Family Therapy Explained: What It Is, How It Works, and When to Seek Help
What is Family Therapy? What happens during Family Therapy? Why and when is it important to seek and engage in Family Therapy?
Every Family Faces Challenges
Every family has struggles. Every family has arguments. Every family has conflicts.
Maybe you argue more than you’d like. Maybe people feel unheard or left out. Or perhaps you're just not as close as you used to be. That’s where family therapy can help.
What is Family Therapy?
Family therapy is a form of group psychotherapy that views the family as a group of closely related people who care about each other, who are there for each other, who are willing to support each other, who are open to work together through all challenges, and who most importantly fulfill and play their own unique, essential, and significant roles in everyone’s life. This family system is a unique and complex social system with intricate and dynamic interconnected relationships.
The above definition might sound daunting and complicated. If it can be simplified, the family system is a source of love, connection, support, and joy as well as a source of complexity, challenges, and frustrations.
Is It Normal to Feel Nervous About Family Therapy?
It’s understandable to feel scared about family therapy. Entering therapy can be intimidating, especially when it involves family dynamics. Multiple concerns arise while considering entering and engaging in family therapy, including opening up and being vulnerable, having difficult conversations, dealing with potentially arising conflict in family sessions and/or before and after sessions, and probably the most essential concern is fear of judgment. Nothing is easy. To accept or make changes is difficult. It is neither easy nor impossible being with people you care the most and exploring challenging emotions and patterns together. This exploration is a part of the family therapy process that can potentially create uncomfortable feelings and sensations and at the same time, it can lead to amazing opportunities to rebuild and heal those complex relational dynamics.
What Happens During Family Therapy?
Family therapy can be, without doubt, an overwhelming and very anxious process. Yet, it is a well-researched and established way to lead the family to create stronger relationships within the family system and personal growth.
The therapist's role is to facilitate that process through creating a safe and supportive environment. The family therapists guide these difficult, uncomfortable, and often very stressful discussions to help the family navigate challenges constructively.
When and Why to Seek Family Therapy?
There are so many questions that have been posed and asked by the families who are exploring and considering family therapy. Let us attempt to clarify some of them:
How would family therapy help all family members feel connected if we cannot even be in the same room too long together?
Therapy space is designed and created as a safe and supported space that opens up possibilities to consider and share the understanding and acceptance of multiple viewpoints, ensuring each family member feels heard and understood. This approach allows and fosters empathy and mutual respect within the family system.
We cannot agree on anything? Our values and beliefs are so different?
Family therapy invites families to explore and to define those differences and to move towards understanding and acceptance of those differences as well as to explore ways to embrace and maybe even empower each other's differences. It does add some complexity in the family dynamics yet makes it agreeably unique and special.
“It is genuinely impossible to be vulnerable with my family…?”
Being a part of family therapy can create and lead to feelings of intimidation, particularly given the intricate and complex dynamics involved. The family therapy process entails openness and vulnerability that can lead to feelings of discomfort, pain, irritation, ease, embarrassment, and other complicated emotions. Without any doubts, there is this fear of judgment, fear of how other family members will see me, fear of how I should show up for those sessions. Providing a sense of reassurance and security is one of the goals in family therapy. So, each family member feels heard and understood. Maybe not accepted right away, yet but being seen is very important for all of us.
Do we have to do some prep work while considering engaging in family therapy?
You are being brave and courageous by just simply thinking and considering engaging in family therapy. It is hard work. Neither easy nor impossible.
What would be the first step to take to start Family Therapy?
If your family is facing stress, distance, or conflict, you’re not alone—and help is available. Talk to a trusted relative or a close and trusted friend to learn more about how family therapy can support you strengthen your family bonds. You don’t have to fix things on your own. Support is out there, and your family’s healing journey can begin with one simple conversation.
Ready to Begin Your Family’s Healing Journey?
If you're ready to talk through whether family therapy might help your family, our team of family therapists at Canopy Cove Counselling in Alberta would be happy to connect with you on a complimentary consultation call to see if it would be a good fit for you.
See other posts about Family Therapy in Olds, Alberta:
Emotionally Focused Family Therapy (EFFT): Strengthening Sibling Bonds and Relationships
Understanding the Impact of Intergenerational Trauma on Family Dynamics
Managing Conflict in Your Relationship: Tips from EFT Couples Counsellors and Family Therapists
Strengthening Family Bonds: Exploring the Benefits of Family Therapy
