What is it?
Family therapy is a form of talk therapy.
Focuses on the improvement of relationships among family members.
Can also help treat specific mental health issues.
Here's more detail
Description
Family therapy is a form of group psychotherapy (talk therapy) that focuses improving relationships within a family.
Family therapy involves talking through problems with a therapist, who helps everyone understand each other’s perspectives and work towards solutions. It’s not just about focusing on one person’s issues but looking at how the family as a whole can improve their ways of interacting and supporting each other. Sessions might include activities and discussions that help family members express their feelings and build stronger relationships. This type of therapy is particularly effective for helping with issues like communication problems, conflicts, and supporting a family member with mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression, or eating disorders
What is the theory behind family therapy?
What is the theory behind family therapy?
Family therapy operates on the principle that individuals are best understood within their family context, as issues in one part of the family can affect the entire system. The core idea is that by addressing dysfunctional patterns and improving communication among family members, overall family dynamics can improve. There are a number of approaches which underpin family therapy. These include:
- Systems Theory, which views the family as an interconnected system
- Structural Family Therapy, which focuses on reorganising family hierarchies and relationships.
- Strategic Family Therapy which targets specific behaviors and interactions
- Narrative Therapy works on altering personal and family narratives to foster positive change.
- Bowenian Family Therapy emphasises understanding and modifying intergenerational patterns
- Emotionally Focused Therapy centers on strengthening emotional bonds based on attachment theory.
Depending on which therapist you see, they might draw on one or more of these approaches and use different methods to support your family.
What to expect from family therapy?
- Assessment
An assessment for family therapy will begin with a meeting to understand the difficulties your family is facing. You may meet with one therapist or a team of therapists working together.
You will discuss your concerns and the therapist(s) questions to understand your thoughts and feelings. You might talk about important family beliefs and identify others involved with the family. Everyone in the family’s perspective is heard.
Your therapist(s) should explain how family therapy works and collaborate with your family to create a plan for future therapy sessions.
- What might a family therapy session look like?
Family therapy sessions usually involve seeing the whole family, including children, together in one room. Depending on the issue, your therapist might also work with individuals, couples, or different combinations of family members.
Together, you will consider how various factors impact families, such as power dynamics, financial hardship, race, religion, culture, and politics. Family therapists are typically more active in asking questions than some other types of therapists.
When therapists work in a team, they might discuss the problem and emerging ideas in front of the family, allowing everyone to listen in. The goal of family therapy is to help family members find ways to support each other, whether the problem is seen as a personal issue or a family-wide concern.
- Length of treatment
Family therapy can be short term or long term and your length of treatment will depend on who you see and what difficulties you and your family are currently facing.
Stat
gap
What issues can family therapy help with?
Research shows that family therapy is proven to be effective for children and young people affected by:
- problems in infancy (sleep, feeding and attachment)
- child abuse and neglect
- child and adolescent conduct problems such as attention and over activity, and behavioural difficulties
- emotional problems including anxiety, depression, grief, bipolar disorder and suicidality
- body related problems including enuresis, encopresis, recurrent abdominal pain and poorly controlled asthma and diabetes
- drug abuse
- eating disorders including anorexia, bulimia and obesity
Research shows that family therapy is proven to be effective for adults and families affected by:
- relationship difficulties
- psychosexual problems
- domestic violence
- mood disorders such as anxiety and depression
- alcohol and drug abuse
- schizophrenia
- adjustment to chronic physical illness
Pros and cons of family therapy
Family therapy offers several benefits but it is not for everyone. It is important to talk with a mental health professional to determine if it’s the right fit for you and your loved ones.
- Pros
Improves Communication: Family therapy often focuses on improving how family members communicate with each other, which can lead to better understanding and reduced conflicts.
Strengthens Relationships: By addressing issues together, families can develop stronger, more supportive relationships and improve overall family cohesion.
Addresses Multiple Perspectives: It allows each family member to express their feelings and viewpoints, which can lead to a more comprehensive understanding of the issues at hand.
Teaches Conflict Resolution Skills: Families can learn strategies for resolving conflicts in a healthier way, which can be beneficial both during and after therapy.
Supports Change: It can help families develop strategies to manage and adapt to changes, such as a new family member, a move, or major life events.
Provides a Safe Space: Family therapy offers a structured environment where sensitive issues can be discussed openly with the guidance of a professional.
- Cons
Resistance to Participation: Some family members might be unwilling to participate or be resistant to change, which can hinder the effectiveness of the therapy.
Unresolved Issues: If not managed well, therapy can sometimes exacerbate existing conflicts or create new tensions within the family.
Time and Commitment: Successful family therapy often requires a significant time commitment from all members, which can be challenging for busy families.
Potential for Conflict: Bringing all family members together in therapy might initially increase conflicts or discomfort, especially if the issues are deeply rooted. Your therapist will work through these issues with you.
Stigma and Privacy: Some families may feel uncomfortable seeking therapy due to stigma or concerns about privacy and confidentiality.
Therapist Compatibility: Finding a therapist who is a good fit for all family members can be challenging. A mismatch can affect the success of the therapy.
Varied Outcomes: The effectiveness of family therapy can vary based on the issues being addressed and the willingness of family members to engage in the process.
Voice
Relationships are a resource for healing a range of psychological difficulties. This is the fundamental principle of family therapy.
- Mark Rivett and Joanne Buchmüller, family and systemic psychotherapists
How can I access family therapy?
How can I access family therapy?
Accessing family therapy in the UK can be done through several avenues, depending on your needs and circumstances.
1. NHS Services: The most common route is to get a referral from your GP. They can refer you to local NHS mental health services or family therapy specialists. For issues involving children and teenagers, your local Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) may be able to provide family therapy. Your GP can make a referral to CAMHS if necessary.
2. Local Authority Services: If there are concerns about child welfare or family safety, social services may provide or arrange family therapy as part of their support services.
3. Private Therapy: Family therapy requires specific training and specialist skills to deliver it safely and competently. To make sure your therapist is professional accredited, you can look on websites such as:
UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP)
British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP)
4. Charities and Support Organisations that offer family therapy include:
Relate: Offers relationship and family counselling services. They have locations across the UK and provide both face-to-face and online sessions.
Marriage Care: relationship support service including couples counselling, relationship and marriage preparation. No fixed charge, contribution-based
5. Workplace Services: Some employers offer Employee Assistance Programs that include family counseling or therapy services as part of their benefits package.
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