Family Counseling in Newport Beach
Strengthen your family’s connection, improve communication, and navigate conflict with support — not blame.
When Tension Disrupts the Family System
Families are complex — and even the most loving ones face challenges. Sometimes it’s a long-standing conflict. Other times, it’s a life transition, grief, or parenting stress that throws the balance off. Small issues can build over time, creating distance and resentment that’s hard to talk about.
You might be:
Family therapy helps create space for each voice to be heard — and for the family to begin healing as a unit.
How Family Counseling Can Help
Family therapy provides a calm, supportive setting where each member can share their perspective. It’s not about assigning blame — it’s about building understanding, communication, and mutual respect.
In our work together, we may:
- Identify and shift communication patterns
- Support more effective co-parenting strategies
- Help children and teens feel heard and understood
- Navigate grief, transitions, or trauma as a family
- Restore safety and connection at home
Whether you're dealing with everyday stress or more intense disruptions, therapy gives families the tools to move forward — together.
My Approach to Family Work
I approach family therapy with deep respect for each person’s role and experience. I aim to balance the needs of individuals with the health of the family system as a whole.
In sessions, I:
- Listen closely to how each family member experiences the dynamic
- Use person-centered, integrative, and mindfulness-based methods
- Support calm, open communication — even during emotional moments
- Adjust the format (individual, dyadic, or full family sessions) based on your needs
Families are resilient. Sometimes they just need a safe space and some guidance to reconnect.
“Family therapy is not about fixing anyone — it’s about understanding each other better and creating new ways to move forward.”
What Clients Say
“Before working with Irene, I didn’t even realize how anxious I was all the time. She helped me slow down, breathe, and feel like I wasn’t broken — just burnt out.”
What Clients Say
“I used to feel like my mind never shut off. Now I feel like I have actual tools that work. And I know I’m not alone.”
What Clients Say
“Irene helped me realize I don’t have to say yes to everything. Learning to set boundaries changed everything.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What kinds of families do you work with?
I work with families of all shapes and structures — including blended families, multigenerational households, and families navigating cultural or neurodiversity.
Q: Can family therapy help with parenting challenges?
Absolutely. I often help parents develop strategies for connection, discipline, and shared understanding, especially during difficult developmental stages.
Q: Will everyone attend every session?
Not always. Sometimes I meet with parents, siblings, or individuals separately depending on what’s most helpful. We’ll tailor the format together.
Q: What if my teen doesn’t want to participate?
That’s common. I approach teens with respect and empathy, and often they begin to open up once they feel safe and heard.
Q: Do you offer online family sessions?
Yes — I offer both in-person sessions in Newport Beach and online therapy throughout California.
Schedule a Free Consultation
Let’s create a more peaceful, connected home — where every voice feels valued and heard. Reach out for a consultation to see how I can support your family.
Maria Irene Alvarez de Schwartz, LMFT 155789
(949) 385-3689
Newport Beach Office
1000 Quail St., Suite 220
Laguna Beach Office
333 3rd St #6
Online Therapy
California Residents Only
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