Family Life Professionals

Contextual Resource: Family Life Professionals

Contextual Resource: Family Life Professionals

The “Family Life Professionals” category describes a number of professionals whose jobs
encompass providing support and services that are designed to enhance relationships and family
life. This includes professional counselors and therapists, family life educators, some clergy
members, and other social service professionals. Because of their specialized training in helping
skills and understanding relationship dynamics, these professionals can be a powerful resource to
you if they are available in your community, you know how to find them, and you are willing to seek
their help.

Strategies for increasing your family life professional resources

1. Talk with your partner about your willingness to seek relationship help from a professional. What
biases do you have about people who seek help? Under what circumstances would you be willing to
seek help? What qualities would you want to find in a professional from whom you sought help?

2. Create a list of qualified family life professionals in your area whose services you would consider
seeking. Note their qualifications and the types of services they provide. Keep this list in a
convenient location and update it at least once a year.

3. Check with local family and relationship service organizations to see if they provide an e-mail list-
serve that could notify you of upcoming programs in your area. This is any easy way to become
aware of programs that could be of use to you.

4. Relationship transitions (e.g., getting married, becoming parents, and sending children off to
college) are often the targets of relationship education programs. When you face one of those
transitions, seek out a program as a way to learn strategies for adjusting to the changes that arise

5. If you feel comfortable doing so, ask for recommendations for helpful family life professionals from
people you know who you believe have strong, healthy relationships. For example, perhaps a friend
or coworker could recommend someone who does a good job providing counseling to couples.