Family Therapy

Family Therapy in Palm City, Florida

Family therapy is a type of talk therapy that can improve communication and relationships between family members. Family members meet with a licensed therapist to address behavioral issues, mental health conditions, and more.

Family therapy can support families during challenges, transitions, or conflicts. Working with a therapist as a family unit can help families process experiences and emotions. It can also help them learn new coping skills and solve problems as a team.

This article will explore how family therapy works. You will learn:

• What family therapy is
• Common types of family therapy
• Who may benefit from family therapy
• What to expect when participating in family therapy
• Where to find family therapy programs

If you or a family member requires support or treatment for a mental health condition, you are not alone. Contact Palm City Wellness to learn more about our programs. Find holistic family therapy in Palm City, FL by reaching out to our intake team today.

What is Family Therapy?

Family therapy is a specialized form of group therapy. During therapy sessions, family members work with a licensed mental health professional to address specific concerns.

Any combination of family members may attend family counseling sessions, including:

• Parents
• Children
• Grandparents
• Siblings
• Aunts and uncles
• Cousins
• Extended family members
• Close friends

All family members may benefit from participating in this form of psychotherapy. Licensed marriage and family therapists support the entire family system by offering guidance, support, education, and resources. This holistic support can help family members find solutions to problems and overcome challenges together.

Families may work on specific conditions or problems, including mental health disorders or substance use disorder (SUD). Or, they may choose to work toward other goals.

Attending family therapy can help families learn and grow as a unit. Family members learn to set healthy boundaries, cope with challenges in healthy ways, and communicate more clearly. These skills can help families create a healthier environment for all members.

Common Family Therapy Approaches

Mental health treatment and support are not one-size-fits-all. Each family has its own unique needs, challenges, and goals. There are several types of family counseling to help meet a wide range of needs.

Here is an overview of different therapeutic approaches.

Marriage, family, and couples therapy

Couples or family groups work with a licensed mental health professional to address specific concerns and solve problems. Common marriage and family therapy issues include parenting, money management, communication, and coping with mental health disorders.

Systematic family therapy

Systematic family counseling involves exploring the varied contexts that can lead to problems within a family. This therapeutic approach focuses on identifying each family member’s role. It also explores cultural, religious, and other factors that affect family relationships.

Structural family therapy

Structural family therapy helps people identify the relationships within a family unit. It focuses on the interactions between family members and encourages families to develop positive, healthy solutions to problems.

Therapists may use different techniques to help families address specific concerns. The primary goal of all family counseling approaches is to help families work together to make positive changes.

Who Can Benefit From Participating in Family Therapy?

Families going through transitions or challenges may benefit from family counseling. Therapy can also benefit families affected by mental health conditions, including:

• Mood disorders
• Anxiety disorders
• Schizophrenia
• Bipolar disorder
• Substance use disorder (SUD)
• Personality disorders
• Eating disorders

Families impacted by autism, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and other neurodivergence may benefit from attending family counseling.

Generally, family therapy is beneficial to families experiencing:

• Grief
• Physical or emotional trauma
• Unemployment
• Strained relationships
• Incarceration
• Anger
• Stress
• Chronic or acute illness of a family member
• Problems with communication
• Relationship challenges or divorce

Family therapy provides a safe place for members of a family to process feelings and experiences. Family members also learn about mental health conditions and work together to solve problems.

What Happens in Family Therapy?

Family therapy allows family members to express their thoughts, feelings, and needs in a safe, non-judgmental environment. Working alongside a mental health professional, family members work to improve communication and develop new skills.

All therapy sessions are unique to meet the needs of each family. However, a therapist typically facilitates each session by:

• Offering each family member an opportunity to share their thoughts or concerns
• Encouraging family members to take turns speaking and listening
• Clarifying statements to ensure understanding
• Helping people understand the impact of their words and behaviors
• Guiding families to develop healthy strategies to solve problems
• Helping family members identify problems and set goals

For therapy to be effective, all members must be committed to the process. The length of time a family spends in therapy varies and depends on each family’s unique needs.

Find a Palm City Family Therapy Program

If you and your family members might benefit from therapy, help is available at Palm City Wellness. Reach out to our specialists to explore our family therapy programs or other types of support. Contact our intake team with questions or to schedule an intake appointment.