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.
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.
For some families, the negativity of life’s lows can start to outweigh the positivity of life’s highs. This might mean shouting matches nearly at the dinner table, ruined family vacations, and overall strain on your family’s relationships. We want you to know that support is available for families who are struggling — working with a family therapist or counselor can help.
Even the closest families go through difficult times. Working with a family therapist or counselor can help you find ways to navigate difficulties and grow closer. You might learn communication strategies and conflict resolution skills that can help your family navigate tricky territory together.
That’s why reaching out to one of our family therapists and counselors in Iowa City, IA, can help you. Our mental health professionals can offer you the expertise and third-party perspective you need to fix the problems your family is facing. Contact us today to get started.
Is Therapy the Right Choice for My Family?
Your family might have been dealing with a problem for years, for so long that you’ve just become used to it. You might be dealing with a recent trauma or situation and need help navigating it. Family therapists and counselors can help families deal with a wide range of problems.
Family therapists and counselors can support families dealing with:
- Divorce or separation
- Behavioral problems in children
- Major life changes
- Sibling rivalry
- Financial stresses
- Communication difficulties
- Breakdown in respect and boundaries
- Difficulty supporting a family member through mental illness or substance abuse
- Infidelity
- Grief following the loss of a loved one
What to Expect From Family Therapy or Counseling
Family systems often involve a complicated web of individual thoughts, emotions, and behaviors that affect each family member. This can make working through conflict difficult, as every family member has their own motivations, needs, and desires that must be considered.
Family therapists and counselors can help solve problems in a way that helps everyone feel heard. To identify the specific issues and problems plaguing your family, your therapist will take the time to talk to each person to get the most holistic understanding of the situation and develop a personalized treatment plan with actionable goals.
Going through this process can help foster a newfound closeness in your family and build long-term skills that you can take far beyond a specific conflict. These skills might include:
- Communication skills
- Active listening
- Empathy
- Problem-solving strategies
- Anger and stress management
Work With a Thriveworks Family Therapist in Iowa City, IA
Consulting a professional from Thriveworks Counseling in Iowa City, IA, can help your family work through issues and grow closer together. Our mental health professionals can provide an experienced and neutral viewpoint to facilitate a calm family discussion without judgment or reprisal.
We accept many different insurance plans and offer affordable self-pay rates for our services. We also understand that coordinating sessions can be difficult for busy families. We offer daytime, evening, and weekend sessions to help you find time for care. You can meet with a provider in person or online, depending on your preferences.
Call our office today at Thriveworks Counseling in Iowa City, IA, or use our convenient online scheduling tool to set up your first appointment. We can’t wait to hear from you soon.
