Family therapy may seem daunting at first, but if you and your loved ones are struggling as a unit, it is often the best option to help you start solving some of the problems you are dealing with. Through this kind of therapy, your family can learn how to better communicate with one another and improve conflict resolution.
In this article, we will discuss how family therapy works, outlining the different types of therapy and various techniques used, what you can expect from your first session and family therapy as a whole, the benefits associated with it and its effectiveness, as well as some additional considerations, all of which will hopefully assist you in determining if family therapy is right for you.
Key Takeaways
How Family Therapy Works
Family therapy is a form of group treatment that focuses on improving relationships between family members, whether blood-related or not. Through learning how to better communicate with one another, family members can begin to address the conflicts between them and build stronger connections in order to move forward together in a healthy way.
Types of Family Therapy and Techniques Used
In regard to exactly how family therapy works, there are different types of family therapy that can be used, which may or may not be best for you depending on the issues you are facing. These types include:
There are also different techniques that can be used in your therapy sessions depending on the needs of your family, such as:
What Happens in the First Family Therapy Session
The first family therapy session is a discovery session, which serves as an introduction between the family and the therapist. During this time, you will discuss why your family decided to come to therapy, the issue you want solved, and your goals for the future.
The therapist will explore the different approaches they can use with you and determine which one would be best for your specific family situation. The therapy process as a whole will also be explained and any other intake forms/paperwork will be completed.
What to Expect in Family Therapy
The core of family therapy is conversation that takes place in a safe, supportive and judgement-free environment with a specially trained and objective professional. As such, much of what is expected during sessions includes your therapist:
Your therapist might also want to meet with family members individually outside of the group sessions to get a better grasp of specific concerns and family dynamics.
There is ultimately no telling how long family therapy could last, as the amount of sessions and frequency at which they occur are fully dependent on your family’s unique circumstances. As a result, therapy could involve only a few sessions or it could go on for several months.
Benefits and Effectiveness of Family Therapy
When thinking more about what to expect in family therapy, there are many benefits that can come from it. First and foremost, studies have shown that family therapy improves communication amongst family members. This helps in a multitude of ways, from reduced misunderstandings to better conflict resolution to increased empathy for one another and enhanced family dynamics.
In the case that one family member is struggling with mental illness, family therapy can also help other family members better support that individual. For example, family members can become better educated on mental illness, as well as begin to understand and address how their own behaviours maintain or worsen the individual’s mental health.
Specific research about the effectiveness of family therapy has found that:
Things to Consider
When preparing for family therapy, it is important to understand that it can be quite distressing and difficult to talk about the problems you are facing, especially at first. Remember that as hard as it may be, your therapist is a professional who is there to help.
Even still, family therapy may not be right for everyone, and if one of your family members does not want to participate, this can actually make matters worse. So, be sure that all family members are willing to commit to therapy before beginning.
Additionally, remember that these things take time. Your problems won’t be solved after just one session and, at the end of the day, therapy can be hard work. This is something that needs to be stuck with, not abandoned if you don’t see results right away.
Final Thoughts
Overall, family therapy is a great way to improve the relationship between family members and loved ones. The family therapy process involves an initial discovery session, so that the therapist can better understand your family and your goals for therapy, and with different types of therapy and techniques that can be tailored to your experiences and needs, it can undoubtedly allow for better communication and conflict resolution.
At Positive Mind Wellness, our professional therapists are here to help you and your family support each other, navigating challenges as a team. For more information or to book a complimentary discovery session, contact us today.
