Family Therapy

Family therapy is a specialized form of psychotherapy that helps families improve communication, problem-solving, and overall functioning. Life throws curveballs, and family therapy can be a powerful tool during difficult times.

What Is Family Therapy?

Family therapy is a collaborative form of psychotherapy that aims to improve communication, resolve conflict, and foster healthy relationships within a family unit. Therapists view the family as a system where each member’s actions and emotions impact the others. 

Therapists create a safe space for respectful dialogue. Family therapy can help with a wide range of challenges many families face:

• Communication and conflict issues 
• Mental health concerns in a family member (depression, anxiety, addiction)
• Behavioral issues in children or teenagers
• Life transitions (divorce, blended families, aging parents, grief)
• Family dynamics and relationships (disconnection, boundaries)
• Trauma and grief
• Unhealthy boundaries
• Stress and anger

Typically, family therapists hold advanced degrees (master’s degree or PhD) in fields such as marriage and family therapy, social work, psychology, and counseling, along with experience working with families.

Family problems are usually complex and involve an interplay of behaviors and communication patterns from different members. Participation from each family member is helpful during family therapy as it allows your therapist to understand the whole picture and develop a comprehensive treatment plan.

If you’re deciding whether family therapy is suitable for your family, ask yourself the following questions: 

• Do we struggle to communicate effectively with each other? 
• Are there unresolved conflicts in the family creating tension?
• Have recent changes in the family (divorce, new baby, etc.) created strain? 
• Is a family member struggling to cope with a mental health condition? 
• Has the family experienced a traumatic event that everyone is struggling to process?

There are many reasons why families go to therapy. If you’re unsure whether family therapy is the right fit for you, consider scheduling a consultation with a family therapist and discuss your concerns in more detail.

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFTs) are specialists in this area, but therapists from social work, psychology, or counseling with family therapy experience can also be a great fit.

Benefits of Family Therapy

Family therapy is a collaborative process that takes time; it’s not a quick fix. However, family therapy can have long-lasting benefits, leading to a healthier and more supportive family unit. 

Benefits of family therapy include: 

• Improved communication and conflict resolution 
• Healthier relationships 
• Stronger bond 
• Increased empathy 
• More effective parenting strategies 
• Improved mental and emotional well-being 
• Healthier boundaries 
• Processing of traumatic experiences 
• Building resilience 

Different Types of Family Therapy

Like any type of therapy, there isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach to family therapy. The best family therapy will depend on your specific needs and concerns. Some therapists use a specific therapeutic approach, while others incorporate different types and techniques. 

Types of approaches often used in family therapy include: 

• Structural Family Therapy focuses on family structure and hierarchies. This approach helps you work together, identify any patterns that might be causing problems, and adjust them for smoother communication, clearer boundaries, and less conflict.
• Strategic Family Therapy uses specific interventions to interrupt unhealthy behavioral patterns. It aims to intervene quicker for disruptive behaviors, effectively address specific problems, and promote new patterns of interaction.
• Narrative Therapy helps families rewrite their shared story to overcome negative patterns, empowering families to take control of their story, promoting resilience and hope, and fostering a sense of collective agency.
• Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) emphasizes emotional connection and attachment within the family unit. It helps families build stronger emotional bonds by learning to express their feelings clearly and understand each other better.
• Cognitive-Behavioral Family Therapy (CBFT) combines CBT principles with family therapy techniques. It can be helpful for managing negative thoughts and behaviors that might be causing family tension.
• Family Systems Therapy views families as interconnected units. Therapists help them understand how their interactions impact each other and address issues within this system.
• Psychoeducation equips families with knowledge about mental health conditions affecting a family member. This can help families understand how best to support a loved one. 

Our Approach to Family Therapy

Our expert and vetted mental health professionals offer a personalized and comprehensive approach to therapy. 

• In-Depth Assessment: Our therapists will start with a thorough assessment to understand your family’s specific dynamic, situation, and goals. 
• Collaborative Approach: Your therapist will work with your family to choose the best evidence-based approach and techniques, creating a tailored treatment plan built entirely around your family. 
• Expertise and Experience: All our therapists are experts in their fields. Our client coordinator will match you with therapists who have the experience and expertise for your needs so that you can get the right fit for you. 
• Integrated Care: At Thriving Center of Psych, we provide individual, couples, and family therapy and medication management when needed for targeted support for every family member. 

How Family Therapy Could Help

Family therapists can help provide families with the tools and skills to communicate effectively, manage challenges, and build stronger connections. This can help lead to a more supportive, healthier, and happier family unit. 

Family therapy can help with many challenges: 

• Improve communication and conflict resolution by identifying unhealthy communication patterns like blaming or interrupting. 
• Provide a safe and open space to talk about mental health challenges and help family members understand the impact. 
• Help families navigate difficult changes like divorce or a specific transition.
• Resolve past hurts and build more trusting relationships. 
• Establish healthy boundaries between family members.

How Long Does Family Therapy Last?

How long family therapy lasts depends on several factors: 

• The specific challenge or situation the family is facing
• The family’s goals 
• The frequency of sessions 
• The family’s progress and response to therapy 

In general, short-term therapy could take 6-12 sessions. For instance, helping a child to adjust to a new school or processing a recent family argument. However, families that are dealing with complex issues like addiction and severe mental health conditions will likely require long-term therapy. 

By working with your therapist, you can determine the best pace for your family and the length of treatment based on your unique needs and situation.

When to Contact a Qualified Therapist

While any family may benefit from speaking with a therapist, some signs that your family may find it helpful include: 

• Communication breakdowns or constant arguments within the family
• Mental health concerns that are impacting the family unit 
• Behavioral problems causing significant disruptions or distress for the family 
• Major life challenges like divorce, blended families, or serious illness
• Feeling overwhelmed by family challenges 
• Feeling disconnected within the family 
• Negative family dynamics, unhealthy patterns, or unresolved issues 

If your family is struggling with communication, conflict, or life changes, the experts at Thriving Center of Psych can help. Let’s start building a happier, healthier family together. We have offices nationwide; book an appointment online or in person today.