There’s nothing more satisfying than when a family works well together as a loving, supportive unit. However, most families don’t function expertly all the time. A family therapy program can help family members improve their communication and create an environment in which each member can thrive.
If you’d like to learn more about family counseling, call Foothills at Red Oak Recovery today at 866.300.5275.
What Is Family Counseling?
Family counseling is a type of therapy that is designed to assist all the members of a family unit at once. Some therapists may specialize in marriage counseling, families with children, or family therapy for teens who are struggling with substance abuse disorders.
The goal of family therapy is to help members understand one another better and practice skills that can be used to maintain healthy relationships outside of the therapist’s office.
Reasons people seek family counseling include:
- A breakdown in communication
- One or more family members are withdrawing from family life
- There is violence or the threat of violence within the family
- One or more family members have a mental health disorder
- Changes at home, such as divorce or the death of a parent, are affecting a child’s behavior
- The family has undergone a traumatic experience together
It is not unusual for a family to begin counseling because one member is experiencing poor mental health. For example, parents might agree to teen family therapy because their child is abusing marijuana or has been diagnosed with depression.
Though family counseling often starts as a way to support one member, the process of counseling often reveals other ways in which the family is not functioning as smoothly as it could.
What Are the Benefits of Family Therapy for Teens?
It is natural for families to want to resolve challenges on their own. Unfortunately, difficult discussions often lead to blame, anger, and misunderstanding when individuals don’t have the communication skills they need.
Family therapy is a safe format where each family member can speak their truth with the security of a trained facilitator to guide the conversation.
Families can benefit from family counseling when they:
- Learn how to set and respect one another’s healthy boundaries
- Resolve old disagreements and move forward together
- Develop anger management skills and reduce conflict
- Improve support for individual members who are struggling
- Engage with personal growth strategies
- Increase trust and understanding among family members
Family therapy doesn’t only help the family function better. The skills learned through therapy can benefit every member in all aspects of their life, including school and work relationships.
What Happens During Family Counseling?
The first session of therapy is a time for the therapist and their clients to get to know one another. The therapist may ask questions to better understand the family’s needs and how they can help. Clients are also encouraged to ask questions so they can understand the counseling process and what will be expected of them.
During teen family therapy, families learn more about the obstacles their teen is facing. Each member may be given personalized “homework” assignments to help them practice helpful skills. It’s important for everyone to remember that the therapist is not on any individual’s side. They want to see the family thrive as a unit.
Find Effective Family Therapy for Teens at Foothills at Red Oak Recovery
When one member of a family develops a substance use disorder, it affects the family as a whole. At Foothills at Red Oak Recovery, we specialize in helping teen boys and their family members learn how to cope with negative emotions in a positive, productive way.
If your family wants to learn better ways to support a struggling teen, contact Foothills at Red Oak Recovery at 866.300.5275 for more information about our family counseling programs.
