When we think of family therapy, we refer to the type of counseling that addresses conflicts and situations related to the entire family, not just on an individual level.
Family therapy focuses on managing conflicts within the family, learning to communicate more effectively, and deepening connections between family members.
Family therapy can be between all members or just the ones that are willing to participate in the seasons.
With that in mind, here’s a look at what you can expect from family therapy.
So, What Is Family Therapy?
When family members attend family therapy and counseling, they are taking different steps to manage and approach whatever issues they are experiencing within their family dynamics.
Substance abuse, mental health conditions, illness, loss, and conflicts are some of the problems that bring people to family therapy. Depending on each family’s needs, the therapist will help them cope with anger, grief, stress, and other emotions and situations.
Going to family therapy is not about the therapist solving your problems, but helping you find the tools to cope with certain problems. They can also help bring to the surface family resources that can make it possible for your family to have healthier, more balanced dynamics. Call https://www.palmtreeclinic.com/ for more information.
5 Things to Expect from Family Therapy
All families experience difficult and challenging moments and situations. A family therapist will be able to support and provide the family with a neutral ground to start to communicate more efficiently and navigate their situation.
But, not knowing what to expect from family therapy can also feel intimidating. Here we explore some of the things that your family can experience during therapy:
- Identifying and Understanding Your Problem
A family therapist will listen to all participants and get an overview of the situation and how each member is living it. Pain, sadness, and resentment are some of the emotions that can come up during sessions. The therapist will assess these feelings, making it possible for you to move forward with the therapy.
- Examining Family Dynamics
The therapist will examine the family dynamics to see how each member expresses themselves and how they solve conflicts or cope with the situation they are in.
- Examining Family Strengths and Weaknesses
During family therapy sessions, the therapist will also identify the strengths the family has and will teach you how to maximize them. They will also help you discover your weaknesses and explore the best ways of overcoming them.
- Engaging in Family Activities
These activities can be in the form of games that stimulate communication and conversation between family members to improve and strengthen relationships and bonds.
- Learning How to Better Navigate Family Relationships
A therapist will help the family develop and strengthen skills that help each member manage anger, improve communication skills, reduce stress, discover ways to deal with conflicts, and so on. These skills can also be applied outside of therapy both in family and social situations.
Your Family Can Be an Essential Support Group
If you’re dealing with addiction, then the support of your family can matter tremendously. But, to make sure you know how to properly communicate about sensitive topics, you may need to attend family therapy.
Write down your questions, address your concerns and explain to the therapist why you and your family are there. It will be the first step to improving the dynamics within your family.