What is family therapy?
The objective of family therapy is to modify and improve relational dynamics within the family and support family members’ wellbeing. During therapy, a psychotherapist does not investigate the causes of current issues. Instead, they focus on proposing different strategies and behaviours that family members can implement to modify and resolve them.
When is family therapy used?
Family therapy is beneficial when relationships and core dynamics cause discomfort or distress to one or more family members. Sometimes, family members fail to make changes on their own due to high emotional involvement. This high level of emotion, however, can be very useful if it’s channelled the right way, and this is what family therapy can assist with.
Family therapy can be beneficial when:
- Parents are having difficulties educating their children.
- There are communication difficulties, especially during adolescence.
- There are parents’ relationship issues (in this case, couples therapy may be more appropriate).
- A family member has difficulty living alone, such as after retirement.
- A traumatic event such as death, accident, abuse or divorce has occurred.
- A family member has issues related to bullying, eating disorders, teenage depression, drugs or internet addiction.
What does family therapy involve?
Family therapy aims to adjust emotional relationships and all factors that prevent the family from functioning well. By doing so, the family will be able to overcome difficulties and stressful or emotional confrontations between family members, with the help of a therapist, can be resolved. Communication and participation from each family member are fundamental in ensuring the best possible outcome.