Family Counseling

Family counseling brings parents, siblings and extended family members such as aunts, uncles and grandparents into the treatment process. The family system has its own structure and patterns of communication, which may be defined by parenting style, personalities and other influences. Family counseling is often short term. It may include all family members or just those able or willing to participate. Family counseling sessions can teach you skills to deepen family connections and get through stressful times, even after you're done going to therapy sessions.

Benefits

Family therapy is often used in concert with other types of mental health treatment, particularly if one or more family members would benefit from specialized treatment for addictions, eating disorders or other illnesses. Some mental health programs offer a family therapy component while a loved one is in treatment and also encourage each family member to pursue individual therapy.

  • Understand how their family functions
  • Identify strengths and weaknesses within the family system
  • Set goals and develop strategies to resolve challenges
  • Improve communication skills
  • Make the entire family stronger

Conditions To Treat

Anyone seeking healthier, closer family relationships can benefit from family therapy. Family therapy is used to treat a wide range of conditions, including:

  • Marital problems
  • Parent-child conflict
  • Problems between siblings
  • The effects of illness on the family

Studies show that family therapy is particularly important for adults and adolescents struggling with substance abuse, eating disorders, and other emotional and behavioral issues. When the whole family grows, each individual member is better off.
"Everyone needs a house to live in,
but a supportive family is what builds a home."

-Anthony Liccione

Helpful Resources For Family Counseling

The American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy is the professional association for the field of marriage and family therapy.
AFTA offers a unique Annual Conference that addresses personal and professional growth through peer discussion and current research.
The Family Dynamics Institute started in 1994 and helps couples grow happier and ensure their children remain happy and stay productive in their development.