Family therapy or family counseling is a form of treatment that is designed to address specific issues affecting the health and functioning of a family. It can be used to help a family through a difficult period of time, a major transition, or mental or behavioral health problems in family members.
It should be noted that in family therapy or counseling, the term “family” does not necessarily mean blood relatives. In this context, “family” is anyone who “plays a long-term supportive role in one’s life, which may not mean blood relations or family members in the same household”.
In order to help a family work together towards a healthy family life, family therapists aim to aid family members in improving communication, solving family problems, understanding and handling special family situations, and creating a better functioning home environment
The benefits of family therapy include:
Better understanding of healthy boundaries and family patterns and dynamics
Enhanced communication
Improved problem solving
Deeper empathy
Reduced conflict and better anger management skills
Bringing the family together after a crisis
Creating honesty between family members
Instilling trust in family members
Developing a supportive family environment
Reducing sources of tension and stress within the family
