Family has never referred to only biological parents and their children. The people you call family can be friends from college, someone who helped you through a difficult time, your next-door neighbor, or members of your cultural communities. Your found family may be as important to your growth and happiness as the one that raised you.
There are plenty of examples of unique family systems on film and TV. In the Full House series, the children are cared for by their father and sweet but sometimes bumbling uncles. A woman raised by a single mother eventually forms a happy family in Mamma Mia! with the three men who might be her biological father. And Wes Anderson’s The Royal Tenenbaums follows a family of former child prodigies as they reconnect and repair old wounds.
What’s true of all these families, however big or small, is that they experience periods of disagreement or hardship. So if you’re concerned about your family, there’s no need to rely on instinct or random internet tips to guide you through your difficulties.
A trained therapist or counselor at Thriveworks Counseling can help your family work through a wide variety of distressing situations. Call or contact us online to set up an appointment with a licensed mental health professional in San Jose, CA.
Why Do Families Consider Attending Therapy?
Family is there for you through the highs and lows of life. Whether you spend most of your time with them or visit yearly for the holidays, they can provide support and guidance. But sometimes, the issues in your life can come from tense family interactions and unresolved fights.
If that’s the case, you may benefit from connecting with a trained mental health professional on a short or long-term basis. Families attend therapy or counseling for reasons such as:
- Poor communication
- Sibling rivalry
- Behavioral problems
- Differing parenting styles
- Major transitions
- Trouble establishing boundaries
- Financial strain
- Coping with shared loss
- Mental health concerns
- Substance abuse
- Divorce or separation
- Struggling to blend families
Your family’s concerns may not fit snugly into these categories, and that’s okay. No two families operate the same way or experience identical setbacks. Therapists are well-equipped to assist their patients as they tackle specific issues.
How Can Counseling Benefit My Family?
Enduring tough times as a family is not a sign of failure, and there’s no reason to be ashamed of needing support. Fortunately, family therapy or counseling can give you a reason to hope for brighter days and more meaningful time spent with your loved ones.
Although family therapy or counseling sessions are different for every family, there are some common traits and takeaways. A provider typically uses joint sessions to observe family relationships, listen to every person’s needs and goals, and suggest helpful strategies for future issues.
Therapy or counseling sessions may involve:
- Transgenerational therapy: If you live with your grandparents or are close to your extended family, you may occasionally disagree on who gets to shower first in the morning or which family values to pass down to your children. Transgenerational therapy aims to address the dynamics between family members of different ages and guide healthy conversations about shared culture and traditions.
- Structural therapy: This method prioritizes interactions between family members. Structural therapy can help a family unlearn negative communication habits and lead to a more cohesive family unit.
- Milan Therapy: In this form of therapy, a counselor will act as a neutral third party, making space for family members to share their perspectives and reflect on past issues in a judgment-free zone.
- Psychoeducation: Psychoeducation focuses on helping a family best support its members who live with mental illness. It focuses on breaking the stigma surrounding mental health issues and allowing families to better handle daily concerns with their loved ones.
Once a therapist or counselor gets to know your family’s concerns and hopes, they can craft a multifaceted approach to improving your relationships. For example, even if a family member is reluctant to attend sessions, a skilled therapist or counselor can help you unpack your experiences with that person.
If you’re considering therapy, reach out to Thriveworks in San Jose, CA today using your cell or our online booking tool.
Schedule Family Therapy Appointments in San Jose, CA
We understand that families come in all shapes and sizes and confront new challenges each day. Thriveworks Counseling offers appointments with mental health professionals that fit your family’s busy schedules, including daytime, evening, and weekend sessions.
Our virtual therapy options (by phone and video chat), alongside the ability to reschedule sessions as needed, make getting help more accessible. We also accept many different forms of health insurance.
The benefits don’t end there. Thriveworks Counseling clients:
- May contact providers in between appointments (using text or email)
- View exclusive video content
- Have access to 24-hour Q+A with a life coach
When you’re ready to get started, consider reaching out to Thriveworks Counseling in San Jose, CA. Contact us using your phone or through our online booking tool to get started.
