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Disclaimer: The contents of this site and all the pages herein are intended for informational purposes only and are subject to change without notice at any time. None of the information in this site is intended to be taken as medical direction or advice, therapeutic, legal, or otherwise. This is not a replacement for professional services. At no time does use of this site nor communication through this site constitute a therapeutic relationship between the user and therapist. Keri M. Zwerner, MA, LMFT and LifeHealingHeart assume no liability for the content of this site or damages that may result from use, reference to, reliance on, or decisions resulting from its use. Use of this site establishes your consent to the provisions of this disclaimer. Copyright 2006. All rights reserved
How does family therapy work?
Family therapy often brings entire families together in therapy sessions. However, family members may also see a family therapist individually, and family therapy may include nonfamily members, such as schoolteachers, other health care providers or representatives of social services agencies.
Working with a family therapist, you and your family will examine your family's ability to solve problems and express thoughts and emotions. You may explore family roles, rules and behavior patterns in order to spot issues that contribute to conflict. Family therapy may help you identify your family's strengths, such as caring for one another, and weaknesses, such as an inability to confide in one other.
For example, say that your adult son has depression. Your family may not understand the roots of his depression or how best to offer help. Although you're worried about your son's health, you have such deep-rooted family conflicts that conversations ultimately erupt into arguments. You're left with hurt feelings, decisions go unmade, and the rift grows wider.
Family therapy can help you pinpoint your specific concerns and assess how your family is handling them. Guided by your therapist, you'll learn new ways to interact and overcome old problems. You'll set individual and family goals and work on ways to achieve them. In the end, your son may be better equipped to cope with his depression, you'll understand his needs better, and you, your spouse and your son may all get along better.
Family therapy often brings entire families together in therapy sessions. However, family members may also see a family therapist individually, and family therapy may include nonfamily members, such as schoolteachers, other health care providers or representatives of social services agencies.
Working with a family therapist, you and your family will examine your family's ability to solve problems and express thoughts and emotions. You may explore family roles, rules and behavior patterns in order to spot issues that contribute to conflict. Family therapy may help you identify your family's strengths, such as caring for one another, and weaknesses, such as an inability to confide in one other.
For example, say that your adult son has depression. Your family may not understand the roots of his depression or how best to offer help. Although you're worried about your son's health, you have such deep-rooted family conflicts that conversations ultimately erupt into arguments. You're left with hurt feelings, decisions go unmade, and the rift grows wider.
Family therapy can help you pinpoint your specific concerns and assess how your family is handling them. Guided by your therapist, you'll learn new ways to interact and overcome old problems. You'll set individual and family goals and work on ways to achieve them. In the end, your son may be better equipped to cope with his depression, you'll understand his needs better, and you, your spouse and your son may all get along better.