Your family might know you better than anyone else in your life. You’ve known each other the longest and seen each other through good times and challenging times alike.
But sometimes, this familiarity is the exact reason family members can butt heads. Disagreements and arguments are a normal part of any family dynamic — all families have their problems. Yet sometimes, it might feel like you and your family have complicated, unresolvable issues, especially if they’ve sat unaddressed for a long time.
Maybe the occasional fight has become a weekly or nightly argument. Perhaps every family vacation becomes a week of tension instead of a week full of relaxation. Maybe the struggles of one family member have started to build stress and resentment in the rest of the family.
We know families can face many different problems as they grow and change over time. That’s why at Thriveworks Counseling in Appleton, WI, we believe you shouldn’t have to face these struggles alone. Consulting with a licensed therapist or counselor can make all the difference in acknowledging and working through the difficulties you’re facing. Consider calling our office today to set up your first appointment.
Would Therapy Be Right for My Family?
Many people, especially if they’ve never been to therapy or counseling before, might assume that their issues are not worth bringing to a professional. The reality is that family counselors and therapists help people manage a wide range of problems and issues. Taking the time to work through your struggles together can show your family that your relationships are important.
Family therapists and counselors frequently help families through all sorts of problems and situations, such as:
- Conflicts between family members
- Financial strain
- Divorce or separation
- Mental illness or substance abuse
- Behavioral problems in children
- Major life changes
- Moving to a new city or state
- Breakdowns in communication
- Coping with grief or loss of a loved one
Working with a family therapist or counselor can help you manage your family’s specific issues with individualized care and attention. One of our licensed mental health professionals at Thriveworks in Appleton, WI, can provide support and answer any questions or concerns you have along the way.
How Therapy Can Help Family Relationships
Meeting with a mental health provider involves bringing issues out into the open and having an honest conversation about your feelings. While this may seem intimidating, your counselor or therapist will act as a mediator to ensure that your issues are discussed in a respectful and fair manner.
For instance, if one of your family members is dealing with a substance abuse issue and acting recklessly, you and your family might be hesitant to express concern out of a fear that you’ll drive that family member away. Attending family therapy can help you process those emotions and devise a strategy to speak with the family member in a respectful, productive way.
It’s important to note that these kinds of conversations can be difficult. However, your therapist or counselor can help your family accept this possibility and work through difficult conversations in the most productive way possible.
Therapists can also help you develop skills that you can take with you beyond your sessions and the specific issue you may be facing. You’ll be able to practice skills such as:
- Anger and stress management
- Active listening
- Conflict resolution
- Respect
- Asking helpful questions
- Trust building
Family therapy or counseling is often a short-term process, with many families attending around 12 sessions. However, it can also be a long-term process when needed.
Family therapy or counseling is designed to teach you long-term skills to manage and cope with your family’s problems in the way that best works toward reaching a beneficial solution. Our licensed counselors and therapists in Appleton, WI, are experts at teaching productive problem-solving strategies that can help build connections between family members.
Meet With a Thriveworks Counselor in Appleton, WI
Family conflicts are a natural part of life as a family grows and changes. Taking the time to address these issues can show everyone in the family how much they mean to each other. If you want to start family therapy or counseling today, call our office at Thriveworks Counseling in Appleton, WI.
Many families have busy schedules and struggle to find the time for sessions. That’s why we offer evening and weekend options, convenient online appointments, and a flexible cancellation policy. We also accept many major healthcare plans, so working with a mental health provider might be more affordable than you think.
Working with a family therapist or counselor can help bring your family closer together. Call us today at Thriveworks Counseling in Appleton, WI, to set up your first appointment. We look forward to hearing from you.
