Whether you have major issues with communication or just want to improve your ability to cope with problems that may arise in your life, family counselling is a great option for any type of family. With a specialised skill set that is not taught in general mental health training, family therapy can help you heal from past experiences and create a more positive and supportive environment for your family to function in.
A common reason for family counselling is conflict, ranging from a disagreement with a sibling to a more serious problem like an addiction or infidelity. Many of these conflicts can have their roots in a difficult childhood, or a negative relationship with a parent. No matter what the issue is, a therapist can teach you how to talk openly about your feelings in a safe space where there will be no judgement. They will also be able to help you develop healthy coping skills to deal with future problems.
It is not uncommon for family members to bring up problems they have with one another during sessions, but at the same time it is important for the therapist to recognise that these are just symptoms of a bigger issue and not the cause. The therapist will use their experience and knowledge to determine what the root cause of the issue is, and how they can help the family resolve it.
Some families can put on a guarded façade during the session, refusing to challenge each other and allowing the therapist to fix to one member of the family. This is why it is important for a good family therapist to be able to read their clients well and encourage them to be more vulnerable.
During sessions, family members are encouraged to actively listen to each other and demonstrate their understanding of the situation by repeating back what they have heard. This helps reduce misunderstandings and creates an atmosphere of empathy, which is essential for any healthy family environment. The therapist will also support the family in creating a set of goals for themselves that they can work on for the duration of the sessions.
At the termination of family therapy, the therapist will review the goals that have been achieved, and ensure the family understands the importance of continuing to implement these new behaviours. This is a crucial part of family therapy, as it can be very easy to slip back into old patterns of dysfunction that necessitated the need for treatment. Sometimes booster sessions are recommended to reinforce these changes. These sessions will usually take place after a couple of months, and will help to evaluate how successful the new patterns are. This will allow the therapist to negotiate further changes with the family. If you are looking for a counsellor that offers family therapy, please see our directory for a list of professionals in your area. Alternatively, if you are interested in individual counselling, we would be happy to refer you to someone that is a good fit.