Jason Drake, LCSW-S, BCN
What is Family Therapy, What Can I Expect, & What are the Benefits of Family Therapy?
In today’s world, families face different challenges that can lead to emotional, social, and psychological problems within the family. From communication issues to behavioral problems, these conflicts can become unbearable and require intervention.
Family therapy, also referred to as family counseling, is a type of therapy that helps families to resolve conflicts and improve communication.
In this blog post, we will explore what to expect in family therapy for families who have never participated in family therapy and the benefits of family therapy for families in Sugar Land, TX.
So, what is family therapy, what can you expect, and what are the benefits of participating in family therapy? Below we will answer those questions.
What to expect in family therapy
Family therapy is a type of therapy that helps families to understand and improve communication patterns, resolve conflicts, and build stronger relationships. It is an inclusive therapy that involves all members of the family, including parents, children or teenagers, grandparents, and any other family member living together or apart.
Initial consultation
Before starting family therapy, the family therapist will schedule an initial consultation with the family. This consultation provides an opportunity for the therapist to learn about family history, understand the challenges, and know the family's dynamics.
Additionally, it gives the family an opportunity to get an idea of the therapist's approach to therapy and ask any questions or voice any concerns.
Setting goals
During the initial consultation or first few sessions, the family counselor will help the family identify the primary concerns of the family and discuss goals for therapy. It is essential to come to an agreement on the main concern to address in family counseling.
Setting goals helps the family and the family counselor focus the conversation and efforts on the most pressing issues.
Participation
One of the key features of family therapy is the participation of all members involved in the family. This means that each family member is encouraged to attend and participate in family therapy.
By involving all members, the family therapist can help build rapport and address conflicts that are present in the family.
Regular attendance
Family counseling requires regular attendance. This means that all family members need to commit to attending therapy sessions and actively participating in the therapy process. It is essential to show up for every session, even if some family members might not feel like attending at times.
Confidentiality
Family therapy is confidential. The family therapist will not share any information discussed in the sessions with anyone outside the family therapy unless there is a danger to self or others.
Confidentiality helps to create a safe space where individuals can share their thoughts and feelings without fear of judgement or consequences.
Benefits of family counseling
We have provided a general outline of what family members can expect in family counseling sessions. But what can the benefits be of participating in family therapy?
Improves communication
One of the significant benefits of family therapy is improved communication. The family therapist can work with the family to identify communication patterns and areas of weakness, such as misunderstandings, poor listening skills, and disrespect. The goal is to help the family build stronger bonds and improve their communication skills.
Resolves conflicts
Another benefit of family counseling is the resolution of conflicts. When family members have conflicts, it can make everyone in the family feel tense and uneasy.
Family counseling gives individuals an opportunity to express their perspective on the situation, and the family counselor can help the family members work together to reach an amicable resolution.
Builds stronger relationships
As families work together to overcome conflicts and improve communication, the family therapy process can help build stronger relationships. Family therapy helps family members understand and appreciate each other's views and experiences.
Promotes emotional wellness
Family counseling promotes emotional wellness. It offers family members a chance to express emotions and feelings openly and honestly, learn coping skills and gain a better understanding of their personal contributions to family dynamics.
Wrapping it Up
Family therapy empowers each member of the family to understand themselves and their relationships better. It helps to promote emotional wellness, build stronger relationships, and resolve conflicts in a safe space.
As families continue to navigate their lives and overcome the challenges they face, family therapy remains a resource that offers valuable help and support.
Families in Sugar Land, TX, may consider family therapy as an effective method for improving communication, solving conflicts, and building a healthy, strong, and happy family.
Sugar Land Teen & Family Counseling: Specializing in Family Counseling in Sugar Land, TX & Houston
There may be times where the conflict, anger, and/or behavior in the home is impacting everyone in the home in negative ways. As parents, we do what we can to help change the family dynamics and sometimes a therapist who specializes in family therapy can help.
Sugar Land Teen & Family Counseling, located in Sugar Land, TX, our therapists have helped families overcome the challenges that they were experiencing. We are conveniently located off of US 90 and Dairy Ashford Road.
We also have our Katy, TX location, Katy Teen & Family Counseling, which is located right off of I-10 and Grand Parkway/Hwy 99 in Katy, TX.
If you are ready to meet with one of our teen therapists or young adult therapists, all you need to do is follow these three simple steps:
Contact Sugar Land Teen & Family Counseling
Talk with one of our caring therapists
Begin the healing process today!
Other Therapy and Counseling Services Offered at Sugar Land Teen & Family Counseling
At Sugar Land Teen & Family Counseling, we provide a variety of therapy approaches that are supported by research and shown to be effective. Some of the teen therapy and young adult counseling we offer are:
Board Certified Neurofeedback Therapy
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR Therapy)
Group Therapy for Teens
Teen Depression
Teen Anxiety
Teen Social Anxiety
Teen Panic Attacks
Body Image
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Couples Therapy & Marriage Counseling
Couples Therapy and Marriage Counseling can be very effective. The secret ingredient to success is each person willing to look at themselves and work to do things differently, together. When a marriage counselor or couples therapist has this to work with, the success rate can be very high.
Sometimes life will throw challenges at us that create situations that put strain on our marriage or relationship. It may be due to:
Choices and actions that have been made by one partner.
Financial downturn in the economy creating financial strain.
Feeling like you're growing apart.
Feeling like you don't have as much in common as you used to.
Whatever the reason may be, marriage counseling and couples therapy can help. Couples therapy and marriage counseling has also been found to work in less time than individual therapy.
If you've worked hard for this relationship and find that there are now barriers in the way of maintaining a healthy relationship, contact us at Sugar Land Teen & Family Counseling.