The term family therapy has been commonly used and is a widely employed strategy by professionals. But why is its popularity persistently soaring, and for what purposes is it embraced? This article answers everything you need to know about family psychotherapy in detail.
What is family counseling?
When it comes to family counseling, is a modality to fix existing conflicts among family members with the intent of developing and overseeing healthy and functional family relationships. The ultimate objective of this therapy is to figure out problems and then address them effectively. It is important to mention here that these issues could be emotional, psychological, or behavioral.
How do family therapy and family counseling differ?
You might have seen both of these terms being used, making you believe that they are completely different approaches. However, the reality is that the terms “family therapy” and “family counseling” are often interchangeable. Both are designed to talk to individuals and families to work through conflicts, barriers, or mental health issues.
But at the same time, it is imperative to highlight here that a therapist may have different credentials than a counselor. So what does that indicate? Well, it essentially means that a counselor usually requires only a bachelor’s degree and may furnish general support to a client. On the other hand, a therapist must possess a master’s degree and a license to practice.
The best way to confirm the services a family health professional provides is by asking them during the meeting. You may ask about their qualifications and the psychological approach they follow.
Different types of family counseling
You are empowered to reap the many perks offered by these sessions from the comfort of your home. All thanks to home visits or online sessions given by many family counselors.
You can also visit their office or clinic to reap the many benefits of family therapy. It is completely a personal choice which method of the two you prefer. Some prefer online sessions from the convenience of their homes; others may go with counseling outside of the home environment.
In continuation, there are several kinds of family counseling, including:
- Functional family therapy
This type of therapy fundamentally zeroes in on a family with a child or an adolescent with convoluted emotional or behavioral problems. The sessions will help families learn strategies that will empower them to cope with the child’s behavior and enhance family functioning.
- Multisystemic therapy
Multisystemic therapy aims to address the behavioral and emotional problems of children and adolescents. Additionally, it also focuses on fixing complicated issues with the child’s behavior.
- Transgenerational therapy
As the name indicates, this kind of therapy is employed when issues and behavioral patterns continue across generations. What’s more, it may also aid in forecasting how problems might pop up in the future, as it is said that past behavior is a good predictor of future behavior.
How can family counseling help?
Family counseling is hailed as being beneficial in a plethora of ways. That’s why you will often see professionals singing its praises.
- Helps to develop healthy boundaries
Family counseling is known to provide a safe and supportive environment for family members to address and resolve conflicts and enhance communication. The primary objective is to strengthen relationships that have been torn apart for various reasons. Family counseling can aid in developing healthy boundaries by spurring understanding and respect, paving the way for enhanced overall well-being.
- Improves communication
Persistent family disputes can have a drastic impact on communication among family members. In adverse situations, they may completely ditch talking amongst themselves.
This is when the role of family counseling comes into play, which focuses on improving communication. It helps family members improve their ability to express themselves openly and honestly, while also enhancing their listening skills. By sealing the deal on better communication, family members get the chance to strengthen their bonds in the same way they used to before conflicts. And once a healthier and more harmonious atmosphere is achieved, the goal is to maintain it for the future too.
- The importance of defining individual responsibilities and contributions
Family counseling is lauded for its potential to assist individuals in a wide range of ways. For instance, it aids family members to comprehend their contributions and responsibilities. All thanks to the open discussions and collaborative decision-making that take place in family counseling, which help to establish and define the clear roles of individuals within the family.
- Enhancing the family’s problem-solving abilities
One of the valuable outcomes of family counseling is indeed an improvement in the family’s problem-solving abilities. The entire therapy aims at equipping family members with powerful and effective techniques to figure out existing problems and then find their solutions altogether. By encouraging open communication, family counseling helps families overcome existing challenges and build resilience. This approach enhances their problem-solving abilities to a great extent, which ultimately helps to achieve healthier family dynamics.
Is family therapy effective?
The crisp answer to this is yes. It is effective in a variety of situations, such as behavioral conditions, conflict issues among family members, recovery from child abuse and neglect, disordered eating, and others.
How to find a therapist
When searching for a therapist, the intent should always be to seek the services of a professional with years of experience in the field. To make an informed decision, you can ask friends or extended family for a referral. You can also talk to your family doctor for recommendations. Checking the experience and qualifications of a therapist is also a pivotal step in connecting you with the right aficionado.
Some therapists are also available for induction sessions over the phone. Through this communication, you can determine whether the professional is right for you or not.
To make your search easy, you can connect with the professionals at the RCA. Whether you wish to take advantage of family psychotherapy or individual psychotherapy, their team of experts is available around the corner to assist.