Family Therapy in Portland, Maine
Helping families communicate, connect and work through challenges together
Helping families get unstuck
Family relationships are an incredibly important source of connection and support, but families can also become stuck in patterns of conflict, misunderstanding or disconnection. At Beacon Light Psychological Services, we provide family therapy in Portland, Maine, to help children, teens, adults and caregivers communicate more effectively, work through challenges and build healthier relationships.
Our approach is collaborative, practical and tailored to each family. Rather than assigning blame to one person, family therapy looks at how family members affect one another and finds changes that help the whole family work better together.
How family therapy can help
Families often reach out when familiar ways of handling a problem aren't working anymore. Even when everyone wants things to improve, repeated arguments, avoidance and misunderstandings can make it hard to move forward.
Conflict and communication
When conversations turn into arguments or shut down altogether.
Parent and child relationships
When the relationship between a parent and child or teen feels strained.
Family changes
When the shape or rhythm of family life shifts.
Mental health and the family
When one person's challenges affect everyone at home.
What family therapy looks like
Family therapy focuses on relationships and the patterns between family members. Depending on your family's needs, sessions may include:
Active and purposeful
Families practice new ways of communicating, make plans for handling hard moments, and try specific strategies between appointments.
Grounded in research
Treatment may draw on cognitive-behavioral therapy, behavioral parenting approaches, collaborative problem-solving, emotion-focused and mindfulness-based strategies, and skills for emotional regulation and conflict resolution.
Family therapy can be the main treatment or work alongside individual therapy, parent coaching or care from other providers.
What to expect
Free 15-minute call
Talk with Dr. Ametti about what's going on and whether family therapy could help. If it's a good fit, we'll schedule your intake and send consent forms to sign online.
Intake session
A 50- to 90-minute meeting, usually in person at our Portland office, to gather information about current concerns and answer your questions about family therapy.
Family sessions
50-minute sessions that are structured but supportive. We usually start weekly, then can shift to every other week when it makes sense.
Meet your therapist
Merelise Ametti, PhD, MPH
Licensed Clinical Psychologist
Dr. Ametti trained at the University of Vermont and UCLA and has worked with children, teens and families in clinics, hospitals, schools and pediatric offices. A native Mainer, she works closely with parents, schools and other providers so care feels coordinated and supportive.
Read Dr. Ametti's full bio →Common questions about family therapy
Who comes to family therapy sessions?
It depends on your family's needs. Sessions may include the whole family, a child or teen with one or both parents, adult family members, siblings, or different combinations over time. We'll talk through who should attend as we go.
Is family therapy about figuring out who's to blame?
No. Family therapy looks at how family members affect one another and at patterns that keep everyone stuck. The focus is on what each person can do differently to make things better.
How is family therapy different from parent coaching?
Parent coaching works mainly with parents and caregivers on strategies to use at home. Family therapy focuses on relationships and communication among family members, and usually includes the child or teen in sessions. Learn more about parent coaching.
Can family therapy be combined with other services?
Yes. Family therapy can be the main treatment or work alongside individual therapy, parent coaching, or care from other providers, such as a pediatrician or psychiatrist.
Do you take insurance?
We're a private-pay practice and don't bill insurance directly. We provide a monthly superbill you can submit for possible out-of-network reimbursement, and HSA and FSA cards are welcome. See our rates and reimbursement guide.
Ready to take the first step?
Book a free 15-minute call with Dr. Ametti to talk about what's going on and whether family therapy could help.