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686,000 people sought help with Thriveworks 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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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 Washington, D.C. 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 Washington, D.C. 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 Washington, DC—Family Therapists and Counselors

If you’re in a tough spot with your parents, your siblings, your children, or other family members, but you want to improve those relationships, consider going to family therapy. Family therapists can help you work through the challenges that are keeping you and your family apart. Doing so without a guide can be difficult, as each individual has their own thoughts, feelings, and opinions that must be considered. A family therapist can serve as a guide, mediator, and source of support.

Thriveworks Washington, DC family therapists know just how important our relationships with our loved ones are. If you need help mending your relationships with family members or working through a challenge, consider exploring family therapy. Thriveworks Washington, DC family therapists have the skills and the tools to help. Not to mention, they are dedicated to helping families mend their broken ties and find success in family therapist. Call us today at (202) 221-8410 to schedule your appointment.

What Is Family Therapy? How Can It Help Us?

Family therapy is a type of therapy that helps families work through challenges and improve relationships. This is often short-term, and led by a professional psychologist, licensed therapist, social worker, or another mental health professional.

Family therapy can assist you and your family members with making important changes in your relationships, be it with your parents, your siblings, your kids, your partner, or another family member. Often, it will involve having important conversations centered around identified issues. Common familial issues include:

  • Marital problems
  • Financial stress
  • Disagreements in parenting
  • Losing a loved one
  • Addiction
  • Mental illness, like depression

Any familial challenge or conflict can be better worked through in family therapy. Family therapy can help you all address the source of stress and conflict, work through painful emotions, and ultimately improve your relationships. So, if you and your family aren’t on great terms, and you think that you could benefit from family therapy, reach out to Thriveworks Washington, DC. We have family therapists who can help.

How Does Family Therapy Work? What’s It Like?

In many cases, multiple family members will go to their family sessions together. In other cases, though, one individual might work with the family therapist alone. In any instance, sessions usually last around an hour, and there are typically 12 or so sessions. That being said, your family might require more or less sessions. Your Thriveworks Washington, DC family therapist will determine the length and duration of treatment based on your family’s unique needs.

The course of treatment can vary from family to family; however, you can expect to discuss the following with your family therapist:

  1. Current problems
  2. Your family’s ability to work through their problems
  3. Thought and feelings of each individual
  4. Any problematic or concerning behaviors
  5. Familial roles/dynamics
  6. Strengths and weaknesses in your family

Work with a Family Therapist at Thriveworks Washington, DC

Has your family hit a rough patch? Are you longing for better relationships with your parents, siblings, or children? Do you think that your family could benefit from a professional’s help? Consider working with a family therapist at Thriveworks Washington, DC. These mental health professionals can assist, guide, and support you, with the end goal of helping you to work through difficult challenges and improve your relationships with your loved ones.

To schedule an appointment, all you have to do is call (202) 221-8410. We’ll be here to answer your call and get you all set up. You can look forward to many benefits including same-week appointments, evening and weekend sessions, and most major insurances accepted.

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 Washington therapists and counselors accept 26 insurance plans

  • Aetna

  • Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Colorado | GHI BMP

  • Blue Cross Blue Shield of Wyoming | Medicare Advantage

  • Blue Cross Blue Shield | Anthem (Blue Card)

  • CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield DC | BCBS HMO

  • CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield DC | BCBS PPO

  • Carelon

  • Cigna | Evernorth

  • Cigna | Evernorth EAP

  • Cigna | Evernorth Medicare Advantage

  • Compsych

  • First Health Network

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Self-pay costs at Washington
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 Washington reviews are collected through Thriveworks.com.
★★★★★
I’ve really been helped by Thriveworks. I have a wonderful counselor who has been able to arm me with resources and knowledge surrounding my mental illness so I can be more prepared against my own future thoughts or environments. I’ve been able to request a different psychiatrist when one was not entirely a correct match for me, and I always get great positive feedback and respect from my mental health care professionals. It seems like they actually want you to have a good match with someone and will help you along the way.
Read more I’ve really been helped by Thriveworks. I have a wonderful counselor who has been able to arm me with resources and knowledge surrounding my mental illness so I can be more prepared against my own future thoughts or environments. I’ve been able to request a different psychiatrist when one was not entirely a correct match for me, and I always get great positive feedback and respect from my mental health care professionals. It seems like they actually want you to have a good match with someone and will help you along the way.
DC Dec 2021
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
As an educator of students with a variety of special needs, I can attest to Sam's pedigree as a counselor. He is a skillful communicator, a staunch advocate for his clients, and he demonstrates an uncanny ability to remain calm and knowledgeable despite every and any difficult situation. Sam has been an invaluable resource to me in understanding the underlying conditions and trauma that provoke certain behaviors in children. In short, he has made me a better teacher!
Read more As an educator of students with a variety of special needs, I can attest to Sam's pedigree as a counselor. He is a skillful communicator, a staunch advocate for his clients, and he demonstrates an uncanny ability to remain calm and knowledgeable despite every and any difficult situation. Sam has been an invaluable resource to me in understanding the underlying conditions and trauma that provoke certain behaviors in children. In short, he has made me a better teacher!
Washington, D.C. Jun 2020
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
As the mother of a son with behavioral challenges finding an advocate to join your team is essential. Sam, my son’s therapist, came into our lives and changed our lives. We is extremely competent, caring, committed, tenacious and firm, unrelenting as an advocate and therapist for my son. He has also encouraged me and assured me of my successes. Everyone NEEDS a Sam...he’s available!
Read more As the mother of a son with behavioral challenges finding an advocate to join your team is essential. Sam, my son’s therapist, came into our lives and changed our lives. We is extremely competent, caring, committed, tenacious and firm, unrelenting as an advocate and therapist for my son. He has also encouraged me and assured me of my successes. Everyone NEEDS a Sam...he’s available!
Washington, D.C. Jun 2020
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
I've known Sam for many years and I can honestly say he truly cares. If you have Sam on your side, he'll give you the shirt off his back if you need it. He is hardworking, ethical and completely committed to his clients and their wellbeing.
Read more I've known Sam for many years and I can honestly say he truly cares. If you have Sam on your side, he'll give you the shirt off his back if you need it. He is hardworking, ethical and completely committed to his clients and their wellbeing.
Washington, D.C. Jun 2020
Review left on Thriveworks.com

Where to find us

Getting here

Thriveworks Counseling & Psychiatry Washington DC is located on Wisconsin Ave near the waterfront. We currently share a building with Core Architecture and Design, Quarterlife Center, and Window Wears.

Phone number

(202) 932-7587

Languages spoken by D.C. providers

  • English
  • Creole
  • French
Thursday 8:00am - 9:00pm
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

Shown in ET

Thursday 7:00am - 9:30pm
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

Shown in ET

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