FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Hillary Angel
Phone: (909) 390-1239
E-mail: hangel@wilkinguge.com

MARRIAGE & FAMILY: CELEBRATING HOLIDAY TRADITIONS

San Diego, October 9 2007 – ‘Tis the season for newlyweds to celebrate holidays with their newly acquired families. Despite the joy, exchanging holiday cheer with extended family members and participating in new traditions, especially religious and ethnic customs can be daunting, challenging and stressful.

To mitigate the anxiety of celebrating the holidays with new family traditions, the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (CAMFT) recommends engaging with the new contemporary family by making seasonal visits more meaningful, rather than allowing the occasion to threaten your own beliefs and traditions.

• Avoid stereotyping. Limit yourself on categorizing people in groups. Look for differences that you value about your family members.

• Respect cultural differences. Some customs are difficult to understand and hard to accept. Even though you may not agree with certain customs, learn to respect your family member’s beliefs.

• Express yourself. Closing yourself to your family members will only make them feel more uncomfortable. Don’t be afraid to be yourself and share your personality.

• Share your cultural background. Help them to understand what is great about your customs. Talk to them about family stories that promote your culture.

•Listen. By listening, we can improve relationships and show that we care about what others have to say.

• Learn new things. Don’t be afraid to interact with family members even if there is a language barrier. Maybe you can learn some phrases or research about different cultures.

If you still feel that these differences are too overwhelming or difficult to resolve, consider contacting a Marriage and Family Therapist to help. Therapy can help with relieving stress, communicating more effectively, and addressing issues that might be difficult to handle. To learn more about mental health or to locate a MFT, visit www.TherapistFinder.com.

About CAMFT
The California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (CAMFT), with 27 chapters throughout the state, is an independent professional organization, representing the interests of licensed Marriage and Family Therapists. CAMFT provides www.TherapistFinder.com as a resource to prospective patients looking for Marriage and Family Therapists located in California. For more information CAMFT, please call (858) 292-2638 or visit www.camft.org.