Is your family struggling to communicate in a healthy way? Therapy could help.
Have you noticed that your family has issues communicating or interacting with each other in healthy ways? It may be due to members dealing with depression, anxiety, chronic health conditions, or another problem entirely. If this is the case, you may benefit from family systems therapy.
Family systems therapy is essentially a type of structural family therapy. Mental health counselors who do use the family systems therapy model address a family as a whole, instead of trying to figure out each individual member’s problems separately.
If your family has experienced trauma, is dealing with a divorce, or struggling to blend families after one parent remarries, you may benefit from this kind of therapy. Contact Therapy Solutions today to set up an appointment.
What is Family Systems Therapy?
Family systems therapy is a form of psychotherapy that helps individuals resolve their problems in the context of their family units, where many issues are likely to begin. Each family member works together with the others to better understand their group dynamic and how their individual actions affect each other and the family unit as a whole. One of the most important premises of family systems therapy is that what happens to one member of a family happens to everyone in the family.
When Should Family Systems Therapy Be Used?
This treatment approach can benefit families dealing with mental health conditions such as depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, personality disorders, addiction, or food-related disorders. Family systems therapy has also been shown to help individuals and family members gain more control to cope with physical disabilities.
The family systems model can also be used for therapy in situations such as:
- Traumatic events
- Loss of a loved one, learning coping mechanisms
- Behavioral issues in adolescents
- Marital issues (i.e adjusting to separation or divorce)
What to Expect During a Therapy Session
During family systems therapy, the family works individually and together to resolve a problem that directly affects one or more family members. Each family member has the opportunity to express their thoughts and feelings about how they are affected. Together, the family works to help the individual in distress and to help relieve the strain on the family. Family members explore their individual roles within the family, learn how to switch roles, if necessary, and learn ways to support and help each other with the goal of restoring family relationships and rebuilding a healthy family system.
Let Us Help Your Family
Let us help you Take Your Life Back; contact our office today to speak with someone about family counseling services.