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Louise H. Alderson,
Marriage and Family Therapist, Sees Cycle of Change |
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By Helen Johnson As a Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT) Louise H. Alderson works withindividuals, couples and families. Her extensive background in human developmentand family studies enables her to understand her client’s problems.  Louise focuses on the client’s patterns of interaction within the familyand other relationships such as friends and/or coworkers who may contributeto the difficulties the client is experiencing. Solutions to such difficultiescome from making appropriate change within the patterns of interaction. MFTs recognize that none of us lives in a vacuum. Our environment -home, job, and community - affects us, which influences our overall mentalhealth. Louise remembers another MFT telling her, “You are not the only playerin this game.” This perspective guides her work. Louise said, “Other psychotherapists view problems and solutions as residingwithin the individual. MFTs believe problems and solutions live within a cycle.” They map out the cycle, identify areas of desiredchange, develop appropriate solutions, and help clients accomplish the desiredchange. MFTs support the strengths within the individual and family to create solutions to the problem. “At different times in people’s lives, they need help with transitions. Change is difficult for many people, especially within a family. One person’schange requires change throughout the family system. “For example, when a child moves from childhood to adolescence or anadult moves from employment into retirement, the family may need specialsupport to make necessary changes and adjustments. One of my roles as atherapist is to help with these transitions,” she said. Marriage and family therapists are trained to ameliorate problems, strengthenrelationships, and prevent problems from getting out of hand. An MFT mayhelp clients with such diverse problems as eating disorders, divorce andcustody issues, grief and loss, and blended and stepfamily issues. MFTslook for ways to help individuals and families cope with or change the situationsaround them to achieve successful outcomes. Marriage and family therapy is usually short term, the average lengthof treatment being 12 sessions. “Clients come in with a specific problem.For example, parents’ concern about an adolescent staying out late at nightmay be an issue the family needs help resolving. We help them to solve theproblem and teach them skills that will carry over to other situations. My goal for a client is to make them self-sufficient.” Louise has been in private practice in Boulder for over 13 years. Alongwith working with individuals, couples and families in private sessions,she is a Certified Family Life Educator, working with groups for couples,parents, women and mixed groups focusing on life cycle transitional issues,relationship issues, caring for aging parents, children, and other specificissues related to development and well-being. “In my monthly column (in the Left Hand Valley Courier), I write aboutissues that are of interest to individuals, couples, and families and I includeextensive resources. Writing the column isn’t that different from what Ido when working with a client. I provide information and knowledge and teacha different way of approaching life.” Louise has been married for 36 years and has three grown children andfour grandchildren. She enjoys the outdoors and is a volunteer naturalistfor Boulder County Parks and Open Space. Along with running, she enjoys crosscountry skiing and playing golf. She is also active in neighborhood projects. Louise Alderson’s office is located at 3393 Iris Avenue, Suite 208, Boulder. Her phone number is 303-447-2054. |
Posted January 2001