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.
We’ve all seen the holiday comedy movie trope: two massive families fight, bicker, prank, and harass one another until finally coming together to reconcile their differences. It’s probably such a popular genre because we can all see a kernel of truth inside the plot. So let’s face it; family life can be messy. It doesn’t mean that you don’t love each other, but these close relationships can cause a lot of harm when their dynamics begin to sour. For many, it’s also hard to know when seeking therapy from a licensed professional is necessary. It might even seem emblematic of defeat.
However, we don’t think that’s the case. When your family finds itself in a repeated pattern of turmoil and emotional distress, seeking professional help could save the connections holding you all together. Here are some of the common challenges that family members experience:
- Ongoing frustration or resentment towards each other
- Tense, explosive arguments about finances or future planning
- Child or teen behavioral issues with unknown origins: kids may act out at school or at home to express anger or fear in different ways
- Tension during extended periods of time spent together such as holidays or vacations
- Differing viewpoints or unreconciled events
If any of these challenges sound familiar, family therapy might provide relief. If you and your loved ones are interested in connecting with a licensed family therapist at Thriveworks in Waukesha, WI, you’ll take a step towards reconciliation. Our mental health professionals help families just like yours to gain the insight and experience necessary to help relatives navigate tense situations.
Discover Family Therapy with Thriveworks
Just because seeking family therapy could be beneficial doesn’t mean it’s easy. There’s also the potential for resentment or resistance if family members disagree about attending a counseling session. Still, deciding to move forward to get professional assistance is a great start to healing your relationships. At Thriveworks in Waukesha, WI, you’ll be greeted by our scheduling specialists when you call in. They’ll help you find the right therapist, figure out a schedule, and even lend a hand with setting up your insurance.
With our online scheduling option, you can attend your sessions virtually, allowing relatives to connect with each other and your therapist from different locations. By using online therapy, your family can make time to close the distance between all of you, and prioritize healing and newfound respect. Our counselors are well-experienced with multiple different therapeutic approaches. Some of the issues they commonly deal with are:
- Communication skills that aren’t fully developed, resulting in constant arguments and bickering
- Addiction to drugs or alcohol in response to stress
- Untreated or potentially undiagnosed mental illness or disorders that family members are suffering from, like ADHD or depression
- Stress from caring for a disabled or elderly member
- Deaths within the family that have occurred without time to process the event
- One or more family members struggling with PTSD
- Undiagnosed behavioral issues
- Residual anger or resentment between relatives over perceived wrongs or shortcomings
Sometimes, families feel like discussing private matters involving their home life is a sign of giving up. While these family matters certainly are private, our licensed therapists are bound by the strictest APA and HIPAA guidelines to protect your information during your therapy sessions.
At Thriveworks, we don’t view family therapy as defeat; we actually believe the opposite holds true. Family counseling is a proactive step—and it’s representative of a deeper desire for progress. The best part is that family counseling isn’t something that any of you need to do by yourself. When you and your loved ones form a working relationship with one of our mental health professionals, you may find new ways to communicate and foster empathy for each other.
Schedule a Session For Your Family in Waukesha, WI
Any family will have to cope with difficult situations, and it’s common for connections to become degraded or neglected when lines of respect are crossed. Still, at Thriveworks in Waukesha, WI, we don’t expect you or your family members to be perfect. Our mental health professionals aren’t licensed to judge you; they’re licensed to hunt with you for solutions. We have mental health professionals standing by. Choosing to connect with a therapist is a great way to find new insight and guidance during difficult times.
Our scheduling specialists can assist you 7 days a week, and provide you with convenient scheduling options that include some weekend and evening availability. Rest assured knowing that most clients are able to meet with their provider within 24-48 hrs of making their first call. So if healing the divide that’s running through your household sounds appealing, come together and choose family counseling with Thriveworks.
