Family therapy is a therapy that helps with issues that specifically affect families’ mental health. The idea of family therapy is to aid in developing better communication, stronger relationships and managing conflicts within a family. At Seek a Therapy, we want to help answer your questions and concerns surrounding the practice in order to help you select the right therapist best suited for your needs. On this page, we have included some of the most common questions a person may have before attending a family therapy session.
What is Family Therapy?
A Family and Systemic Psychotherapist could help you take on a different position, either by working with individuals or the whole family. They can look at how different factors affect people within the system. They will help emphasise the strengths, resilience and resources available and how everyone helps contribute to the functioning of the system.
Association For Family Therapy
Family therapy can also be good for couples, groups and carers. The issues family therapy can address can include sleeping, feeding, attachment issues, child abuse, eating disorders, school-related difficulties, relationship distress and alcohol/drug misuse and more.
The aim is to help everyone in the family or group to understand each other better. To form better relationships and develop new ways to talk to one another. This can help create a more positive environment in which everyone supports each other promoting health and wellbeing.
What to Expect From Family Therapy?
When you attend family therapy the therapist will help identify the strengths of the individuals, couples and/or family. They won’t take sides or point blame or even give simple one fits all answers. They look at your situation and engage you in shared views and understandings to explore ways that can help you move forward.
A session with a family therapist can last from anywhere for 50 to 90 minutes depending on your needs. The therapist will always try to make you feel welcome and give everyone the chance to have their say and contribute to the discussion. Likewise, there is no need to share if you or any member of the group/family are feeling uncomfortable at any point in the session.
The therapist should adapt their working style depending upon the people within the family or group. Session involving children for instance may involve drawing or pay. Some therapists will talk to each of you individually, others will speak in a group. It will depend upon your needs but the therapist will identify this.
Some therapists may work with other therapists. There can be the use of one-way mirrors to screen what is said between the therapist and the family members. Sometimes there may be a colleague in the room with the therapist as you have your therapy.
Towards the end of the session, your therapist may share their thoughts and reflections with you. Many families report the team approach to complex difficulties can be very helpful.
To learn more about Family Therapy you can visit the following link.
An example of a family therapy session in progress – roleplay
How Much Does A Typical Family Therapy Session Cost?
Costs vary depending upon treatments undertaken, location and the practitioner’s experience. Usually, costs will vary between $75 and $150 per session. It is best to clarify this with your therapist before undertaking any therapy.
How Do I Know Which Family Therapist To Choose?
This therapy is not available on the NHS and will be a private treatment but like any therapy, one of the most important elements in your through any challenge is the relationship between yourself and the therapist in order to be able to trust and open up about all your thoughts and feelings in order to be able to create a correct diagnosis and develop a bespoke treatment for your needs.
When you find the right practitioner that offers you good communication, a partnership, trust, goals and a feeling of genuine understanding then together, over time, you will be able to challenge your thoughts, beliefs and perceptions.
How Long Does It Take To Show Improvement?
It will depend on the issues and the people involved and some therapists say it can take 6 to 9 months before you see a great improvement. Saying this., each family is different and so you may see results sooner, it takes the dedication of both the family and practitioner to work together to make the necessary improvements.
What If It Doesn’t Work For Me?
First of all, don’t worry!
If you think family therapy is the right therapy but you have the wrong therapist then you have every right to seek a second opinion. You will not offend your therapist, they just want you to heal from your difficulty as best you can and you deserve to feel better. If, on the other hand, you don’t feel the therapy is working at all then do not be disheartened, there are many, many different types of therapy that can assist you. This is only one. Use our therapy directory to find a different therapy, you may find counselling works better or possibly some holistic treatment. The key is not to think this is your only option if at first it doesn’t succeed.
Family Therapy Therapy Near To Me
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Please note: This information should not replace professional medical advice, it is purely for informational purposes. At all times when you are in crisis please first seek help from your GP or another medical professional. Thank you