Family therapy

Therapy for Patchwork Families

Our therapy for patchwork families helps you overcome the challenges of a new family constellation. Together, we work on improving communication, strengthening trust and promoting harmonious coexistence.

Growing together

Living together in a patchwork family brings with it special challenges. Suddenly there are new siblings, different parenting styles clash and conflicts of loyalty are not uncommon. A stepparent wants to get involved, but the child feels committed to their biological parent. The ex-partner interferes in parenting issues or holidays and family celebrations have to be reorganized. All of this requires not only patience, but also sensitive cooperation in order to build a connected family from individual parts.

Do you have questions about

Family Therapy?

If you have any questions, feel free to call us or send us an email. We will be happy to advise you in a free initial consultation.

Why therapy can be beneficial for patchwork families

Life in a blended family can be challenging for everyone involved: parents, stepparents, children, and sometimes even ex-partners. It is completely normal for uncertainties or tensions to arise, because bringing different worlds together is a process that takes time. Therapy can help to guide and facilitate this process.
Common topics addressed in therapy include:

  • Clarifying role conflicts: What responsibilities do parents, stepparents and children take on? How can a new balance be found? In patchwork families, new parent-child dynamics emerge that are not always harmonious right away. Stepparents ask themselves: “Am I allowed to discipline my stepchildren or am I just supposed to be their friend?” Children often feel that their stepparents are strangers at first or feel torn between their biological parents.
  • Understanding children’s loyalty conflicts: Children sometimes feel obliged to remain loyal to the separated parent and are afraid of hurting him or her if they accept their mother’s or father’s new partner. Therapy helps to find ways to prevent children from feeling torn and to give all family members a secure place in the new constellation.
  • Defining responsibilities and boundaries: Clarifying responsibilities, expectations and boundaries within the family. In a new family, one parent sets clear rules, while the other gives more freedom. Such differences lead to arguments: “You’re way too strict with my kids!” or “It used to be completely different in our family.”
  • Letting go of the past: Even when a new family is formed, old wounds often remain. One parent may struggle with feelings of disappointment or anger toward their ex-partner or grief over losses, which can affect the new relationship. Children may mourn the old family structure and reject the new family.
  • Integrating ex-partners: Ex-partners often remain part of family life, e.g., at school events or birthdays, where disagreements can make it difficult to cooperate with new partners, such as: “Can my new partner come to parent-teacher conferences?” or “How do we deal with different rules in both households?”
  • Different expectations in the new family: Patchwork families have to reinvent themselves, holidays, vacations and weekend plans all have to be rethought. While some want to feel like “we are a real family,” others need more time and space.

Make use of the safe space of

Family Therapy

Whether it’s about coping with crises, clarifying parenting questions, or strengthening family bonds – we support families in overcoming challenges and creating a happy and fulfilling future together. Whether you need help with communication, managing conflicts, or reinforcing your family connections – we are here to assist your family on the path to a harmonious and loving relationship. Schedule a free, non-binding initial consultation now.

How we work

Our therapeutic work focuses on openness, empathy and solution-oriented approaches. With a clear structure, we create a safe space in which all family members can contribute their perspectives and needs.

Kollage Mutter mit Kind und Therapiesituation
  • Systemic perspective: We view the family as a whole system in which each member plays an important role.
  • Individual support: Sometimes there are issues that need to be addressed in one-on-one conversations before they can be discussed in a group setting.
  • Practical tools: We teach methods that can be used in everyday life to resolve conflicts, strengthen bonds and improve communication.
  • Long-term perspective: In addition to resolving current problems, we also support you in developing sustainable structures for the future.

Creating a blended family is an adventure with ups and downs. Our therapy offers you the opportunity to use challenges as opportunities and to create a new, strong family foundation together. With patience, trust, and the right support, you can grow together step by step and lovingly master everyday life.

Family therapy for parents and children

Our family therapy promotes open communication, strengthens trust and helps resolve conflicts together. In this way, we create a harmonious foundation for a strong family life.

Family therapy for multiple generations

This deepens understanding and respect between generations and promotes dialogue in order to find common solutions to generational conflicts.

Our family therapists

Competent, empathetic and experienced — our family therapists accompany you and your family on the path to greater understanding, cohesion and inner strength.

Dipl. Social Worker
Michaela Etscheid-Garnitz

M.A. Social Pedagogue
Lara Wieczorek

FAQs

How do we find the right therapist?

In families with new partnerships or changes, such as remarriage, family therapy can help children feel secure and accept their new roles. Therapy offers strategies for developing new relationships within the family and promoting emotional stability.

How can we as parents find a balance between private life and family time?

Balancing privacy and family time can be challenging, especially when life as parents becomes stressful. Family therapy can help develop effective time management strategies that meet the needs of both parents and children while creating space for relaxation and individual needs.

Can grandparents also participate in family therapy?

Yes, grandparents can also be involved in family therapy, as we work across generations with all family members.

What happens when our children enter puberty and we experience communication difficulties?

Puberty is a challenging phase for both parents and children. Family therapy provides a safe space to break down communication barriers and find ways to better handle the conflicts and emotional challenges of adolescence. The goal is to strengthen trust and the relationship between parents and teenagers and to prevent growing emotional distance.

What is meant by systemic family therapy?

The systemic approach in family therapy views problems as role definitions created by the role within the family – not as a deficit of one or both partners. The entire system in which the family operates is considered. There are different realities – not just one “correct” reality. The different perspectives and patterns that each person accumulates through life experiences and brings into every relationship are central. Systemic family therapy is more solution-oriented than problem-oriented. The goals of family therapy in Cologne are set by the clients at the beginning of treatment. During the course of therapy, these goals can change and be renegotiated repeatedly.

Strengthening the autonomy and self-worth of all family members, improving communicatiom and changing dysfunctional relationship patterns are the clear objectives of couples therapy at Paarberatung Cologne.

Does everyone in my family have to attend therapy?

Ideally, all important family members should participate, as intergenerational family therapy takes into account the dynamics between the different generations. In some cases, however, it may be appropriate for not all family members to be present at the same time, especially if there are conflicts that need to be addressed only between certain individuals. The therapist will discuss this in advance with the family.

What can be done if the children are struggling to adjust to the new family structure?

In families with new partnerships or transitions, such as remarriage, family therapy can help children feel secure and accept their new role. The therapy provides strategies to develop new relationships within the family and promote emotional stability.

How does family therapy help in coping with separation or divorce within the family?

Family therapy supports families during transitional periods such as separation or divorce by helping to understand and mitigate the impact on all family members. Support for children is especially important, as they often struggle to cope with the changed family situation. Therapy promotes communication and helps establish a new, healthy family structure.

What if we only want to work on our marriage?

We also offer marriage counseling if you only need support in your marriage and the family relationship with your children is generally functioning well.

Can couples therapy encourage partners to change?

Yes – with the help of couples therapy, a partner can be encouraged to change. For example, restructuring fears can help to overcome jealousy. Giving the other person more space creates a feeling of freedom and creates situations that strengthen mutual trust. Practical advice is part of our philosophy of couples therapy at the MVZ for Psychotherapy in Cologne.

How much does family therapy cost?

  • Initial consultation: €190 for 90 minutes (excluding VAT)
  • All subsequent follow-up sessions: €220 for 90 minutes (excluding VAT)

The duration of family therapy depends on the individual case – fruitful results can become apparent after just a few sessions. Based on experience, most families require 6 to 8 sessions.

Book your family therapy appointment now

Take the first step toward a more harmonious family life. Book an appointment conveniently online or by phone and receive personalized advice from our experienced therapists. We look forward to accompanying you on your journey toward greater understanding and cohesion.