Please remember, this column is designed to help the consumer seeking behavioral-health information, and not intended to be any form of psychotherapy or a replacement for professional, individualized services. Opinions expressed in the column are those of the columnist and do not represent the position of other SelfhelpMagazine.com staff.

Question

How can a family have a relationship with a new husband when his domineering wife doesn't want to have anything to do with the family?

Answer

Family conflicts like the above example can be very disturbing to many people. The first year of marriage contains major adjustments for the new couple and extended family members. A guideline for all connected to this couple is to stay away from deciding who is to blame and continue extending invitations to them. The more complicated and destructive this problem is, the more you may wish to consider professional intervention with someone who has experience in marital and family therapy and/or mediation.

3/12/98

Connie Saindon, M.A., MFT, has been a Licensed Marital and Family Therapist since 1979. In addition to providing services for Individuals, couples and families, Ms. Saindon is among the few specialists in the field of violent death bereavement. Founder the Survivors of Violent Death Program and volunteer faculty at the University of California Medical School Department of Psychiatry, she is author of The Journey, Violent Death Bereavement: Adult Survivors Workbook and contributing author of Violent Death: Resilience and Intervention beyond the Crisis. To reach her, please see this page.