Demystifying Family Therapy: What to Expect During Sessions
“The Family is the single most important social unit in our society, and it is the foundation fo our emotional and psychological development”- Virginia Satir.
Bringing the whole family in for sessions isn’t the easiest task. It’s normal to be anxious and confused about what to expect. After the initial consultation, you may be confused about why your counselor asked you to bring everyone in the family.
A few ways family therapists help:
Identifying family patterns: Therapist work to help you understand the interconnectedness of your family members and the patterns of behavior that may contribute to problems within the family.
Promoting positive communication: Promoting positive and effective communication between family members is a focus of therapists to increase understanding and respect.
Enhancing problem-solving skills: Families develop problem-solving skills to tackle issues that may arise after initial problems are worked through.
Reducing stress: Family therapy can help you identify and alleviate factors contributing to stress within the family unit.
Enhancing family cohesion: Family therapists encourage teamwork and communication to promote a more cohesive family unit.
Promoting individual development: Your therapist will help you identify each family member’s areas of strengths and growth to improve individual mental health and relationships between everyone.
Supporting transitions: Family systems therapy can help families navigate tough times of transition like divorce, remarriage, or blended families.
Addressing specific issues: Your sessions can be used to focus on particular issues with your therapist such as substance abuse, mental health issues, or behavioral problems in children.
The therapy process is collaborative, and any discomfort can be addressed with your therapist directly. Your therapist is here to help your family develop improved ways of relating and create more significant opportunities for connection.
“The goal of family therapy is to help families create a more positive and supportive environment, where each member can thrive and grow”
