What is family therapy?
Family therapy helps families resolve conflicts and strengthen their relationships. It is led by qualified mental health professionals like psychologists, licensed professional counselors (LPCs), and licensed clinical social workers (LCSWs) who have extensive training in family dynamics and group communication.
How does family therapy work?
Thriveworks family therapists in Charlotte, NC usually begin by asking what everyone’s goals are for family counseling. Family members may need help with very specific issues or with general relationship functioning. But there are three main purposes in family counseling: to educate, to counsel, and to strengthen. Thriveworks also offers online family therapy and in-person services, so you may all meet in an office together or join a video call from your home depending on everyone’s location and availability.
What is the most effective family therapy?
The most effective form of Family therapy will often depend on the family itself, as there are many types of family therapy for therapists to use as they see fit in order to best meet the needs of their clients. However, one of the most commonly used types of family therapy is structural family therapy (SFT). SFT focuses specifically on family dynamics and interactions, looking at how they shape the relationships and structure present in the family. It can be effectively used to treat a variety of concerns.
How do I know if my family needs therapy?
This answer often looks different to each family that starts family therapy. However, some signs that your family might need to consider family counseling include frequent fights or misunderstandings, constant tension, experiencing loss, behavioral issues, marital issues, divorce, and blended family issues, among others.
What is included in family therapy?
In family therapy, therapists will often start by asking questions and assessing individual and family dynamics. From there, they may employ therapeutic techniques such as structured family therapy, CBT, strategic family therapy, and more depending on the present concerns and conflicts. From there, a therapist will work to open lines of communication between family members and facilitate emotional healing and growth.
What is the success rate of family therapy?
Family therapy can be incredibly successful, with some studies reporting a success rate of almost 90% for improving participants’ emotional and mental health, and around 66% for improving their physical health.
Is family therapy conducted in person or online?
Thriveworks therapists in Charlotte, NC offer both online family therapy and in-person family therapy. We encourage you to choose the option that works best for you.
How long does family therapy last?
Family therapy is usually short term and solution-focused, with most families accomplishing their goals in 12 sessions or fewer. However, it can also last for longer if the probles at hand are more complex — and that’s okay, too.
Need more help deciding?
Even the best intentioned of families can experience turmoil in their lives. Harmony in the home is a lovely concept though it’s not always achievable for all kinds of reasons. Parents can have issues with kids and kids can run into conflicts with their parents. There are times when third party intervention is the only way to resolve such issues. Family counseling and family therapy often proves to be the best way forward.
There’s absolutely nothing wrong with reaching out and seeking third party assistance if things get out of control. Sometimes a fresh face and a sympathetic ear is all that’s required to reset family life.
Twenty-first Century Challenges
A lot of issues families run into today are not dissimilar to those of previous generations. There are also new pressures, though, brought on by twenty-first century living and lifestyles. High tech kids and low-tech parents can trigger all kinds of emotional upsets for one. The obesity epidemic has also brought with it many new health issues and upsets.
Family and systemic psychotherapy professionals can help resolve all kinds of issues, including:
- Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
- Anxiety (this includes children too)
- Families and couples going through relationship problems
- Alcoholism and drug addictions
- Mental illness
- Physical illness
- Cultural adjustments
- Trauma
The above are just a few of the many issues families face these days. Usually, though not always, families will only seek outside help as a last resort, when things reach breaking point, which is a shame.
How Family Therapy Works
Family therapy is nothing new. Qualified therapists in Charlotte have been helping to resolve issues in the home for generations now. Here are some of the key areas:
- Form close partnerships with family members to instill trust
- Bring folks together in a safe, supportive atmosphere
- Help to improve communication and understanding
- Offer sensitivity to complex relationships, beliefs and cultures
Do I Need Family Counseling
Only those concerned can know if they need family counseling. If problems are ongoing and show no signs of improving, then it’s certainly an option worth exploring. Feel free to reach out and talk with our family therapists. We’re here to help if you need us and we’re just a phone call away.
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