54 Friends Lane, Suite 114 Newtown, PA 18940
Stepfamilies * Co-Parenting * Divorce Discernment * Family Estrangement
Updated Covid-19 Information 12/22
Due to a rise in Covid, flu, and RSV, Step Together Family Therapy will continue to offer HIPAA-compliant remote telehealth services for clients in PA until further notice. Please contact us directly for more information.
A Realistic Approach to Complex Issues
- Do you have a stepfamily/blended family which causes challenges within your daily life?
- Are you a couple who is struggling to decide whether to divorce or stay in your marriage?
- Are you and your ex finding it difficult to effectively co-parent?
- Are you experiencing estrangement from family members, either sibling, parent, or child-related?
If you answered "Yes" to any of these, then you are looking for the specialized attention which Step Together Family Therapy offers.
Change is Possible!
Sometimes families feel like there is no hope. Especially during those most challenging times which families may confront at some point:
- the break up of a marriage
- being estranged from children or grandchildren
- trying to communicate with a difficult ex after divorce
- putting an end to the "monster of entitlement" with adult children
- learning to navigate extended family issues after marriage, including in-laws and new grandparent roles
However, moving forward from what seems impossible is possible. This is achieved by providing a neutral and safe therapeutic space, listening to your concerns, and setting goals to move families toward a happier and more peaceful life.
The Power is Within You
My personal goal is to help you overcome your struggles, heal from your pain, and move forward within the life of your family and on your personal road to self-discovery. My focus is to help individuals and families become more aware of their inner strengths.
I will be here with you along the way, as your family learns to live with, and love one another, in harmony and mutual respect... step-by-step.
Areas of Special Interest
Co-Parenting
Marital Separation Counseling
Marital Separation Counseling
Co-parenting after the break-up of a relationship can be one of the most difficult things a parent will face. But if your child is placed in the middle of constant conflict between his parents, he will ultimately pay the price in the long run. Learn how to effectively communicate with your ex even when hard feelings linger. Your child will thank you!
Marital Separation Counseling
Marital Separation Counseling
Marital Separation Counseling
It's great to work on your relationship before problems start. But realistically, we know this does not always happen. Divorce discernment is a structured protocol which can help couples address the painful realities of considering the future course of their marriage, especially when partners are in various stages of ambivalance about whether to stay or go.
Family Estrangement
Marital Separation Counseling
Family Estrangement
There are many factors which contribute to distance within family relationships: divorce, abuse, and boundary crossing, just to name a few. It is never too late to mend these fractured relationships between yourself and a family member. But it does take work. Healing these broken bonds is a beautiful gift you give not only to your estranged family member, but also to yourself.
Specializing in Stepfamily Support
"Step"? "Blended"? "Bonus"?
It does not matter what you call your family, but if you have attempted to combine two families together from previous relationships and those involve children- you know just how difficult a challenge this can be!
Even under the best of circumstances, children can have an especially difficult time acclimating to these big family changes:
- the dissolution of their one-time "happy" family
- the moving out from a home they loved
- mom or dad starting to date someone new
- the addition of new "siblings" whom they may or may not like, or even understand
Now, consider these typical scenarios:
- Your child just does not like your new partner and the two of them are fighting all the time
- Your ex is not happy about this new person in their child's life and these fights end up putting your kiddo in the middle of this "battle"
- You and your new partner finally move in together, only to find out you parent on opposite sides of the "parenting playbook"
- You and your partner are able to parent fairly consistently, but sometimes feel hurt and jealous when your partner "chooses" their child over you
At Step Together Family Therapy, working with Stepfamilies is what we do. We help:
- address concepts unique to the stepfamily relationship (insider/outsider position)
- teach parents specific step-parenting strategies
- de-escalate the conflict in the home and bring peace within their new stepfamily
Whoever said blending two families was as easy as "The Brady Bunch" must have been crazy!
ABOUT YOUR THERAPIST
Lisa Wajert, MA, LMFT
I hold a B.A. in Psychology from Holy Family University and an M.A. in Marriage and Family Therapy from La Salle University. I am a Clinical Fellow of AAMFT, member of PAMFT, and a member of the National Stepfamily Resource Center. I am also a Child Custody Evaluator for Court Conciliation and Evaluation Services in Bucks County and a member of the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts.
My husband and I have successfully raised five children in our own stepfamily for the past 19 years. I tend to take a no-nonsense and realistic approach in offering families practical strategies that can help change the negative patterns which currently keep them stuck.
Help is Closer Than You Think
Maybe you think you just don't have the time in your life for weekly therapy. But your family's busy schedule can be easily accommodated with convenient morning, afternoon, evening, and weekend appointments.
Currently, we are offering HIPAA-compliant telehealth sessions during the pandemic. So now, securing a convenient appointment time is easier than ever!
Check me out on Psychology Today!
Why choose a Marriage and Family Therapist?
Marriage and Family Therapists (MFTs)
Are specifically skilled to:
- diagnose and treat mental and emotional disorders within the context of marriage, couple, and family systems.
- understand and facilitate change in relationships
- explore and clarify patterns of communication, interaction and behavior
Payment/Insurance Information
Insurance is not accepted at this time and all sessions are private pay (credit, debit, cash, or flexible health savings accounts). Please contact us for more information about our sessions fees.
Clients are asked to contact their insurance carriers to see if they reimburse for out-of-network providers. If so, a superbill can be provided to submit for reimbursement.
Step Together uses a HIPAA-compliant app called "IvyPay," which is for licensed therapists only, and offers a convenient and secure method for payment.
