The common reasons why families go to family therapy are emotional and behavioral problems. These problems are not a child’s fault alone, but rather a product of their environment, which is the family.
Although the term family is often associated with blood relatives, it also refers to those individuals who play a supportive role in a child’s life. In order to be effective, family therapy must take into account the behavior of all these individuals.
During sessions, therapists are often called upon to take sides. This tactic can be an oversight since the therapist is being asked to treat an entire family. Focusing on a single member of the family can reinforce the therapist’s preconceived notions about the family, which is not always helpful.
To avoid this problem, it is important for the psychiatric therapist to develop the ability to work across differences and to be objective.
The goal of family therapy is to improve the lives of all family members. While it can help a struggling family member, it also focuses on the whole family. The approach will depend on the family’s situation and the characteristics of the different members.
For instance, a therapy session may focus on one member, while a more intensive approach may address the entire family. This will also depend on whether children are involved and the level of functioning of each individual. If you’re in need of a family therapist get in contact with Suffolk Family Therapy today
