It seems like every decision creates tension and stress. You try your hardest to stay positive, but eventually become discouraged, exhausted, and resentful that you are significantly affected by others’ decisions.
If you feel like being a stepmom is a sentence, there is hope. You can learn therapeutic skills to help you gain insight, control, and freedom in your unique stepfamily situation.
Allowing yourself to admit how bad things are can be the hardest part. My clients tell me by the end of the first session they feel a sense of relief and have hope that things will get better. My clients also tell me they wish they would have called sooner because they feel heard and supported. Within the first few sessions, you will learn practical strategies for managing your unique stepfamily stressors and situation.
When our work together is done, you will know how to define and function in your role as stepmom. You will be confident in your abilities to manage conflict, prioritize your family, set boundaries, and take care of yourself. And you won’t care if you’re being judged for doing it or not. Learning these skills won’t make everything perfect, but they can make it more peaceful.