Cost of family therapy by state

What is family therapy and what are its goals and benefits?

Family therapy is psychological counseling that includes various members of a family unit. The goal of family therapy is to help families improve communication and resolve conflicts. Family therapy is provided by a licensed therapist, clinical social worker, or psychologist. The therapist will have special training to provide family therapy.

What is the major goal of family therapy?

The major goal of family therapy is to strengthen the family unit to create a home environment where everyone thrives and functions well together. Additional goals of family therapy include:

• Improved communication
• Improving family dynamics and interactions
• Building on the family’s strengths and resources
• Repair dysfunctional family interactions
• Strengthen family problem-solving

What are the stages of family therapy?

There are four major stages of family therapy. These include:

• Preparation: defining the problem and making goals. 
• Transition: the beginning of the work stage, acceptance of issues, and formulating solutions.
• Consolidation: working through the issues. 
• Terminal: wrapping up the work and resolving problems.

What theory is family therapy based on?

Family therapy is based on Murray Bowen’s family systems theory. Dr. Bowen’s work supports that individuals are significantly influenced by their family of origin. Family relationships are responsible for influencing individual personalities.

Who can benefit from family therapy?

Family therapy can be beneficial for many situations. Some reasons to seek family therapy include:

• Marriage problems
• Conflict between a parent and child
• Problems between siblings
• Families affected by illness
• Families with adjustment problems
• Problems with parenting skills
• Difficulty expressing emotions
• Family members with mental health diagnosis
• Addiction or substance abuse

Can family therapy make things worse?

In most cases, family therapy is helpful. However, therapy can bring volatile issues to the surface. Sometimes people are unwilling to admit to or address issues. In these cases, relationships are unable to heal.