The author Trenton Lee Stewart once wrote, “You must remember, family is often born of blood, but it doesn’t depend on blood. Nor is it exclusive of friendship. Family members can be your best friends, you know. And best friends, whether or not they are related to you, can be your family.” People have the freedom to define their own loving families. And they have the freedom to enhance their bonds when they’re struggling to connect. For many families, this process takes place successfully in family therapy.
Marriage and family therapy sessions at Thriveworks in Hoffman Estates, IL provide a safe environment where family members can explore what’s working well and what could use improvement in their family dynamics. Family therapy is a way to solve problems, improve communication, develop coping skills, and reinforce existing strengths. The Thriveworks mental health professionals who have training in family therapy will develop treatment plans based on extensive feedback from family members themselves. Skilled family therapists are able to zoom out and look at the big picture as well as zoom in to everyone’s individual needs and perspective. These group therapy sessions are an exceptional way to reconnect with the people you love.
What Are the Indications for Family Therapy?
There are no specific “symptoms” or indications that a family could benefit from the work of marriage and family therapists. These kinds of interventions aren’t just called for in crises. The family therapy providers at Thriveworks in Hoffman Estates, IL see all kinds of families, for every kind of concern. But it’s often the case that an acute issue within the household like the following first brings a family to therapy:
- Mood disorders like major depressive disorder (MDD), bipolar disorder (manic depression), and postpartum depression
- Anxiety
- Grief
- Financial stress
- Marital or parenting conflicts
- Social work
- Eating disorders like bulimia or anorexia
- Behavioral problems
- Neurodiverse children issues
- Infidelity or remarriage
- Substance abuse or addiction
- Juvenile delinquency or crime
- Estrangements
- Bullying
- Emotional or verbal abuse
- Chronic illness
- Caregiver burnout
- Codependency
- Distrust
- Perfectionism
- Blended family issues
- Unhealthy parenting styles
- Attachment issues
How Does Family Counseling Work?
Family counseling works by finding solutions to specific issues within families, usually in the short-term, within 12 sessions or fewer. Family therapists and social workers often focus on problem-solving based around their clients’ unique goals. For example, providers at Thriveworks in Hoffman Estates, IL may help clients achieve any of the following objectives:
- Healing or reconciling after conflict or estrangement
- Improving overall rapport
- Reducing tension in the household
- Forgiving, or asking someone for forgiveness
- Establishing healthy boundaries
- Getting through a life transition
- Process a death or illness
- Talking through one family member’s eating disorder or mental health condition
- Managing anger
- Learning coping skills
- Build mutual trust
- Explore misunderstandings in a safe, supportive zone
- Learn how to prevent future conflict
How do therapists help their clients accomplish these goals? They might use a variety of clinical approaches like family systems, attachment and commitment therapy (ACT), and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). These methods are a lens through which family members can examine meaningful elements that contribute to family dynamics, things like:
- Everyone’s role within the family
- The family’s implicit strengths and weaknesses
- Unspoken rules and codes of behavior
- Patterns of communication
- Individual points of view
- Emotional triggers
- Historical context
What makes CBT such a popular approach amongst therapists?
Cognitive behavioral therapy is a popular approach amongst therapists because it’s proven to be highly effective, accessible, and versatile, helping diverse populations with diverse problems. At Thriveworks in Hoffman Estates, IL, therapists may use CBT and dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) to tackle distorted or maladaptive thoughts that can lead to negative affective states, unhealthy behaviors, and unnecessary distress. Family relationships can benefit from CBT because a family is made up of individuals, who each have their own beliefs about the world. Correcting the distorted cognitions of individuals can lead to improved functioning and better relationships overall.
Reconnect with Your Family with Thriveworks in Hoffman Estates, IL
Thriveworks family therapists can meet with new clients quickly and easily. You just need to call the office in Hoffman Estates, IL or book an appointment online. You can potentially be in session with an exceptional family therapist within 24-48 hours. Thriveworks providers accept most major forms of health insurance coverage. They also offer transparent, competitive session rates for people paying out-of-pocket. Thriveworks clients also benefit from being able to access their provider by phone or email between sessions.
Thriveworks family therapists can meet with clients in-person at the modern office in Hoffman Estates, IL, or virtually via online counseling session. Sometimes it’s easier to get everyone into a video conference at the same time than into the same room at the same time. Therapists want whatever is most comfortable and convenient for their clients.
Call today to meet the family therapist who will get everyone talking. We look forward to helping you and your family members.
