Family therapy

Families are dynamic systems, meaning its members depend on and react to each other in ever-changing ways.  Yet sometimes, changes that occur within the family system (or for a particular member of the family) require that the system adapt its patterns — which can be much easier said than done.

There are a number of reasons why a family might seek out family therapy.  Family therapy might make sense if parents have decided to get divorced.  Family therapy might be a good option for members of a family who are having a hard time getting along.  When sibling fighting feels out of control for a sustained period of time, family therapy can often help break the cycle of mistreatment to make way for a more peaceful way of co-existing.  Family therapy can help when someone in the family either left or died unexpectedly.

No matter the reason you come for family therapy, the objective is for the therapy to serve as a safe place where family members can raise concerns, reveal old wounds, or disclose difficult information that might affect the entire system.  Families who come for therapy are often looking to develop strategies to understand and maintain healthy boundaries, or to foster a sense of cohesion and improved communication among family members.  In family therapy, family members can start to see their patterns for what they are and put more functional patterns in place.  They can find ways to have more empathy for each other – both at home and in the outside world.  Almost always, families that come for therapy are looking for less conflict, to make family time something to look forward to.

There are many potential benefits – but family therapy can be difficult.  It requires commitment and some amount of courage from each member, which can be a challenge – at least in the beginning.  But it’s typically an investment that really pays off, with lasting effects.