John T. Niehaus, LISW-S, IMFT

Psychotherapy for Adults, Children, Adolescents, Couples and Families

In my current practice I see a broad range of families, couples, and individuals. In addition to treatment of depression and anxiety, chemical and behavioral addictions are an area of special interest to me, and I have helped many families who struggle with these addictions. I have worked successfully with thousands of couples and families using an attachment-based approach. I have worked with many trauma survivors combining EMDR and psychotherapy. I do my own scheduling, and I prefer to speak personally to each caller at the time of scheduling.

Since 1964 I have been privileged to serve thousands of families in the Tri-State area. In addition, I have trained hundreds of Psychotherapists in marriage and family therapy, both at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine-Department of Psychiatry, and under the auspices of my private training program, John T. Niehaus Seminars. Prior to entering private practice, I spent thirteen years in three community mental health centers as therapist, supervisor, and director.

• Licensed Independent Social Worker – Ohio
• Licensed Independent Marriage and Family Therapist – Ohio
• Board Certified Diplomate – American Board of Examiners in Clinical Social Work
• Approved Supervisor – American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy
• Certified Group Psychotherapist – National Registry of Certified Group Psychotherapists
• Adjunct Faculty - Cincinnati Psychoanalytic Institute
• Assistant Professor of Psychiatry (Adjunct) University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry
• Full Clinical Member - American Family Therapy Academy
• Founding Member – International Association of Marriage and Family Therapy Training Programs
• Full Member – American Group Psychotherapy Association

Conflict Resolution

Whether it be starting a marriage or starting a business, conflict is part of the process, and workplace conflict resolution is part of the process of growth and healthy change. Denial, avoidance, and domination are common responses to conflict which often make the conflict last longer, become more serious in nature, or go underground.

The beginning of wisdom is to call things by their right names, goes the Chinese proverb. Conflict is always about change. In my work with conflict resolution I have found that chronic conflict is really resistance to change. Change in behavior, attitude, or relationship, can be the spark that ignites a chain reaction in the organization. Conflict must be resolved before such change is possible. Recognizing the need for outside help can be the first important step in the change.

Signs of the need for outside help are usually the following:

• Efforts to resolve the conflict have failed.
• Efforts to resolve the conflict have led to new problems.
• Attitudes of pessimism about solving the problem are common.
• Nobody brings up the problem anymore unless it is absolutely necessary.

These common signs of “stuckness” mean that it is time for a new perspective.

The heart of team conflict resolution is communication. It is a process which requires in-depth and skillful assessment of the problem, identification and discovery of a range of options for resolving the problems, and implementing action steps to support the necessary change. In short, figure out what the problem is, figure out what can be done about it, and then do it.