Family counseling is a type of therapy that is able to address inter-family relationships. It works to promote a healthier family unit grounded in understanding each family member’s strengths and weaknesses. Issues that this type of therapy works on range from emotional to psychological to behavioral. Many family counseling practitioners are influenced and guided by family systems theory. This approach views the family as an interconnected network of people rather than as individuals. If your family could benefit from counseling, Georgia Addiction Treatment Center’s family therapy program can help. Reach out to us online or call [Direct] today.
Benefits of Family Counseling
Every family can benefit from family counseling in different ways. A few of the top benefits that family therapy programs offer participants appear below.
Alleviates Communication Issues
A major cause of family dysfunction is poor or nonexistent communication. Family counseling works to improve lines of communication. It can get everyone in the family talking openly and honestly about what is on their minds.
Restores Healthy Boundaries
Another aspect of family life that this therapy can address is healthy boundaries. The family structure can become imbalanced if one person tries to control everyone else or if certain family members feel as if they are not being valued and respected. Establishing healthy boundaries for each family member sets a more positive foundation for everything a family does together and as individuals.
Resolves Negative Interactions
The way family members treat each other is paramount to the overall functioning of the family unit. Dealing with patterns of negative interactions between certain family members is core to family counseling’s purpose.
Addresses Conduct Disorder
Family counseling can positively impact mental health and substance abuse disorders for any participating family members. In addition, family counseling can effectively address conduct disorders in children. Conduct disorders are mental health disorders whereby children display negative behavior patterns. The most common manifestations of conduct disorder are aggression and antisocial behavior.
Even more specifically, the type of family support offered by therapy is also found to improve the following:
- Conflict between siblings
- Parental inconsistency with expectations and consequences
- Marital problems
- Dealing with death or illness
- Adapting to major change, such as moving or divorce
This treatment can begin to heal the damage that addiction has caused in the family.
What Does Family Therapy Program Involve?
Family therapy programs generally fall into one of four categories: Bowenian, structural, systemic, and strategic. Each type of treatment is helpful in different scenarios which will help your see benefits of family counseling.
Bowenian therapy is best for when not all family members want to be involved in therapy in the first place. The core of Bowenian treatment relies on talk therapy and coaching family members to be less emotionally reactive. Structural therapy focuses on improving boundaries between different family members. It aims to instill a healthy structure such that parents exercise the right amount of control and children feel valued.
Systemic therapy relies on the therapist playing a more reserved role. The spotlight is on family members. This treatment encourages the family to air grievances and openly discuss issues and problems in a setting that encourages vulnerability and problem-solving. Lastly, strategic therapy is when therapists assess a family’s problems. They then give homework assignments that can alter the interactions and communications between family members to create a healthier unit.
Therapists engage in a common set of actions when delivering family support. They include:
- Observing family interactions
- Evaluating and dealing with relational issues
- Diagnosing and treating mental health or substance abuse disorders within a family
- Spotlighting problematic behavior and presenting healthier alternatives
To determine what treatment modality would work best for your needs, please reach out to our team today.
Seek The Benefits of Family Counseling at Georgia Addiction Treatment Center
Admitting that you need family support is nothing to be ashamed of. Georgia Addiction Treatment Center’s highly skilled practitioners are ready to work with you and your family to improve the way your family operates. Reach out online or over the phone by calling [Direct].
