Families are complex and comprised of multiple interactive relationships. In the nuclear family, there is the marital relationship, the parent-child relationship, as well as the sibling-sibling relationship.  Marital conflict, child conflict, and parent-child conflict can erode the family’s ability to function in a healthy way.  Overtime, when there is too much conflict within the family, there is a breakdown in family relationships and a breakdown in the overall family functioning.  Family members often feel unheard, angry, helpless, and betrayed.

Communication, the ability to successfully navigate challenges, and decent conflict resolution skills are critical features of healthy families and often found to be problematic in families with dysfunction. Different family members often feel at a loss as to how to improve the family’s ability to coexist together in more harmony.  The marriage can suffer, as can the parent-child relationship.  Dr. Alvarez is experienced in identifying the problematic family dynamics and creating a path forward to improve all of the relationships within the family.

When family law litigation is involved and there is conflict concerning the children, the family is under even more stress and duress and family dysfunction increases.  Dr. Alvarez is experienced in understanding the consequences that divorce or post-divorce legal conflict have within the family and she is adept at tackling co-parenting challenges, breakdowns in communication, and parent-child relationship problems, including kids who resist or refuse a relationship with a parent.