When Is Family Therapy Necessary?

Do you feel that your family dynamics are full of conflict? In this article, we will explain what family therapy is and when it is necessary.

Human, social conditions are complex – even among family members. Family therapy is a psychotherapeutic approach that seeks to improve the interaction between family members.

In this article, we will explain when family therapy is needed. We will also review some of the most basic principles and tell you in which cases it can be effective.

What is family therapy?

The goal of family therapy is to discover the primary problems that affect family members. Therefore, it is a therapeutic process that aims to improve coexistence.

In family therapy, problems such as self-assertive communication, frustration tolerance, and acknowledgment of one’s own and others’ feelings need to be addressed. This is done to improve the adaptability of the family members.

Authorized psychologists, therapists and in some cases clinical social workers offer this type of therapy. Family therapy is usually short, as the primary goal is to solve specific problems.

What are the benefits of family therapy?

Below we will share a list of the primary benefits of going to a family therapist. In addition to improving assertive communication, it has other important benefits.

Sometimes families need professional help to improve their communication.

1. It does not require the participation of the whole family

Although this therapy focuses on improving the family system, not all members need to be present. Only those who feel they have a need for it should do so.

The therapist will be able to contribute the necessary resources to those who participate in the therapy so that they can be the ones who create the changes in their family.

2. It improves communication

Communication ensures healthy family ties. In many cases , poor communication leads to intense conflicts in families. However, as communication improves, so does the problem.

During the first sessions, the therapist should play the role of “translator” to ensure effective communication between family members. The therapist will try to understand what lies behind certain behavior patterns or phrases, and give family members tools to express themselves.

3. Family therapy strengthens trust in the family

Another aspect that usually leads to conflicts in a family is mistrust. When situations destroy trust in a family, conditions will quickly deteriorate.

To develop trust, family members need to understand that some things cannot be changed. That is why they have to accept them and move on. They will feel much better when they do this.

Sooner or later , they will be able to build trust with the other family members again. However, this process does not always happen in the same way in all cases. In some families, some relationships may take longer to heal.

4. It prevents future problems

In psychology, there are real and apparent reasons. When a person or family goes into therapy, they do so for an “apparent reason”.

As the process continues, the therapist will be able to discover the real causes of the problems and prevent them from aggravating them or creating new problems.

5. Reduces aggression

Aggression is natural in all people and it allows us to deal with certain situations. When we say that someone is aggressive, we mean that they are determined. It is not the same as being violent.

In family conflicts, it is common for poorly channeled aggression to end up leading to domestic violence. This is why one of the primary goals of the family therapist should be to reduce aggression and channel the aggression towards more adaptive methods of conflict resolution.

When is family therapy necessary?

A family will need the help of a therapist when they have ended up in a situation that affects all the members of the family. People usually try to seek individualized help first. In this case , the therapist should suggest family therapy.

As we have mentioned above, not all family members will want to participate in the process. It is best that each family member participates voluntarily with a desire to make use of the therapeutic resources in their daily lives.

All families have problems. However, when the conflicts become recurring and intense, the family can crumble. Therefore, one should consult a family therapist when the discomfort becomes prolonged and intense.

Aggression is not the same as violence. However, it is the therapist’s role to channel the former to avoid major problems.

Character traits in a healthy family

A healthy family, if it exists, is a family that handles conflicts in a functional way without letting the bonds be permanently affected. A number of traits are typical of healthy families:

Respect for the individual differences of each of the family members.
Proper care without ending in overprotection or neglect.

Healthy living conditions.
Rules that are not rigid and that can be reduced when necessary.
Natural communication without fear of expressing oneself.

What you can do if your family does not want to go into therapy

If one’s family refuses to go into therapy, one may decide to go on their own to acquire essential communication skills. Next , one can try to get the other family members to get involved voluntarily in the process.

In some cases, the therapist may contact family members to invite them in for a session. It does not matter that you decide to go into therapy on your own, as this first step can help improve your family’s situation.