Family Therapy in Newport Beach
Families can be our greatest source of love — and our greatest source of stress. Family therapy offers a space to navigate challenges, improve communication, and rebuild trust. Whether you're facing conflict, transition, or simply feeling disconnected, I’m here to support your family in working through it together.
Common Family Concerns I Work With
Each family is unique — and so are the challenges they face. Below are some of the most common areas I help families work through together.
Family Counseling
Navigate difficult dynamics, family transitions, or long-standing conflict in a safe, supportive environment designed to strengthen connection and understanding.
Parenting & Family Issues
Whether you're parenting toddlers, teens, or adult children, therapy can help you approach parenting with more clarity, consistency, and confidence.
Sibling Rivalry
Help your children resolve conflicts, build empathy, and develop healthier ways of relating to one another — without constant refereeing.
Mother-Daughter Counseling
Explore and heal complex dynamics in the mother-daughter relationship with compassion, clarity, and communication tools that foster mutual respect and deeper connection.
Father-Son Counseling
Whether you're parenting toddlers, teens, or adult children, therapy can help you approach parenting with more clarity, consistency, and confidence.
Neurodivergent Households
Support for families navigating the unique dynamics of raising or living with neurodivergent loved ones — with compassion, communication tools, and space for every voice at the table.
Therapy That Brings Families Together
Our sessions will be a space for all voices to be heard — not just the loudest or the most comfortable speaking up. We'll explore recurring patterns, unmet needs, and communication habits that may be contributing to the problem. Depending on your family’s goals, we may meet together, in smaller configurations, or individually.
Your Family Might Benefit From Therapy If...
What Clients Say
“Working with Irene felt like a deep exhale. I didn’t have to explain everything perfectly — she just understood. Her calm presence helped me feel safe right away.”
What Clients Say
“Therapy helped me get out of my own head and into my life again. Irene is warm, thoughtful, and always knew when to gently challenge me.”
What Clients Say
“After a few months, I not only felt better — I actually knew why I felt better. Irene helped me understand parts of myself I had ignored for years.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Who should attend family therapy sessions?
That depends on your family’s goals. Sometimes we meet as a whole group, other times with specific family members. We’ll discuss this during your consultation.
Q: Will you take sides in a family conflict?
No. My role is to support the family system as a whole and help everyone feel heard, not to assign blame.
Q: Can I talk to you individually during the process?
Yes. We may schedule individual check-ins as part of the family therapy process if it’s clinically helpful.
Q: Is family therapy helpful for adult children and parents?
Absolutely. Many of the families I work with include adult children and parents working through long-standing dynamics or healing old wounds.
Q: Do you offer online family therapy?
Yes. Online family therapy is available for California residents and can be helpful for families in different locations.
Let’s Work Together to Support Your Family
Whether you’re parenting a child, co-parenting after a divorce, or trying to rebuild relationships across generations, you don’t have to figure it all out on your own. I’d love to learn more about your family and how I can help.
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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