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Discover how starting family therapy can support your own journey toward a happier, more fulfilling life.
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My go-to approach in family therapy consists of the application of two main historical icons of family therapy. Both Salvador Minuchin's structural/functional model and Murray Bowen's family systems bring rich historical context, focus on family history, and identify patterns of behavior that are contributing to unhealthy family dynamics and communication challenges that cause turmoil.
A lot of the tools and strategies used in family therapy are focused on making small and realistic changes until the family can disrupt unhealthy patterns and find ways to slow down and listen to one another, with the goal of understanding and not just responding. In sessions, we focus on the most serious topics and create a process/system that guides them toward negotiating, expressing feelings (Feelings Wheel) in real time, and learning when to compromise. I utilize both the structural/functional model and family systems, as well as genograms, ecomaps, cultural grams, other psychoeducational material to highlight differences, and historical family systems issues to move towards solution-focused outcomes.
I know clients are making progress when there is a healthy increase in emotional connection in interpersonal relationships and clear boundaries/expectations within a relationship that encourage an interdependent partnership based on shared values.
Clients can supplement their time in family therapy by completing agreed-upon assignments, setting time aside each week to emotionally connect/bond, and developing a safe space to address conflicts and negotiate a shared outcome/resolution.
To prepare for starting family therapy, an individual should look inward and decide what they are willing to do to create an open, honest, engaging dialogue toward a meaningful outcome that will help their family grow.
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 Reston, 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 Reston, 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
Friday | 8:00am - 9:00pm | |
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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