The Role of Family Therapy in Building Resilient Families
Chances are you've heard the popular phrase "blood is thicker than water". Sentiments such as this paint an important picture of just how much family can mean to us. Family is often a central part of our lives. For some, family may be a place of love and unconditional positive regard. A place where you can turn to for advice, support, and people you know you can always rely on. But perhaps for you, your family feels like they are simply tolerating each other. Maybe your household is filled with emotional outbursts and people who are overly critical. Possibly you haven't spoken to one or both of your parents for a while and are still hurt by things that happened in your childhood. You might be going through a transition where you are blending families and are having trouble connecting. Perhaps you are currently living together and feel just like roommates. You may have even tried to bring these issues up before just to be shut down and dismissed. This may be something that has recently just started or something that has been happening for a long time. Does this sound like you? Well, family therapy may be just the thing to consider.
What is Family Therapy?
Family therapy focuses on improving the functioning of the family unit. In family relationships, we are going through constant change as we grow and age. For example, the shift to teenage-hood is often a period of strain in families as teens are figuring out who they are in the world. Additionally, the shift to adulthood can another time of turmoil as adult children want to spread their wings, but parents are having trouble letting go. Every family experiences periods of disconnection and strain that can lead to people growing apart. Family counselling provides a space where each family member can express their needs and be heard by their loved ones. Often families face many problems such as arguments, miscommunication, and misunderstandings. In your household you may not be able to work through these problems easily on your own. Even the healthiest of families have issues which can result in frustrating interactions among family members. Family therapy can allow you a safe space to work out these problems and rebuild your family dynamic. Issues faced in family therapy can range from "big" problems (e.g., addictions, mental illness, grief, divorce, etc.) to "small" problems.
Common topics often talked about in family therapy...
Boundaries
Relationships/partners
Communication
Raising children (e.g., parenting styles)
Finances
Divorce/separation
Unresolved traumas
Concerns of blended families
Broken down communication
Separation and Divorce issues
Parenting consultation and skills training
Relationship Difficulties
Addiction or mental health of a family member
Marital or Relationship breakdown
Healing past traumas
Repairing attachment
Substance abuse issues
Major life transitions
What should I expect?
The therapy sessions are usually done as a family unit however your therapist may request individual meetings at first to better understand the different perspectives of each member. After this, the therapist will bring everyone together to discuss common ground. In a session depending on the nature of the problem, the therapist may use a variety of techniques to help your family work through the issues. Techniques include role-playing, games, activities, emotion exploration, and attachment-based strategies. It is important to note that the therapist remains impartial and neutral while navigating the presenting conflict as, to the therapist, the family is the client.
Family Therapy with Children and Adolescents
Family therapy can be done in a variety of dynamics including families with children and adolescents. Oftentimes family therapy is beneficial for families experiencing issues with the transition from childhood to adolescence. Perhaps your adolescent child is uncommunicative, defiant, struggling to fit in with peers, anxious, moody, and struggling with academics, among other issues. Another situation where you may seek family therapy is after a separation or divorce. Your family may be going through a transition where you are getting remarried and/or incorporating more member(s) into your family. This may be a time of turmoil for your family as you figure out the new family dynamics and blend families. Family therapy can also be done with stepparents and can improve your relationship and benefit the entire family.
Family Therapy with Adult Children
Additionally, family therapy is not limited to people still living under the same roof and it can be done with adult children as well. Oftentimes when people think of family therapy, they limit it to images of parents trying to reconcile with their “rebellious” teenager, but family therapy can also be used with adult children and their parents to address long-standing issues. Family therapy allows you to work through past hurts that may have come up in childhood. For example, maybe you had a negative childhood experience that you have been wanting to discuss for a while but every time you bring it up you get shut down. Not resolving the issues may let anger, hurt, and frustration linger. Family therapy can allow adult children and parents to work through a wide range of things and build connections
Family Therapy at Brookhaven Psychotherapy
Here at Brookhaven Psychotherapy, we offer family therapy through our staff members Emma Ganton, Chris Pimento, Reanne Burgess, and Amanda Schmalz who are all highly trained family therapists.
To learn more about how our clinic can help you, contact us today for more information.
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