Family therapy
The family therapy is a kind of psychological counseling (psychotherapy) which can assist family members improve their communication skills and settle disagreements.
Family therapy is typically provided by a psychologist, a clinical social worker, or licensed therapist. Therapists with graduated or postgraduate degrees and can be certified through the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT).
Family therapy is typically short-term. It could comprise all family members, or just those who are willing to take part. Your treatment program will be based on the situation of your family. Family therapy sessions can help you learn ways to build stronger bonds with your family and cope with stressful moments, even after you’ve completed with therapy sessions.
What’s the reason for it?
Family therapy can assist you in resolving relationship problems with your spouse or children, as well as others in your family. It can address specific issues , such as financial or marital issues conflicts between parents and children or the effect of substance abuse or mental disease on your whole family.
The family members of your family could seek family therapy in addition to other forms that provide mental health treatments, particularly in the event that one of you suffers from the mental addiction or illness which requires additional therapy or rehabilitation therapy. For instance:
- Family therapy can assist family members cope when relatives suffer from a serious mental illness , such as schizophrenia. However, the person suffering from schizophrenia must stick to their individual treatment plan. This could consist of medication, one-on-one therapy or other treatments.
- In the event of addiction, the family member can participate in the family therapy when the person suffering from an addiction is in residential treatment. In some cases, families can be involved with therapy with the entire family therapy in spite of the fact that the individual who is suffering from addiction hasn’t sought treatment for himself or herself.
Family therapy can be beneficial in any family issue that can cause stress, grief or anger. It will assist both you and the family members get to know each other better and develop strategies to help you get closer.
How do you make
It is possible to inquire with your doctor or another primary care physician for the recommendation of an therapist. Friends or family members may provide recommendations in light of their experience. You can also ask your clergy, your employee assistance program or your state or local mental health institutions for recommendations for therapy providers.
Before you schedule sessions for a therapy session think about whether the therapist will be a suitable fit for your family. Here are some things to take into consideration and questions to ask:
- Experience and education. What is your qualifications and education background? Do you have a license from your state? Are you recognized with the AAMFT or other professional associations? Do you have specialized knowledge in familial psychotherapy? What have you learned from my family’s specific type of issues?
- The location and the availability. Where is your office? What are the hours of your office? Are you accessible in the event of an emergency?
- Length and the number of sessions. How long is each session? What is the frequency of sessions scheduled? What number of sessions are I expected to attend?
- Charges and Insurance. How much do you charge per session? Are the services you provide covered by the insurance plan I have? health coverage plan? Do I have to pay the entire cost in advance? What are your policies regarding sessions that are cancelled sessions?
What can you be prepared to
Family therapy typically brings many family members together to attend therapy sessions. However, family members could also visit an individual therapist in the family.
Sessions generally last 50 to an hour. Family therapy tends to be short-term typically 12 sessions. But, the frequency at which you’ll meet as well as the amount of sessions you’ll require will depend on the family’s circumstances and the advice of your therapist.
When you are in family therapy It is possible to:
- Assess your family’s ability to resolve issues and communicate thoughts and feelings effectively
- Examine the family’s roles, rules, and patterns of behavior to pinpoint conflicts and strategies to resolve these conflicts
- Find out your family’s strengths that you can identify, like the way they care for one another, as well as weak points, such as having the difficulty of confiding in each other
Example: Depression
Imagine that your son is an adult and is suffering from depression. Your family members don’t know about the severity of his illness or how to help. While you’re concerned about your son’s health discussions with him or with other family members turn into heated arguments, and you’re anger and frustrated. Communication is slowed as decisions aren’t made and family members are unable to communicate with each other , and the gap gets bigger.
In such a case the family therapy could be a solution:
- Find out the specific issues you face and determine how your family members are handling these issues
- Find new ways to connect and avoid unhealthy ways of interrelation
- Set family and personal goals and figure out strategies to reach them.
Results
Family therapy isn’t a guarantee to resolve family disputes or make a difficult situation disappear. However, it can aid your family members and you to better understand each other and provide strategies to deal with difficult situations in a more efficient method. It could also help your family to feel more belonging.