The psychiatrist Karl A. Menninger once stated, “Love cures people – both the ones who give it and the ones who receive it.” Mental health providers—and indeed most medical providers in general—don’t usually speak in terms of “cures.” But love and social support do have outsized positive impacts on emotional well-being and happiness. And, for better or worse, the first place people learn to love and be loved is usually within one’s family.
Family counseling is a safe and effective way to address communication issues, solve problems, and strengthen relationships. The licensed marriage and family therapists (LMFTs) at Thriveworks in Huntington Beach, CA facilitate meaningful conversations that can help family members see problems from each other’s perspectives. This process can deepen bonds, reinforce what’s already working, and identify dynamics that might need further attention.
Family Therapy: Indications
Marriage and family therapy can help all families, not just those with acute problems. It’s similar to individual therapy and couples therapy in that way. Everyone can benefit from the psychological insights, deep listening skills, and expertise of an exceptional mental health provider. That being said, many families come to therapy at Thriveworks in Huntington Beach, CA to address specific issues. These issues might include the following:
- Mood disorders
- Postpartum depression
- Anxiety and anxiety disorders
- Anorexia or bulimia
- Behavioral problems
- Support for neurodiverse children
- Substance abuse or addiction
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
- Trauma
- Grief
- Financial stress
- Marital stress
- Rebellion
- Juvenile delinquency or crime
- Estrangement
- Infidelity
- Blended family issues
- Reproductive issues
- Conflict and tension in family relationships
- Emotional or verbal abuse
- Chronic illness
- Caregiver burnout
- Codependency
- Perfectionism
- Unhealthy parenting styles
- Conflicting parenting styles
The LMFTs at Thriveworks have extensive training in family therapy techniques that can help loved ones heal and reconnect.
What’s Internal Family Systems Therapy?
Internal family systems (IFS) therapy is one of the approaches that a Thriveworks counselor might enlist to treat a family. IFS works by conceptualizing different parts of the psyche as different family members. This modality can help people return to their core self and bring all their “personalities” into harmony.
Mental health professionals might also use the following modalities to address family issues:
- Structural, which assesses the role each member plays in the family
- Systemic, which is rooted in family systems
- Narrative, which focuses on personal stories
- Transgenerational, which looks at conflicts from a generational standpoint
- Milan, which sees the body as a system guided by natural behavior
- Strategic, which attempts to examine and redirect patterns of behavior
But these approaches aren’t mutually exclusive, and many therapists enlist a hybrid approach to treatment.
What Is the Major Goal of Family Therapy?
Each family member might have a different goal for family therapy, which is why treatment plans should be highly individualized, as they are at Thriveworks in Huntington Beach, CA. One of a therapist’s jobs might be to help loved ones identify and synthesize their goals. Common therapy objectives include the following:
- To heal or reconcile
- To improve communication
- To reduce conflict and tension
- To forgive, or ask for forgiveness
- To establish healthy boundaries
- To manage anger, anxiety, depression, and other distressing emotions
- To build mutual trust
- To explore misunderstandings
- To deal with specific external stressors
An LMFT might also recognize when someone in the family could benefit from individual therapy. This family member might be struggling with substance abuse or a mental health condition. The issue affects everyone, so family therapy is still indicated, but it’s also important for the person to receive the individual help they need, separately.
Restore Harmony with Family Therapy at Thriveworks in Huntington Beach, CA
The idea of family therapy might be intimidating at first, but Thriveworks therapists are trained to put everyone at their ease and move at an emotional pace at which everyone can feel comfortable. Therapists can use icebreakers, games, and other exercises to help achieve successful communication within the session.
At Thriveworks in Huntington Beach, CA—and at Thriveworks nationwide—all mental health providers are fully licensed. This means that providers can accept most major forms of health insurance. If a client is paying out of pocket, Thriveworks offers competitive self-pay rates. This all helps keep therapy affordable for more people who need it.
Thriveworks clients can make an appointment today and be seen as early as tomorrow or the next day. Most new clients can see a premium therapist within 24-48 hours of their initial call. In addition, Thriveworks clients can reach out to their provider by phone or email between sessions.
The family therapists and other providers at Thriveworks in Huntington Beach, CA can meet with clients in-person for traditional therapy sessions at the office. They also offer online counseling sessions through secure, HIPAA-compliant telehealth software. Clients can choose whatever type of session best suits their schedules and comfort levels.
Call today to get the support that your family needs. We look forward to helping you!
