It is normal for small disagreements and disagreements to arise in a home. But sometimes these problems go too far and destroy the happiness and peace of the home. Problems between parents, problems with children, disagreements between siblings... These things can put the entire family under stress. At times like these, it is much better to seek help from an outsider than to deal with these problems alone. That is where Family Therapy comes to our aid.
Simply put, what is Family Therapy?
Family Therapy is a form of psychotherapy that uses talk therapy to improve relationships, behaviors, and communication between family members. When we say "family," it can include not only mom, dad, and children, but also any group close to you, such as grandparents, aunts, uncles, and siblings.
Think about it this way. You've moved into a new home, or a family member has been diagnosed with a serious illness. It can be difficult for the whole family to adjust to such a big change. Also, this therapy can provide great relief to deal with the challenges of aging, the grief of a loved one, and conflicts between parents and children.
Sometimes, family therapy involves the entire family to treat a mental illness (for example, anorexia) in a family member, because family support is very important for such a person.
This treatment is provided by a qualified mental health professional who has received special training in this field. This means someone like a psychologist or counselor. They provide you and your family with the support, education, and guidance you need to help improve your happiness and well-being as a family.
Are there different types of family therapy?
Yes, there are different types of Family Therapy to suit your family's needs and issues. Sometimes the counselor may combine more than one of these methods to provide the most appropriate treatment for you. Let's look at some of the main types.
| Name of the treatment method | What happens with this? |
|---|---|
| Functional Family Therapy (FFT) | This is often used for families with children with behavioral problems. The goal is to understand the family dynamics that are causing the child's misbehavior and to improve family communication and parenting skills. |
| Marriage/Couples Therapy | This is where you and your partner talk about the issues you're having. A trained counselor helps you find solutions to issues like communication, parenting, money issues, and mental health issues. |
| Strategic Family Therapy | This is a short-term treatment method. Here, the focus is on creating positive changes in the family environment. This treatment is based on the premise that the family is the most important factor in the development of children. |
| Structural Family Therapy | This method looks at the relationships, boundaries, and power structures within the family. The goal is to observe how family members interact with each other and help the family change those patterns. |
| Systemic Family Therapy | Here, family issues are looked at within the different contexts in which they live. For example, we consider how a family member behaves as a partner, as a parent, and as a child of their parents. Cultural, religious, political, and economic backgrounds are also important here. |
The most important thing is that if a family member is being treated for a mental illness, the entire family should be given a clear understanding of the condition. This is called psychoeducation . It means that doctors teach the family about the condition, its causes, treatment, and outlook.
What kinds of problems can family therapy help with?
There are many reasons why families turn to this treatment method. Below are a few of them.
Common family problems
- Damaged relationships between family members.
- Frequent stress .
- Uncontrollable anger .
- Communication problems between each other.
- Experiencing physical or mental trauma .
- A family member suffering from a chronic illness such as cancer or stroke.
- The death of a loved one and the associated grief .
- Divorce or marital problems.
- Adjusting to changes such as sudden job loss or moving to another area.
Mental health conditions
Family Therapy is very helpful if a family member has the following mental health conditions:
- Anxiety disorders - e.g. Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
- Eating disorders - e.g. Anorexia
- Mood disorders - e.g. Bipolar Disorder, Depression
- Personality disorders Schizophrenia-emotional `(Schizophrenia)`
- Substance use disorders
- Conditions such as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Autism Spectrum Disorder.
How do you find a good advisor?
This can be a bit of a daunting task, but don't be discouraged. The best thing to do is to ask your family doctor about this and get a referral. Or, you can ask a trusted friend or relative.
Make sure the counselor you choose is a government-approved, qualified mental health counselor . Also, check to see if they have experience treating your issue (e.g., divorce, child behavior problems).
Before meeting with a counselor, it's a good idea to ask yourself some questions like these:
- How long have you been providing this treatment?
- What kind of treatment would you recommend for our family?
- How much time will we need to dedicate to this entire treatment process?
What really happens in a Family Therapy session?
Imagine that you and your family go to a counselor together. It is a safe, non-judgmental environment. You can talk openly about your feelings without fear or hesitation. The counselor is an impartial person who has been specially trained to help you solve your problems.
Under the guidance of the counselor, you work to improve communication and interaction within the family. Strategies are suggested to change problematic behaviors and patterns.
Typically, during a session, the counselor does things like this:
- Everyone in the family is asked about their problems, challenges, and expectations from this treatment.
- Encourages everyone to talk and listen to what others have to say.
- They explain feelings and words so that everyone can understand each other.
- It helps you understand how your words and behaviors affect others.
- It helps us find out how we can work together to create positive change.
Remember, since the main part of this therapy is talking, it is essential that everyone involved actively participates. The trust between you and the counselor is the biggest key to its success.
Take-Home Message
- Family Therapy is a valuable treatment method that can help anyone who is experiencing family problems or weakened relationships.
- This is a safe place where you can talk openly and without fear. No one will judge you.
- The treatment is conducted by a professional who has received special training in this area, so their guidance is very important.
- Asking for help when you have problems is not a sign of weakness, it's a sign of strength. It shows how much you care about your family.
- If you or someone in your family is having suicidal thoughts, please go to the nearest hospital Emergency Department (ETU) immediately or talk to a trusted doctor .
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