Family Therapy and Counseling
Family therapy and counseling is not a very popular term that a lot of people willingly sign up for and are enthusiastic about. However in all of my year in the counseling field there is far less family therapy and counseling than there is marriage and divorce counseling. The important thing to note is that marriage counseling as well as work done in individual counseling affects the entire system. It has a ripple effect that reaches all members of the family. Why not include the whole family? Progress and healing speeds up at a rate that accelerates change and creates effective and new patterns of health behavior for all.
Family therapy and counseling brings together parents, and the siblings as well as anyone else who is considered a part of the family dynamics. The system of a family has a unique structure with its own pattern of communication. This is often defined by the type of parenting styles, personalty and other unique qualities each member brings to the table.
Every family member is an individual. They are in fact products of the world around then and the environment in which they were raised. The dynamics of the family plays a major role in the spiritual, physical and emotional development. Each family member is impacted significantly by each members behaviors. To give an example: When one member has an illness this can significantly change the interactions and the lives of each family member. .
Family Therapy and Counseling
When is It Helpful to Attend?
- When attempting to resolve specific issues
- Times of distress : Separation, divorce, remarriage, death, loss of a close relative
- Job relocation
- Alcohol or drug abuse
- A family member that struggles with depression, anxiety, anger, etc
Depending on the needs after the initial session, it may be important to then see some members for individual or the parents for couples sessions. I may have assignments for certain members throughout our meeting together.
BENEFITS OF FAMILY THERAPY
Evaluating the issues is session can help a family in the following ways:
- Understanding how the family functions.
- Identifying the strengths and the weaknesses in the family.
- Setting goals and developing strategies to assist in resolving challenges.
- Improving communication.
- Assist in making the family stronger and more cohesive.
Family Therapy and Counseling
What Makes It So Unique?
I love family therapy because I can remember in my graduate school taking the classes on family systems and dynamics. I loved the idea and concepts behind the therapeutic technique of strategic and structural therapy. These approaches aim at looking at how the family dynamics are set up and how the power is shifted between members. It takes a very hands on approach with each family member and the therapist is able at times to jump in as a family member to help shift the dynamics.
Family therapy and counseling can work fast when all members are willing to attend. The ability to shift the dynamics only takes willingness and awareness to look at each others roles and change the dynamics to create a healthy flow of communication and interaction.
All can benefit from family counseling. If your seeking to create a healthy, closer relationship with family members then family counseling is for you.
Family Therapy and Counseling
Seek Help Today
Start the process of healing today. Your family is worth the time. There is so much to gain from everyone taking an honest look and evaluation of their role in the family. It starts with the desire to want to live a life in peace, balance and harmony. Call today and lets get started on the right track.
