Helping Professionals Interview Series: Family Therapy With Sally King, MSW, LCSW, LMFT
It’s okay to see a family therapist even if you aren’t in complete crisis.
When we work with anxiety and anger management with our kids, teens and college students, we sometimes connect families to family therapists even if everything feels like it’s going well. A family therapist can offer their perspective on the entire family dynamic and work on issues together in a way that is different from the work we do individually.
We reached out to family therapists in the St. Louis area to discuss the ins and outs of family therapy to help you decide if it’s the right choice for you. We were fortunate enough to interview Sally King about her experience with helping families form better communication patterns and resolve conflicts. Read more below about her practice and experience!
Family Therapist Sally King, MSW, LCSW, LMFT
Why did you choose to become a family therapist in St. Louis?
I initially practiced family therapy in Chicago while my husband finished Law School. We moved to St. Louis before my youngest child was born. I grew up here and had a nice network of professionals in the field who I leaned on to help me get started in private practice.
What kind of treatment do you provide?
I offer individual, couple and family therapy. My approach is commonly Cognitive Behavioral but I am also trained in Family Systems Theory, Emotion-Focused Therapy and Solution Based Short Term Therapy.
What ages do you work with?
I work with individual clients ages 12 and up. I will see younger children in a family therapy session.
What can families expect to leave with after working with you?
Families I work with can expect to learn and practice tools for better communication and conflict resolution. I work to have everyone’s needs heard and validated while we strive to achieve shared family goals or learn to compromise when necessary.
Who are your favorite types of clients to work with?
My favorite client is someone who is motivated to understand their thoughts, emotions and behaviors and is open to the possibility of change.
What happens during a first appointment with you?
During our first appointment, my clients can expect me to listen and ask questions about why they are pursuing counseling. Together we will discuss an approach to address the presenting issues. I will describe my path to help them find relief and thoughts about how they can work between sessions to practice the tools we discuss together in session.
Could you talk a little about your approach and how it plays into work with people recovering from anxiety?
My style of therapy is grounded in a Family Systems Perspective. I may see individuals but I always assess people in the context of their relationships and interactions with others. When I work with people addressing anxiety, I attempt to understand how an individual’s thoughts affect their emotions and behaviors.
In this current climate of heightened anxiety I have taught many clients to separate their factual thoughts from their fears in an attempt to “re-wire” their anxious brains and tune out the anxiety.
Most of my clients are surprised to learn that the thoughts in their head are not always accurate but can be a result of anxiety. I spend a lot of time teaching people tools or strategies to manage their anxiety and find relief from an overactive mind. As clients come to understand themselves better and learn to manage their emotions, they often find relief in many previously stressed relationships.
What do you wish people knew about getting therapy as a family?
I wish people recognized that you don’t need to be in complete crisis to seek family therapy and that the way you learn to communicate and relate to your family of origin sets the tone for all of your relationships. Experiencing validation in the family setting is such a powerful way for people to learn their voice counts and they are loved and supported even when they don’t see things the exact same way. I believe family therapy can help build connection, confidence and safety that people will use as a guideline for creating other healthy relationships in their lives.
What are some of the biggest benefits and/or differences in family therapy vs individual?
Family therapy is such a powerful and successful approach because I am able to learn about and utilize everyone’s different perspectives about the same situation. It provides an opportunity to work on miscommunication and gives individuals a chance to be heard and understood by their loved ones. Insight is the key to compromise and change and a family modality offers me the opportunity to help people learn how to disagree in a way that is respectful and productive.
How can people learn more and contact you?
My practice is intentionally referral based only, meaning I don’t have an online presence. Potential clients can feel free to call or text me anytime to discuss setting up an appointment at (314) 550-7030
Share one fun fact about you that most people don’t know.
Once upon a time I qualified for and ran the Boston Marathon.
Feeling like you need some parent support?
Our parent coaching program is like therapy for parents, helping you come up with a plan for how to handle the dynamic between you and your child.
Curious to learn more about anxiety treatment? Wondering if you need to connect with a family therapist in St. Louis? Contact Compassionate Counseling St. Louis to set up a free 15-minute phone consult. We’ll talk about what’s going on and best next steps - and if we’re not the right fit, we’ll connect you with other wonderful St. Louis-based therapists, like Sally!
Compassionate Counseling St. Louis provides specialized anger management and anxiety therapy in St. Louis for kids, teens, and college students. We work in Clayton, MO and serve kids, teens, and college students throughout St. Louis City, St. Louis County, Ladue, University City, Town and Country, Webster Groves, Creve Coeur, Kirkwood, Richmond Heights, and Brentwood.
This post was originally published August 2, 2020 and updated February 14, 2023.