Sean and his sister Lucy hadn’t spoken in years. The silence between them began after a big argument that started over a reason neither of them could remember. What they did remember is that they both said some pretty hurtful things to each other — things that they’d been holding back for most of their lives.
While there was still tension years later, neither of them felt as angry as they did at the start. More than anything, they weren’t talking because they didn’t know how to bridge the gap they’d created. Their parents suggested meeting as a family to talk, but both Sean and Lucy were afraid of repeating the past and taking another step backward.
Knowing that something needed to change, their mom decided to suggest family therapy. Though it was hard at first, Lucy and Sean were able to talk through their years of friction and long-held animosity with the help of a licensed mental health professional. Now, the family feels like they have the resolution they needed to move forward together.
Struggles with your family can feel impossible to work through on your own. If you’re looking to reconnect or repair your family relationships, the family therapists and counselors at Thriveworks Counseling can help. Schedule an appointment today through our online portal or by calling our office in Medford, OR.
Why Pursue Family Counseling?
Your family relationships are some of the longest-held and closest relationships you may experience in your lifetime. This history and familiarity can cause emotions to run high when things aren’t going well and make compromise and conflict resolution difficult.
A family therapist or counselor can help you work through specific issues, while also improving your communication and overall relationships with each other. It doesn’t matter if your family is big or small, or if the issue you’re facing is recent or longstanding — family therapy and counseling can help.
Common reasons families seek family counseling include the following:
- Difficulties communicating
- Trouble resolving conflict and finding closure
- Resentment and strained relationships
- Blending families
- Parenting differences
- Mental or physical health problems
- Substance abuse
- Grief and loss
- Difficulty setting boundaries
- Divorce or separation
- Behavioral problems in children, teens, or adults
Family therapy can provide a safe and open space for your family to speak candidly and intentionally with one another and change the way you approach and overcome conflict. When you’re ready to repair and strengthen the special bonds between you, the mental health professionals at Thriveworks in Medford, OR are here to guide your family through the next steps.
What Happens During Family Therapy Sessions?
When you decide to pursue family counseling or therapy, the first thing your therapist or counselor will do is to take some time to get to know each of you. Having a clear understanding of each family member’s unique perspective allows your provider to address your issues in an objective and comprehensive manner.
Many family therapy sessions involve the participation of your whole family to work on group issues. But not every member of your family will need to attend each and every therapy session. Sometimes, only select family members will need to attend in order to resolve conflict between them or address individual problems.
The structure of your family therapy sessions may vary depending on what forms of therapy your provider recommends. Some of the most popular forms of family therapy include family systems therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and supportive family therapy. Though the specific methodologies for treatment differ, all of these approaches encourage honesty, positive change, and enhanced communication.
While your sessions will be focused on addressing the specific issues you’re facing, they may also help you develop skills such as:
- Anger and stress management
- Trust building
- Clear, reflective communication
- Active listening
- Group problem solving
For families who are not all located in Medford, OR, our online counseling opportunities allow you to overcome geographical barriers and meet with your provider and each other by phone or via video chat. Thriveworks also offers weekend and evening appointments to accommodate your busy schedules.
Schedule an Appointment With a Family Therapist at Thriveworks in Medford, OR
It’s normal for all families to go through both good and bad times together. Sometimes, you may need help getting through the hard times, and that’s okay. The mental health professionals at Thriveworks are here to help you work through your family’s challenges, no matter when or where they occur.
When you join the Thriveworks family, you’ll have access to your provider in between appointments by phone or email. You can even take advantage of features like our 24-hour life coach Q&A, exclusive video content, and the Therapy Buddy mobile app.
Enroll with Thriveworks in Medford, OR today, so you can begin improving your family relationships and focus on cherishing the good times you experience together. The tools you need to build a happy, healthy family are within reach –– let Thriveworks show you how to put them to work.
