Mental Health Counseling, Therapy, and Evaluations for All Ages

Mental health consulting services for families or individuals focus on providing guidance and support to those trying to understand how to manage a family member’s mental health or navigate their own. 

These services typically involve professionals who work with families to assess mental health concerns, gather comprehensive information on the family history, and develop tailored strategies for managing mental health challenges effectively.

Key components of such services include:

1. Assessment and Evaluation: The mental health consultant evaluates the situation by reviewing the family history, dynamics, and individual behaviors. This helps to identify underlying mental health issues, patterns, or triggers.
2. Education and Awareness: Families are educated about mental health conditions, symptoms, and potential treatments. This knowledge empowers family members to approach the situation with understanding and compassion.
3. Tailored Recommendations: Based on the assessment, consultants provide professional recommendations and coping strategies for dealing with mental health challenges. These may include therapy options, lifestyle changes, or communication strategies that best suit the individual and family dynamics.
4. Ongoing Support: Mental health consultants often offer continuous guidance, helping families adjust their approaches as needed and providing emotional support throughout the process.
5. Family Therapy: In some cases, family therapy may be recommended to improve communication, resolve conflicts, and build a supportive environment for the individual dealing with mental health issues.

The goal is to provide a safe and informed approach for families to handle mental health challenges, ensuring that all members are equipped with the tools and knowledge to support their loved ones effectively..

 Nestled in a serene retreat-like office setting, couples embark on a journey of deep introspection and healing under the guidance of Constance Sheehan, PhD, LCSW. A therapist with over 20 years of experience in teaching, training, and practice at The Family Institute at Northwestern and Loyola Medical Center Sexual Dysfunction Clinic.

Trained in ketamine-assisted psychotherapy (KAP), Dr. Sheehan works with medical practitioners to provide low-dose ketamine to break through and resolve long-standing relationship issues with greater compassion and lowered defensiveness.

Day 1: Foundations and Intentions (3 hours)

With clear and gentle support, couples explore their communication dynamics. Through guided exercises and open dialogues, they uncover patterns of misunderstanding and learn effective communication strategies. Dr. Sheehan facilitates somatic exercises that promote active listening and empathy, fostering a deeper connection and understanding of and between self and partner.

Sessions may delve into sexual intimacy, a crucial component often affected by unresolved issues. Couples implement new skills to rediscover emotional and physical closeness and address underlying emotional barriers. Dr. Sheehan provides opportunities for cultivating language around desires, boundaries, and techniques for enhancing intimacy.

Day 2: Building Resilience (5 hours)

Communication takes center stage as couples navigate consideration of thorny issues such as family, money management, shared goals, and individual values. Dr. Sheehan guides couples in creating a renewed roadmap that promotes transparency and mutual decision-making, easing tensions that arise from unmet needs.

Family dynamics are explored as couples confront challenges from extended family relationships, parenting styles, or past traumas. Dr. Sheehan facilitates a new level of openness and harmony in navigating relational complexities and establishing new approaches to life.

Day 3: Integration and Planning (4-5 hours)

Couples engage in reflection and integration as the intensive nears its conclusion. Consolidation of insights gained over the past few days, with a plan to identify actionable steps to sustain progress post-intensive. Dr. Sheehan offers personalized strategies for ongoing growth and support, empowering couples to maintain newfound communication skills, intimacy, financial harmony, and family resilience.

Throughout the intensive, therapeutic techniques such as depth psychology, mindfulness practices (MBSR), EMDR, and experiential exercises are employed to deepen self-awareness and emotional healing. 

Ketamine-assisted work is also on offer. Couples emerge with renewed hope, strengthened bonds, and a shared commitment to a balanced, harmonious, and fulfilling relationship.