We spend a lot of time with our families, and arguments can develop. Siblings can bicker over almost anything — what to watch on TV, who’s playing their music too loud, who didn’t do enough chores this week, and so on. Parents might argue about something as simple as what to do for dinner to something as serious as finances.
For a group of people who know each other very well and spend a lot of time together, disagreements aren’t surprising. Arguments and differences are entirely expected as a family grows and changes together. You live through it all with your family — life’s highs and lows.
But 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.
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
Family therapy tends to be short-term, lasting around 12 sessions or so. However, sessions can be delivered on a long-term basis as needed if that would be best for your family. Our therapists and counselors in Iowa City, IA, are experts in family relationships and can provide you treatment at a pace that best suits your family’s needs.
Taking the first step and scheduling an appointment might feel intimidating. Our mental health professionals can create a comfortable, safe space for your family to discuss their issues and move forward. Call our office today or use our online scheduling tool to schedule your first appointment.
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.
Often, family members don’t realize how their conflicts have affected their thoughts, behaviors, and emotions. That’s why having a therapist or counselor who can help bring out these realities in an emotionally supportive environment can be so beneficial.
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
Our team of mental health professionals from Thriveworks Counseling in Iowa City, IA, can help your family get through difficult times together. Consider calling our office today to set up your first appointment.
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.
