Families can heal. Even the ones that feel too broken to try
Every family has its fault lines — the subjects no one talks about, the roles everyone plays without choosing them, the patterns that repeat across generations. Family therapy is where those dynamics finally come into the light.
Beth McErlean works with families to strengthen communication, resolve conflict, and build the kind of relational foundation that actually holds — especially when one or more family members is navigating trauma, mental health challenges, or a significant life change
Family therapy · Trauma-informed · Virtual · NC · VA · WI · Insurance accepted
WHO FAMILY THERAPY IS FOR
Family therapy may be right for you if…
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Your family is struggling with communication — conversations escalate, people shut down, or nothing ever gets resolved
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A family member’s mental health diagnosis (such as bipolar disorder, anxiety, or trauma) is affecting family dynamics
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There is a history of trauma in your family that has never been addressed
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You’re navigating a major transition — divorce, remarriage, a new blended family, a death, a move
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A parent-child relationship has broken down and you’re not sure how to repair it
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Adult siblings or extended family members are in conflict over caregiving, inheritance, or unresolved history
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A teenager or young adult is struggling and the whole family is feeling the strain
Family therapy · Trauma-informed · Virtual · NC · VA · WI · Insurance accepted
WHAT WE WORK ON
What family therapy addresses
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Communication & listening: Learning how to express needs and hear each other — especially across generational, personality, and communication style differences.
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Family roles & patterns: Identifying the roles that family members have inherited or assumed — the caretaker, the scapegoat, the peacemaker — and how those roles affect everyone.
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Conflict resolution: Building the tools to navigate disagreement without rupture — and to repair when rupture happens anyway.
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Trauma & its ripple effects: Addressing how a family member’s trauma history, or a shared family trauma, is shaping current dynamics in ways that may not be immediately visible.
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Supporting a family member with mental health challenges: Helping families understand, respond to, and support a member living with a mental health diagnosis — without losing themselves in the process.
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Rebuilding after estrangement or conflict: Working through the hurt, misunderstandings, and accumulated grievances that create distance between family members.
Family therapy · Trauma-informed · Virtual · NC · VA · WI · Insurance accepted
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about family therapy
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Q: Does everyone in the family need to come to sessions?
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A: Not necessarily. Who participates depends on the goals and the specific family dynamic. Sometimes all family members attend; sometimes a subset is most appropriate. We’ll discuss what makes sense during your consultation.
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Q: Can family therapy help when one person refuses to participate?
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A: Yes. Family therapy can still be productive with partial participation — and sometimes individual sessions alongside family sessions is the most effective approach. Change in one family member genuinely does affect the whole system.
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Q: My teenager refuses therapy. Can we still do family therapy?
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A: Yes, and it’s actually quite common. Family therapy doesn’t require every member to be enthusiastic about it. I work with resistant family members in a way that is respectful and non-coercive — and teenagers often engage more than their parents expect once they’re in the room.
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Q: Is virtual family therapy effective?
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A: Yes. Telehealth family therapy produces outcomes comparable to in-person sessions. For families with busy schedules or members in different locations, virtual therapy removes major logistical barriers. Sessions are conducted via HIPAA-compliant video.
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Q: Does insurance cover family therapy?
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A: Coverage varies by plan. Many insurance plans cover family therapy when there is a clinical diagnosis for one or more family members. I am in-network with BCBS, Optum, Cigna, and Aetna in NC, VA, and WI. I recommend calling member services on your card to verify your specific benefits.
Family therapy · Trauma-informed · Virtual · NC · VA · WI · Insurance accepted