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.
From the moment you are born, you start to build relationships with your family that can affect you for the rest of your life. You spend years with your family, up close and personal. While some have fond memories of their childhood and growing up, others have a more difficult time. While your best friend’s parents were married, going on family vacations together, and prioritizing family game nights, your family might have been a little rockier. Instead, maybe your parents divorced, your mom struggled financially, and your dad wasn’t absent, but wasn’t in the picture either. Our actions and attitudes can have a negative effect on our families, just as theirs can affect you too. When there are messy and complicated feelings associated with those who are supposed to be closest to us, it can feel impossible to come back from.
The tiny seed knew that in order to grow, it needed to be dropped in dirt, covered in darkness, and struggle to reach the light.” – Unknown
Family therapy can be the best approach to building stronger relationships with your family. Luckily, help is readily available at Thriveworks Counseling in Nottingham. Licensed marriage and family therapists are highly trained in helping with the issues and challenges that come up between family members. If you are starting to feel burnt out because of an issue you are facing with your family, consider reaching out and working with one of our family therapists. You and your loved ones can get to a happier, healthier place together. Just give us a call to get started.
Why Would a Family Need Family Therapy?
Have you ever argued with a sibling to the point where you don’t even want to speak to each other anymore? Do you feel like every time you talk to your parents about something you want to do, they put you down and make you feel stupid? Are you and your spouse going through a divorce that is negatively affecting your kids? Is your aunt struggling with substance abuse and you’ve had to take on a motherly role for your cousins?
There are many reasons why you and your relatives might be struggling to see eye to eye. Maybe you’ve tried everything, but it just seems to get worse. You might be scared for the future. Here is just a short list of some of the reasons why families come to therapy at Thriveworks:
- Poor communication
- Parenting issues
- Sibling rivalry
- Addiction and substance abuse
- Aggression and stress management
- Marital issues
- Mental health concerns
- Troubling adolescents
- Behavioral problems in children
- Major life changes
- Trouble coping with a physical illness
This list could go on. If your specific concern was not listed, don’t worry. Our family therapists in White Marsh have the training and expertise to work with you and your loved ones through a myriad of problems.
How Does Family Therapy Work?
Starting therapy can seem daunting, especially when you’ve never been before. However, it’s much easier and more stress-free than you’d think. Here at Thriveworks Counseling in Nottingham, our therapists dedicate themselves to providing each of their clients with a safe and comfortable environment that promotes healthy communication. Your family therapist will act as a guide through the challenges and communication issues you and your loved ones are having. To do so, they will first assess each individual family member involved. Doing so gives them an inside look into where the weak spots are in your relationships. In turn, your therapist will create a unique treatment plan that is centered around your family’s needs and goals.
Through family therapy, you can expect to:
- Improve communication skills
- Learn effective problem-solving techniques
- Learn how to control anger and stress
- Practice active listening
- Build mutual trust and understanding
- Establish familial roles
- Find peace
Family therapy is often short-term meaning that you could be finished in as little as nine sessions. This doesn’t mean that if you need more than nine sessions something bigger is wrong. However long it takes your family unit to make progress is how long we’ll work with you. In addition, your family therapy sessions can vary depending on who is in attendance and the topics being discussed. A variety of methods and techniques will be utilized to assist you in making meaningful progress.
Ready to Get Started? Give Thriveworks Counseling in Nottingham, MD a Call
Pursuing therapy is not always an easy choice, especially when it involves other people. However, the progress and benefits you’ll gain will be well worth it. If you’re ready to work with a family therapist at our office, simply visit our online booking portal or give us a call. One of our scheduling specialists will work with you to find an appointment time that best fits all of your schedules.
