, and review what worked next time.
- BUILD MOMENTUM
Regular sessions early on help things shift. As your family finds its footing, sessions space out.
05 · Our family therapists
Steady guides for the whole household.
Avery Rozak-Leach, MCRegistered Provisional Psychologist
Parents, children & family transitions
Meet AveryJulie Walder, MA, CCC, LMFTCanadian Certified Counsellor
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
Meet JulieLeah Callao, MC, CCC, MTACanadian Certified Counsellor
Family systems, relationships & family dynamics
Meet LeahNot sure who’s right for your family?
Tell our client care coordinator a little about what’s happening at home, and she’ll match you with the therapist who may be the best fit.
Request a match
06 · Common questions
What families ask us before starting.
RELATED READING
Does the whole family need to come?
No. Sessions can include the whole family, a parent and one child, siblings, or just the adults. Your therapist will help you decide who to include, and that can change as therapy goes on.
What if one family member doesn’t want to attend?
That’s common, especially with teens. You can start with whoever is willing. Change in one part of a family often shifts the whole system, and reluctant members sometimes join later once they see it isn’t about blame.
How is family therapy different from parent support?
Parent support focuses on you as the parent: your questions, your stress and your tools. Family therapy usually brings several family members into the room to work on how you relate to each other. Many families use both, and we’re happy to help you choose.
What ages do you work with?
Our therapists work with children, teens and adults. Younger children are often included through play-based or parent-led sessions, and teens get space to be heard on their own terms.
How long does family therapy take?
It depends on what you’re working on. Some families feel a real shift in a handful of sessions, while longer-standing patterns take more time. Meeting regularly at the start usually helps things move.
Can family therapy happen online?
Yes. Online sessions are available anywhere in Alberta, and family members can join from the same room or from different homes, which can help with separated or busy families.
Is family therapy covered by insurance?
Often, yes. Many extended health plans cover sessions with registered psychologists or counsellors. Plans vary, so check with your provider about which type of clinician is covered. We provide receipts, and current rates are on our fees page.
Let’s find the right fit for your family.
Send us a short email about what’s happening at home and who’d like support. Our client care coordinator will match you with the therapist who may be the best fit, and reply by text or email, whichever is easiest. Once you’re matched, a free 15-minute call with your therapist is always an option.
New to therapy? Our Welcome Guide explains what to expect, and our fees page covers rates and insurance.
Call or text 403.488.8912 · info@corepsychology.com
Monday to Friday, 9am to 7pm · Saturday, 8am to 3pm
If someone in your family is in crisis, call or text 988, call Kids Help Phone at 1-800-668-6868, or call 911.