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Offered in-person & online

Our therapists offer blended family therapy in Alexandria, VA

Get in-person or online care, and cover the majority of the costs with your insurance.

Connect with a therapist, psychiatrist or counselor near you
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686,000 people sought help with Thriveworks in the last year

Discover how starting therapy with a blended family counseling can support your own journey toward a happier, more fulfilling life.

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All VA providers are fully booked, but check back tomorrow — sessions become available daily!

Starting Blended family counseling

What is blended family counseling?

Blended family counseling from our therapists at Thriveworks in Alexandria, VA helps families who have come together through marriage work through changes, accept differences, ease tension, and form bonds. It enables parents to set boundaries and expectations around finances, parenting, and other areas. In addition, it offers all family members a safe space to voice their thoughts and feelings.

How does blended family counseling work?

Blended family counseling will likely involve attending sessions as a group, but it might also involve individual sessions with each family member. It works by encouraging the group to share any emotions, concerns, or challenges they might be experiencing, as it relates to the family, and then offering tailored solutions.

Is blended family counseling conducted in person or online?

Blended family counseling at Thriveworks in Alexandria, VA is conducted both in person and online by video. We encourage you to choose the option that works best for you.

How long does blended family counseling last?

Blended family counseling from one of our providers at Thriveworks in Alexandria, VA can be short- or long-term, lasting for weeks, months, or years. The length is dependent on the family’s areas of concerns, whether they’re more immediate or they’re more complex. Together with your therapist, you can determine how long you should plan on attending therapy for best results.

Need more help deciding?

Blended Families in Alexandria, VA (Franconia)—Counselors and Therapists

As with anything in life, every challenge holds opportunity, and bringing two families together as one is the same. Yes, there are challenges and struggles. But there are also untold benefits and opportunities. When families work together and blend little by little, they often build a home where resiliency, love, and connection can grow. No family has to build this home alone. Often, blended families work with a counselor to establish their unique home.

If your family is in the process of blending, know that you are not alone. It is normal to have ups and downs. It is also normal to reach out for help. That is why Thriveworks Alexandria, VA (Franconia) offers counseling for blended families.

One, Big, Happy Family

Blended families can come in any shape and size. There is no formula, and there is no mold. For example, blended families can look like…

  • A divorced parent who moves in with their new partner. The new partner does not have children of their own but plans to take a parenting role in the children’s lives.
  • A widowed parent remarries. The new spouse also has children.
  • Parents who divorced and set up their own homes. They are both active in the children’s lives. They may be dating, but their new partners are not involved in the children’s lives.

Within any blended family, there will be challenges. Certain issues may not arise in every home, but they are common to step families. Children often face a different set of hurdles than adults.

Even the most positive changes can cause stress for a child. As children adjust to a new family, a new living situation, and a new schedule, it is normal for them to feel overwhelmed. They may be feeling many different, difficult emotions. They may be experiencing deep loss and grief for the first time in their lives. They may be mourning their parents’ divorce or break-up. They may also be mourning a parent’s death. The parenting style in their blended family may be different, and transition to the new rules may be frustrating. Children may also be experiencing behavioral problems while they learn to handle these big emotions.

Establishing a new family can cause stress for the adults as well. The couple sets the tone for the whole family while they are also getting their own relationship off on the right foot. The adults have a lot of choices about how to go about blending their families. In particular, they will need to choose who will have active parenting roles and who will not. If a spouse or partner will not be parenting the children, then they will have to be clear about what their role is. If a spouse or partner has never parented previously but they will be stepping into that role, they will have a big learning curve.

Learning How to Blend

Establishing a new family is a lot of work, but it is worth the effort. There are no short-cuts to establishing a happy home, but here are a few tips for making the process as smooth as possible:

  1. Do not fake it: It is okay to say that blending a family is difficult. It is okay to acknowledge the hard. It is okay if everything is not fine all the time.
  2. Take action: Being proactive about problems is important. Do not be afraid to make a plan and set expectations for roles and routines early.
  3. Make Room for Understanding: Empathy is one of a blended family’s most powerful tools. Instead of pushing an agenda, seek to listen well to everyone in the family.

Therapy at Thriveworks Alexandria, VA (Franconia) for Blended Families

If you and your family are ready to meet with a therapist, know that when you call Thriveworks Alexandria, your first appointment may be within 24 hours. We know families are busy, so we offer evening and weekend sessions. We also accept many different forms of insurance. Let’s work together. Call today.

Pricing & insurance

Our therapists accept most major insurances. We accept 585+ insurance plans, and offer self-pay options, too.
Learn more about pricing for therapy and counseling services at Thriveworks.

Our Alexandria therapists and counselors accept 28 insurance plans

  • Aetna

  • Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Virginia Medicare Advantage

  • Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Virginia | BCBS PPO

  • Blue Cross Blue Shield | Anthem (Blue Card)

  • CareFirst Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Virginia | BCBS HMO

  • CareFirst Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Virginia | BCBS PPO

  • Carelon

  • Cigna | Evernorth

  • Cigna | Evernorth EAP

  • Cigna | Evernorth Medicare Advantage

  • Compsych

  • First Health Network

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Self-pay costs at Alexandria
Talk therapy

Talk therapy

Includes individual, couples, child/ teen, & family therapy

First session

$1

Ongoing sessions

$1

Talk therapy

Psychiatry

Includes reducing symptoms with medication & management

First session

$1

Ongoing sessions

$1

Hear from our clients

4.9 Learn about verified reviews
★★★★★
I was very satisfied with first session/consultation with my therapist. I feel confident she will address my needs and look forward to working with her.
Read more I was very satisfied with first session/consultation with my therapist. I feel confident she will address my needs and look forward to working with her.
Marjorie Feb 2024
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
At 75 years old and still learning is wonderful. My counselor is simply an outstanding individual and human being. The "bank is closed", I understand more clearly by my counselor who, have been instrumental in " breaking down some walls" in my forward motion and healing from the pain
Read more At 75 years old and still learning is wonderful. My counselor is simply an outstanding individual and human being. The "bank is closed", I understand more clearly by my counselor who, have been instrumental in " breaking down some walls" in my forward motion and healing from the pain
Horace Feb 2024
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
Bank closure is fundamentally when a financial institution goes bankrupt; however, parents can't go into bank closure for their children, family, and friends. Nevertheless, parents do close their bank (hearth) to minimize disrespect, abuse, and abundant misuse of LOVE. So I closed my life to abuse, disrespect, and misuse of ❤️
Read more Bank closure is fundamentally when a financial institution goes bankrupt; however, parents can't go into bank closure for their children, family, and friends. Nevertheless, parents do close their bank (hearth) to minimize disrespect, abuse, and abundant misuse of LOVE. So I closed my life to abuse, disrespect, and misuse of ❤️
Horace Jan 2024
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★
I am very happy with my therapist, I would give him 5 Stars but I am handicapped and the facility I go to has No Handicap access, No ramp or elevator and is on the third floor of a three story building.
Read more I am very happy with my therapist, I would give him 5 Stars but I am handicapped and the facility I go to has No Handicap access, No ramp or elevator and is on the third floor of a three story building.
Ed Jan 2024
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
My therapist, Dee Jacobi Edwards, continues to help me deal with my individual struggles in life so that I can achieve peace in dealing with life situations. She is a wonderful therapist.
Read more My therapist, Dee Jacobi Edwards, continues to help me deal with my individual struggles in life so that I can achieve peace in dealing with life situations. She is a wonderful therapist.
Louisa Dec 2023
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★
Love our therapist.
Heidi Dec 2023
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
My daughter's dad and I had a few sessions with Dee Jacobi-Edwards and she was great. She was very neutral and honest with both of us when it came to our disagreements and downfalls. She was also extremely patient with us throughout our sessions. I would absolutely recommend Dee.
Read more My daughter's dad and I had a few sessions with Dee Jacobi-Edwards and she was great. She was very neutral and honest with both of us when it came to our disagreements and downfalls. She was also extremely patient with us throughout our sessions. I would absolutely recommend Dee.
Alexandria Mar 2021
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
I have been battling anxiety and depression for years, and Mary Alice Fields has helped me finally find some relief. She is dedicated to helping her clients live their best possible life, and she has helped me gain some peace in my life. I know she has help countless others, and I would highly recommend her to anyone who suffers from depression or anxiety issues.
Read more I have been battling anxiety and depression for years, and Mary Alice Fields has helped me finally find some relief. She is dedicated to helping her clients live their best possible life, and she has helped me gain some peace in my life. I know she has help countless others, and I would highly recommend her to anyone who suffers from depression or anxiety issues.
Alexandria Jan 2021
Review left on Thriveworks.com

Where to find us

Getting here

Thriveworks Counseling & Psychiatry Alexandria is located off of Franconia Rd., just behind Oak Tree Plaza. We share a building with MRM Associates. Right next door to us is a MakeSpace, and the closest bus stop is at Franconia Rd. & Beulah St.

Phone number

(703) 454-8246

Languages spoken by VA providers

  • Portuguese
  • English
Saturday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Sunday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Monday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Tuesday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Wednesday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Thursday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Friday 8:00am - 9:00pm

Shown in ET

Saturday 7:00am - 6:00pm
Sunday 8:00am - 5:00pm
Monday 7:00am - 9:30pm
Tuesday 7:00am - 9:30pm
Wednesday 7:00am - 9:30pm
Thursday 7:00am - 9:30pm
Friday 7:00am - 9:30pm

Shown in ET

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