Maintaining the delicate balance between business and personal interests keeps the machinery of the family business running smoothly.

Getting Started in Counseling

What do business psychologists do?

We specialize in helping family members maintain the delicate balance between business and personal interests. We help them develop procedures for managing interpersonal conflicts and human relation issues that affect the family business.

The time one would turn to a family business psychologist is not different from the times one would seek any other outside professional help. Whether the issues to be addressed are legal, financial, strategic, or interpersonal relations (i.e., psychological) the rule is the same. The right time to call the expert is when people realize that (a) they have interpersonal relations difficulties and they do not have the knowledge and the skills to resolve it themselves, and (b) doing nothing will not make the problem disappear.

What is the difference between a family business psychologist and other psychologists?

Family business psychology is a specialty that combines three main areas:

Understanding the world of business;

Expertise in group and family dynamics; and

Understanding individual differences (personality).

Family business psychologists are familiar with the complex issues involved in running a business. Many of our potential clients ask about the services of family business psychologists. We explain that we are experts in interpersonal communication, management of people, and conflict resolution. Our assistance is focused on resolving the issues that affects the relation of each family member to the business.

Does retaining the services of a family business psychologist mean the family needs psychotherapy?

No, it does not. Family business psychologists are not called upon to conduct psychotherapy. Their expertise is in untangling complex interpersonal relations, specifically those that have to do with business, i.e., with money and influence.

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