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One go-to approach that is often used in family therapy is structural family therapy. Structural family therapy helps members within a family learn about the structure and inner workings of the family itself, as a whole made up of interworking parts. From this perspective, families are made up of individuals who have their own roles within the system, and their own connections to each of the other individuals. This approach can be particularly useful for families dealing with transitional periods where roles and responsibilities may be changing, such as a new child entering the family, or a teenager becoming an adult and trying to launch/become independent.
An important part of getting started in structural family therapy involves looking at a family's history and doing activities such as mapping using a genogram, where the greater family tree/history is visualized through the use of descriptive connections in the relationships between members. Another activity that may often be utilized is enactment, a kind of role-play where the therapist can guide the family through discussions or activities and help the family sculpt healthier interactions and expectations through teaching/practicing different approaches and communication strategies.
Some indications of meaningful progress in family therapy include improved communication/interactions, improved moods among family members, doing more enjoyable things together outside of sessions, and being more self-directed in sessions (needing less guidance/intervening from the therapist).
In family therapy, a therapist may often assign session homework, so earnestly working on session homework and practicing things from sessions outside of sessions are two very important parts of working towards progress. Another thing that can be useful in between sessions is to journal about specific family interactions that come up and reflect on them after the fact, describing/analyzing them by utilizing concepts learned in sessions.
To prepare for family therapy, it can be helpful to write out your concerns, your observations of dynamics/patterns/etc., questions you have about therapy/the therapist, and what you want to achieve by doing family therapy.
Family therapy helps families resolve conflicts and strengthen their relationships. It is led by qualified mental health professionals like psychologists, licensed professional counselors (LPCs), and licensed clinical social workers (LCSWs) who have extensive training in family dynamics and group communication.
Thriveworks family therapists in Henrico, VA usually begin by asking what everyone’s goals are for family counseling. Family members may need help with very specific issues or with general relationship functioning. But there are three main purposes in family counseling: to educate, to counsel, and to strengthen. Thriveworks also offers online family therapy and in-person services, so you may all meet in an office together or join a video call from your home depending on everyone’s location and availability.
The most effective form of Family therapy will often depend on the family itself, as there are many types of family therapy for therapists to use as they see fit in order to best meet the needs of their clients. However, one of the most commonly used types of family therapy is structural family therapy (SFT). SFT focuses specifically on family dynamics and interactions, looking at how they shape the relationships and structure present in the family. It can be effectively used to treat a variety of concerns.
This answer often looks different to each family that starts family therapy. However, some signs that your family might need to consider family counseling include frequent fights or misunderstandings, constant tension, experiencing loss, behavioral issues, marital issues, divorce, and blended family issues, among others.
In family therapy, therapists will often start by asking questions and assessing individual and family dynamics. From there, they may employ therapeutic techniques such as structured family therapy, CBT, strategic family therapy, and more depending on the present concerns and conflicts. From there, a therapist will work to open lines of communication between family members and facilitate emotional healing and growth.
Family therapy can be incredibly successful, with some studies reporting a success rate of almost 90% for improving participants’ emotional and mental health, and around 66% for improving their physical health.
Thriveworks therapists in Henrico, VA offer both online family therapy and in-person family therapy. We encourage you to choose the option that works best for you.
Family therapy is usually short term and solution-focused, with most families accomplishing their goals in 12 sessions or fewer. However, it can also last for longer if the probles at hand are more complex — and that’s okay, too.
Includes individual, couples, child/ teen, & family therapy
Includes reducing symptoms with medication & management
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Saturday | 8:00am - 9:00pm | |
Sunday | 8:00am - 9:00pm | |
Monday | 8:00am - 9:00pm | |
Tuesday | 8:00am - 9:00pm | |
Wednesday | 8:00am - 9:00pm | |
Thursday | 8:00am - 9:00pm |
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Friday | 8:00am - 9:30pm | |
Saturday | 8:00am - 6:00pm | |
Sunday | 8:00am - 6:00pm | |
Monday | 8:00am - 9:30pm | |
Tuesday | 8:00am - 9:30pm | |
Wednesday | 8:00am - 9:30pm | |
Thursday | 8:00am - 9:30pm |
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