Family members know each other in a way no one else quite does. They can be the people you share DNA with, or they can be the people that chose each other, through adoption or circumstance.
No matter its makeup, your family has probably had its fair share of highs and lows. Of course, disagreements, bickering, and tension are natural for any group of people. But sometimes, the hard times can persist and start to put a strain on your family. You may notice that disagreements end with a sense of resentment or that tension remains long after the conflicts have settled.
If your family is facing a hard time, know that there is hope for resolution. The licensed professionals at Thriveworks in Bellingham, WA understand the complications and struggles of family relationships, and they’re prepared to help you with them today.
What Problems Can Family Counseling Help Solve?
Family therapy is designed to improve communication, resolve conflicts, and help families work through difficult times. You may feel like your problem is too complicated or confusing for a therapist to fix. Or maybe you feel embarrassed because your issue feels too small to be worthy of a family therapist’s time.
Either way, you can rest assured that our professionals have helped countless families deal with issues ranging from mild to severe, short-term to chronic.
Some common issues that bring families to therapy include:
- Breakdowns in communication and respect
- Prolonged conflict
- Big changes or life transitions
- Divorce or separation
- Lack of boundaries
- Dealing with financial strain
- Loss or grief
- Substance abuse
- Mental illness
- Parenting disagreements
- Behavioral problems
- Acclimating to a step-family dynamic
While family therapy is, by nature, therapy for multiple family members, it is not essential that every member of your family attend. If you’re concerned about who should or shouldn’t attend, you can always start with a one-on-one session to explain your situation and identify a course of action that makes sense for your family.
If you’re concerned with the logistics of bringing everyone together in one place, our counselors and therapists at Thriveworks in Bellingham, WA provide online options for sessions, either by phone or video chat.
The Types and Benefits of Family Therapy
The type of therapy you receive will likely depend on your family’s specific issues and goals in undergoing treatment together. Though family therapy tends to be short-term in nature, it is designed to give you the tools for long-term solutions.
Some of the most common types of therapy used during family therapy appointments include:
- Family systems therapy: This form of therapy treats the family as a unit in which each member’s actions and behaviors impact the rest of the unit. As such, family interactions are addressed by looking at communication patterns and conflicts within the unit and finding ways to work through these conflicts as a group.
- Supportive family therapy: This approach creates an open and supportive environment for family members to discuss their problems and how those issues make them feel. The goal is typically to build trust, understanding, and empathy. This approach tends to work best when an issue impacts the entire family.
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): Also commonly used for individual psychotherapy, CBT focuses on changing unhealthy thought patterns that may be negatively impacting moods, behaviors, or family relationships.
- Psychodynamic therapy: While psychodynamic therapy is often used during individual therapy, it is sometimes used for family counseling as well. The methodology of this approach is to reduce conflict by uncovering the underlying problems that plague a family. Once these underlying issues are brought to the surface, families are better able to work through their difficulties more openly.
Though the details of these approaches differ, all are designed to foster and rekindle closeness and understanding in a family unit. Over time, clients learn how to practice empathy, communicate effectively, and work through their issues in a collaborative way. While this can be difficult to do on your own, our licensed mental health professionals at Thriveworks in Bellingham, WA are standing by to provide guidance along the way.
Begin Working With a Thriveworks Professional in Bellingham, WA
To start addressing your family’s issues, consider calling us today at Thriveworks in Bellingham, WA. We accept most major forms of insurance and offer self-pay rates for our appointments for those paying out of pocket. We also offer both online and in-person availability with time slots open in the mornings, evenings, and even on the weekends. We also offer a flexible cancellation policy for any last-minute scheduling changes.
If your family members were facing a physical illness, you wouldn’t hesitate to get them the professional care they need. The mental health of your family doesn’t have to be any different. Give us a call today to set up an appointment with one of our counselors or therapists at Thriveworks in Bellingham, WA today.
