Therapists in Utah
Ascend Counseling and Wellness
Marriage & Family Therapist, MS, LMFT
Verified Verified
9 Endorsed
Saint George, UT 84770
As Marriage and Family Therapists, we have been trained in systems theory which essentially means each individual within a family has an effect on others (either positive or negative).
Here at Ascend Counseling and Wellness, we specialize in helping relationships heal and assisting couples reach their potential. We are Marriage and Family Therapists who have received specific training regarding what behaviors and attitudes facilitate happy relationships. Our purpose is to be an objective third party who can observe unhealthy patterns and suggest specific interventions to change the dynamic of the relationship. A healthy relationship can contribute to our overall physical and emotional health. The source of our deepest affections and satisfactions are often derived from our relationships.
As Marriage and Family Therapists, we have been trained in systems theory which essentially means each individual within a family has an effect on others (either positive or negative).
Here at Ascend Counseling and Wellness, we specialize in helping relationships heal and assisting couples reach their potential. We are Marriage and Family Therapists who have received specific training regarding what behaviors and attitudes facilitate happy relationships. Our purpose is to be an objective third party who can observe unhealthy patterns and suggest specific interventions to change the dynamic of the relationship. A healthy relationship can contribute to our overall physical and emotional health. The source of our deepest affections and satisfactions are often derived from our relationships.
No matter how hard things are for you right now, I am optimistic that I can help you on your healing journey. I specialize in treating anxiety, depression, trauma, and relationship distress. I love working with all adults, including senior citizens. My preferred therapeutic modalities include Mindful Self-Compassion, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART), Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Sand Tray Therapy.
No matter how hard things are for you right now, I am optimistic that I can help you on your healing journey. I specialize in treating anxiety, depression, trauma, and relationship distress. I love working with all adults, including senior citizens. My preferred therapeutic modalities include Mindful Self-Compassion, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART), Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Sand Tray Therapy.
I integrate traditional psychotherapy, mindfulness, EMDR, breathwork and other evidence-based approaches into my practice. I have always been drawn to understanding the inner workings of the human mind. I find that getting to the core mistaken beliefs and unexpressed emotions hiding behind our issues and symptoms allows us to go beyond problem-solving into a transformational space where anything is possible.
I integrate traditional psychotherapy, mindfulness, EMDR, breathwork and other evidence-based approaches into my practice. I have always been drawn to understanding the inner workings of the human mind. I find that getting to the core mistaken beliefs and unexpressed emotions hiding behind our issues and symptoms allows us to go beyond problem-solving into a transformational space where anything is possible.
Joanna Alvord
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT, MBA, MS, MA
Verified Verified
1 Endorsed
Salt Lake City, UT 84124
We all know life can be overwhelming and full of challenges—I believe we all can benefit from a little help at times; someone who listens without judgment and encourages personal growth. I understand that taking care of yourself and your relationships is the most important thing you can do. I believe that people have an innate potential to grow and heal. I strive to pinpoint the issues and address them directly with clarity and compassion.
We all know life can be overwhelming and full of challenges—I believe we all can benefit from a little help at times; someone who listens without judgment and encourages personal growth. I understand that taking care of yourself and your relationships is the most important thing you can do. I believe that people have an innate potential to grow and heal. I strive to pinpoint the issues and address them directly with clarity and compassion.
See more therapy options for Utah
Family Therapy
What do family therapists do?
A family therapist facilitates the process of understanding and improving how a family functions. The therapist will help family members develop empathy for one another. They’ll seek to understand existing patterns, misunderstandings, and conflicts that arise, in order to help the family arrive at a realistic, unified understanding and develop the coping skills they need to build stronger relationships.
How long does therapy for families take to work?
Therapy manifests differently in every family; a common time frame is 12 weekly sessions, but some families may see improvement after just a few weeks. Families should discuss their goals with the therapist at the beginning of the process and periodically revisit those goals to assess their progress together.
How can you encourage a family member to attend family therapy?
You can encourage family members to attend therapy by expressing with both love and concern the challenges you see and explaining how a therapist could help the family navigate those challenges together. An outside perspective can help everyone feel heard, get on the same page, and develop new skills. If family members are still hesitant, it may be helpful to emphasize that family therapy is short-term—it won’t last forever.
Is therapy for families effective?
Family therapy can significantly improve family dynamics and relationships. Research suggests that family therapy can help individuals understand their role in the family, communicate and solve problems together, reduce conflict and draw boundaries when necessary, and develop coping skills for stressors, major life changes, and mental or physical illnesses within the family.