Individual & Family Therapy
Helping boys and their families thrive
Social, Emotional, and Behavioral Resilience Through Therapy
Raising healthy, resilient children and teens can be hard work. As trusted adults, we do our best to support, teach, and empower our children to learn how to navigate the ups and downs of growing up. And yet, when kids and teens struggle with their emotions, friendships, or behaviors, it can be difficult for parents and caregivers to know what to do or where to go to get help.
At BIG, individual and family therapy is used to address a range of emotional, social, or behavioral concerns that parents or children might have. Using a combination of talk therapy and cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), the broad goals of both individual and family therapy include self-understanding, skill building (like developing coping strategies and problem-solving capabilities), behavior change, and emotional support.
BIG recognizes that collaborating with and empowering caregivers and their children can lead to better communication within the family unit, conflict resolution, behavior change, and ultimately stronger bonds within and outside the family. Both family and individual therapies offer valuable support and skill acquisition that can be used separately or in combination to achieve the specific goals of the individual, parent, and/or family unit.
How It Works
Individual/family therapy begins by scheduling a 90-minute consultation, during which time you will meet with Dr. Miller (without your son) to discuss your concerns. This meeting allows for Dr. Miller to gather relevant background information and for you to share your son’s and family’s story. Preliminary treatment goals will be discussed and, if you would like to proceed with the therapy, an initial individual session for your son will be scheduled.
Dr. Miller will then meet with your son for between 2-3 sessions to get to know him and, most importantly, gain a direct understanding of what his strengths and struggles are. If appropriate, Dr. Miller will have your son complete rating scales or self-report measures that assess his current level of social, emotional, and behavioral functioning. These measures are then examined, and the results are reviewed with your son and you.
During these first sessions, treatment goals are discussed and then developed in order to plot a course for the therapy, whether that involves individual therapy, family therapy, or a combination of both. These goals are discussed and developed with your son individually, as well as with you and your son collaboratively.
Christopher Miller, Ph.D.
Dr. Christopher Miller is the founder and director of BIG and has worked throughout southern California as a clinical psychologist with children, teens, and families since 1999. He received his B.A. in Psychology from Claremont McKenna College and his Ph.D. from the California School of Professional Psychology, San Diego in 1999.
Are you ready to take the next BIG step?
BIG offers a variety of services for boys and young men ages 5 and above, their caregivers, and those who work with boys in different settings. Click the button to get started.