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9,385 people sought family therapy help in Massachusetts in the last year

Discover how starting therapy with a family can support your own journey toward a happier, more fulfilling life.

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Leonard Schmelkin

Hear from Leonard Schmelkin, Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW)

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What is your go-to approach for family therapy?

My go-to approach for helping people in family therapy is to help families organize a vision and preferred direction in life. Family therapy focuses on possibilities of what family life can look like rather than what is wrong. It focuses on pulling everyone in the same direction.

What tools do you teach in family therapy?

I teach families how to organize a shared vision by identifying obstacles, feelings, and support within the family system. It helps family members articulate a shared vision of hope. The plan is to work with family members to overcome obstacles. Problems come into play, and a family therapist neutralizes shame and blame.

How do you know when a client is making meaningful progress in family therapy?

The art of making the family members comfortable by creating a therapeutic relationship with each person is the hallmark of family therapy. The goal is to help each family see themselves in the best possible way and give the benefit of the doubt to their own family.

What can clients do in their personal time to supplement family therapy?

The family members can work to communicate their needs, find shared interests to have fun and play together, and develop their individual interests and share them with other family members

What should someone do to prepare for starting family therapy?

To prepare for a first family session, an individual can think about what they appreciate about their own family. They should be prepared to share something about themselves which is not the reason for starting therapy. Then, they should decide on goals and what they want to accomplish.

Starting Family therapy

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 Lexington, MA 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 Lexington, MA 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?

Family Therapy in Lexington, MA—Family Therapists and Counselors

Thriveworks Counseling in Lexington, MA has family therapists and counselors on staff who can help you today. They offer assistance and support as you work through your difficult feelings, resolve arguments, and reconnect with your family members.

Call (781) 386-0443 to schedule.

Family Therapy Benefits: How Does Family Therapy Work?

Family therapy, also known as family counseling, helps people work through issues harming their relationships with their family members. These issues include major problems involving the whole family as well as individual-specific issues that affect the group as a whole.

A family can find value in meeting with a family counselor or psychologist if they’re experiencing significant stress or encountering problems harming their relationships. Common stressors and problems that might lead a family to seek family counseling include:

  • Mental illness, such as depression or anxiety
  • Substance abuse problems or addiction
  • Communication issues
  • Behavioral problems in children
  • Divorce or separation
  • Financial strain or disagreements

If your relationships are being harmed by these issues or another problem, consider working with a family therapist at Thriveworks. Our team can help you work through tough times and come out stronger.

Can a Family Therapist or Psychologist Help? Are They Qualified?

Family counseling at Thriveworks in Lexington is led by licensed marriage and family therapists (LMFT). These individuals are qualified to help your family, as they have skills and experience specific to familial issues. Additionally, social workers and psychologists sometimes step in to help their clients using techniques from family therapy.

Family counseling is often a short-term treatment. Most families complete their time in therapy after about 9 sessions (with each session averaging 60-90 minutes). However, some families may require more or fewer sessions depending on their specific needs and goals. Your Thriveworks family therapist will get to know your family and design a personalized treatment plan just for you.

Schedule Family Therapy at Thriveworks in Lexington, MA

If you believe your family could benefit from family therapy, reach out to Thriveworks in Lexington, MA. To schedule your first family therapy appointment, call us at (781) 386-0443.

Pricing & insurance

Our therapists accept most major insurances. We accept 585+ insurance plans, and offer self-pay options, too.
Learn more about pricing for therapy and counseling services at Thriveworks.

Our Lexington therapists and counselors accept 29 insurance plans

  • Aetna

  • Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts | BCBS Medicare Advantage (HMO | PPO)

  • Blue Cross Blue Shield | Anthem (Blue Card)

  • Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Massachusetts | BCBS

  • Carelon

  • Cigna | Evernorth

  • Cigna | Evernorth EAP

  • Cigna | Evernorth Medicare Advantage

  • Compsych

  • Fallon Health

  • First Health Network

  • Harvard Pilgrim

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Self-pay costs at Lexington
Talk therapy

Talk therapy

Includes individual, couples, child/ teen, & family therapy

First session

$1

Ongoing sessions

$1

Talk therapy

Psychiatry

Includes reducing symptoms with medication & management

First session

$1

Ongoing sessions

$1

Hear from our clients

5.0 Thriveworks Lexington reviews are collected through Thriveworks.com.
★★★★★
Sara is a dedicated, compassionate, organized, and kinds therapist. She will work with your schedule and your specific needs as to why you are in therapy. I have had the chance to work with her and love her dedication to this field.
Read more Sara is a dedicated, compassionate, organized, and kinds therapist. She will work with your schedule and your specific needs as to why you are in therapy. I have had the chance to work with her and love her dedication to this field.
Lexington Sep 2021
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
Genevieve is a caring and nurturing therapist. She goes out of her way to make sure that she finds the resources her clients need.
Read more Genevieve is a caring and nurturing therapist. She goes out of her way to make sure that she finds the resources her clients need.
Lexington Jul 2020
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
Genevieve is an outstanding counselor that always shows her clients compassion and empathy. She's well informed about area resources and has a lot of experience. She is committed to confidentiality and always follows through. With a good heart and the best intentions she provides amazing support to the families and clients she works with. I would highly recommend her!
Read more Genevieve is an outstanding counselor that always shows her clients compassion and empathy. She's well informed about area resources and has a lot of experience. She is committed to confidentiality and always follows through. With a good heart and the best intentions she provides amazing support to the families and clients she works with. I would highly recommend her!
Lexington Jul 2020
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
I've met with Francesca at her previous practice, and she is far and above the absolute best. From a personal one on one basics she helped me immensely. I recommend her to anyone.
Read more I've met with Francesca at her previous practice, and she is far and above the absolute best. From a personal one on one basics she helped me immensely. I recommend her to anyone.
Lexington Nov 2019
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
Sumio Shinohara has provided me with outstanding counseling, life coaching and consulting services. His information, desire to be of utmost help and advocacy have been extremely valuable.
Read more Sumio Shinohara has provided me with outstanding counseling, life coaching and consulting services. His information, desire to be of utmost help and advocacy have been extremely valuable.
Lexington Jan 2019
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
I had a lovely experience meeting with Emily, I’m looking forward to attending another session soon!
Read more I had a lovely experience meeting with Emily, I’m looking forward to attending another session soon!
Lexington Apr 2018
Review left on Thriveworks.com

Where to find us

Getting here

Thriveworks Counseling & Psychiatry Lexington is located off of Massachusetts Ave. We share a building with other businesses, including Clay Oven and Limited to Endodontics. Our office is on the second floor. Across the street is a post office.

Phone number

(781) 386-0443

Languages spoken by MA providers

  • English
  • Spanish
  • Mandarin
  • Farsi
Friday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Saturday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Sunday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Monday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Tuesday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Wednesday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Thursday 8:00am - 9:00pm

Shown in ET

Friday 7:00am - 9:30pm
Saturday 7:00am - 6:00pm
Sunday 8:00am - 5:00pm
Monday 7:00am - 9:30pm
Tuesday 7:00am - 9:30pm
Wednesday 7:00am - 9:30pm
Thursday 7:00am - 9:30pm

Shown in ET

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