Professional family counselors and therapists in the Palmer - Wasilla area, Alaska.

Mat-Su Mental Health has counselors on staff that specialize in family therapy, focusing on parent, child and sibling interactions. Working with a professional family counselor can be helpful in facilitating conversations, establishing and implementing expectations, and supporting loved ones, regardless of your role in the family. Our therapists in Wasilla work to understand the dynamics that bring you into counseling, and offer in the moment interventions and strategies to build on successes and strengths in support of creating healthy change.

Parenting education and support is an important aspect of what our counselors offer during family therapy. Even though you are the expert on your child, our therapists bring knowledge and experience to the table, offering an outside perspective. Sometimes it is this shift in perspective that allows us to consider a situation with fresh eyes, and tackle a challenging situation with renewed clarity of vision and resolve.

Therapy sessions with a professional counselor can offer emotional support, guidance, and education in addressing a variety of challenges that today’s families face. Relationship dynamics can be messy, and sometimes, bringing in the support of an outside party can be helpful in navigating the social nuance of relating to those we’re related to. Family therapy can be an effective way of addressing challenging relationship dynamics.

Our Professional Family Counselors In Wasilla

  • Abegail - Family Counselor In Wasilla

    Dr. Abegail Millard - PsyD

    Abegail has been serving clients in the mental health field since 2017, and has experience working with people across the lifespan. She enjoys carrying a diverse caseload, and has worked with an array of clients across a variety of settings. As a 10-year Veteran of the United States Coast Guard, she is especially passionate about providing psychological support to Veterans, and Active Duty personnel. She is thrilled to call Alaska home, while taking advantage of every opportunity for adventure. When not at work, you will find Abegail practicing yoga, paddle boarding, ice fishing, or entertaining friends and family.

  • Erika McGough - Wasilla Family Counselor

    Erika McGough - LPC

    Erika has been working in the mental health field since 2016, and brings experience in working with individuals across the lifespan and in various different settings.  She is most passionate about supporting postpartum mothers and moms navigating parenting in early childhood, and also enjoys working with women transitioning through major life adjustments, dealing with depression and anxiety, or experiencing family and relational stressors.  Erika also enjoys working with children and teens.  When not at work, she can be found spending time with her family, in her mini backyard ‘urban homestead,’ or exploring and capturing the landscapes of Alaska via photography or painting. 

  • Sarah - Family Counselor In Wasilla

    Sarah Bannister - LPC

    Sarah is a Licensed Professional Counselor with 22 years of experience working within the mental health field. Though she has served clients in a variety of settings, the last 8 years have been dedicated to offering counseling support to individuals, groups and families in the private practice setting. When not working, Sarah can most often be found outside; hiking in Alaska’s stunning mountains, training for her next long distance run, adventuring with her daughters, or enjoying the quiet of an outdoor space with a cup of coffee and a good book.

  • Haidyn Simmons - Alaska Family Counselor

    Haidyn Simmons - MA

    Haidyn is dedicated to guiding her clients through their unique journeys toward healing and personal growth by fostering a safe and supportive environment where they can explore their thoughts and emotions.

    Originally from Louisiana, Haidyn moved to Alaska two years ago and has fallen in love with the state’s breathtaking natural beauty and her community. In her free time, you can find her reading, spending time outdoors with her pets, practicing yoga, or enjoying a good cup of coffee with friends. She is currently supervised by Mary Kuepper, LPC-S.

  • Mary Kuepper - Wasilla Professional Family Counselor and Supervisor

    Mary Kuepper - LPC-S

    Mary has over a decade of experience working in community based mental health. Though she has worked with people across the lifespan, she specializes in work with kids, teens and families, as well as in maternal mental health. Mary is passionate about giving people the tools they need to not only function well, but to thrive in their everyday life. Though not native to Alaska, she has fallen in love with the abundant resources of this beautiful place. When not working with clients, Mary can be found adventuring, hiking and exploring. She loves to fly fish our local creeks, dig in the dirt of her backyard garden, and get in quality time with her friends, and beautiful family.

What you can expect from family counseling.

The structure of family therapy sessions can vary greatly, depending on the circumstances that bring a family in for counseling. An initial therapy session can vary depending on your wishes, and may include adults only, or parents and children depending on your unique circumstances.

Generally, family therapy sessions occur one time weekly for 50-60 minutes. However, depending on the circumstances that bring you and your family into therapy and the interventions being used, it is at times helpful to flex this schedule according to your specific needs. These details will be discussed with you and your family throughout the counseling process.

If you think you and your family might benefit from a little additional support, please reach out. Our counselors are here to offer guidance, education and support to get you and yours back on the road to health and happiness.

How dong does professional family counseling typically take?

The length of time an individual is in counseling is situation specific and can vary. However, we at Mat-Su Mental Health are passionate about giving our clients the tools and skills they need to thrive and function well. We will cast a wide net at the onset, looking for all the variables that may be contributing to your family’s situation. We will build skills for managing symptoms and explore underlying root causes. We will take as little or as much time as you need, but we will do our very best to get your family back about the business of living life.

Could your family benefit from seeing a family therapist?

SOME OF THE COMMON CHALLENGES THAT CAUSE PEOPLE TO SEEK FAMILY COUNSELING CAN INCLUDE:

  • Family planning

  • Developing parenting skills

  • Blended family issues

  • Step parenting

  • Divorce troubles

  • Behavioral Issues

  • Addressing challenging conversations

  • Setting limits and boundaries

  • Establishing expectations

  • Follow through and consistency

THE VARIOUS GOALS FOR FAMILY THERAPY INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO:

  • More healthy and effective communication

  • Address and resolve problems and conflicts

  • Support in navigating challenging and traumatic events

  • A more positive and peaceful family culture

  • Increased sense of connection

How to schedule a professional counseling session in Wasilla.

Ready to get started? Call or email us today. Our contact info is at the bottom of this page.

Once you reach out, our on-boarding admin will contact you to gather information regarding your specific situation. They will explore with you what provider will likely best meet your needs, and support you in getting set up in our electronic health record.

Mat-Su Mental Health uses Simple Practice, a medical record and portal system that will allow for confidential and HIPAA compliant messaging that ensures your privacy. You will be sent a portal link that directs you to online documentation to be completed prior to your initial session.

This is a great time to ask any questions you might have. After all, where you go for support is your choice, and we want you to feel empowered to assess whether or not we are the right fit for you! Here at Mat-Su Mental Health, our providers believe that a strong therapeutic relationship is essential in the process of creating change. These initial conversations are important in assessing fit, as therapy is not “one size fits all.”

Our MSMH office is conveniently located in Wasilla. Feel free to arrive a few minutes prior to your child’s scheduled session to grab a cup of tea and relax before session begins. We look forward to meeting you, and are honored you have chosen us to do this work alongside you.

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