The Family Life Center is a training center for graduate and doctoral students in the Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) program at St. Mary's University. Quality counseling for individuals, couples and families is provided by graduate interns from the Department of Counseling and Human Services. Clients receive the highest quality of services from therapists under the direct supervision of a seasoned and experienced professional. Spanish-speaking counselors also are available upon request.

The MFT program at St. Mary's is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE).


COMMON ISSUES ADDRESSED

For Adults:

Marital or couple relationship problems
Premarital counseling
Communication skills
Divorce recovery
Depression
Anxiety
Managing stress
Grief

For Children and Adolescents:

Parenting challenges
Family conflict
Behavior problems
Depression
Anxiety
Peer relationships
School challenges
Attention deficit and hyperactivity


Special Services Available at The Family Life Center


PLAY THERAPY

Play is a natural way for children to both learn from and communicate with adults. Research has shown that play is an essential part of child development. Through play, children can learn creativity, self-control, emotional expression and social skills. There are many different therapeutic treatment modalities for children referred to as play therapy that are utilized by family therapists, social workers, counselors and other mental health professionals. All of these methods use play as a way of engaging children in the therapeutic process. Also, because children learn and process experiences through play, play therapy is utilized to communicate with and help children with a wide variety of issues.


NEUROFEEDBACK TRAINING

Neurofeedback training (NFB) is a cutting-edge approach used to treat a wide variety of issues in adults and children, such as depression, anxiety, sleep disturbances, ADHD and autism spectrum disorders. Operating somewhat like a video or computer game, NFB alters the client's brainwaves by rewarding the client with points, sounds or visual images on the computer screen when “healthy” brainwaves are produced. Research has found NFB to be an effective treatment for many issues, especially when utilized along with psychotherapy. Call for more information to find out if NFB might be a helpful treatment.


Cost of Therapy Services

In order to accommodate the needs of clients with limited resources,The Family Life Center offers high quality services on a sliding scale based on clients' household incomes and personal financial situations. Fees are determined when clients' first therapy session is scheduled.


Marriage and Family Therapy Program Faculty

Laura Bryan, Ph.D.
Clinical Administrator, Family Life Center
(210) 436-3133

Becky R. Davenport, Ph.D., LMFT
Program Director, Marriage and Family Therapy
(210) 436-3226
bdavenport@stmarytx.edu

Randall R. Lyle, Ph.D., LMFT
(210) 436-3226
rlyle@stmarytx.edu

Dan Ratliff, Ph.D., LMFT
Clinical Director, Marriage and Family Therapy
(210) 436-3226
dratliff@stmarytx.edu