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Family Therapy
Family Therapy Serving Fort Pierce, FL
Family therapy is a type of psychotherapy (talk therapy) focusing on improving relationships between family members. Families may engage in therapy to address mental health or behavioral disorders.
Family therapy can benefit families during challenges or transitions. It can help people develop better communication, healthy boundaries, and new coping skills. Working with a licensed therapist can help families address challenges, process emotions, and work together toward solutions.
This article will explore family therapy. You will learn:
- What family therapy entails
- Different therapeutic approaches
- What conditions therapy can address
- What to expect in family therapy
- Where to find family therapy in Fort Pierce
If you or a loved one needs support to manage a mental health condition or substance use disorder (SUD), you are not alone. Compassionate, effective treatment is available at Agape Behavioral Center. Contact our intake team now to schedule an intake appointment or to ask questions.
What is Family Therapy?
Family therapy is a form of group therapy. During sessions, members of a family work with a mental health professional. Any combination of family members may attend therapy sessions, including:
- Parents
- Children
- Siblings
- Grandparents
- Cousins
- Friends
- Aunts and uncles
Anyone who is part of a family unit may benefit from participating in family counseling. Marriage and family therapists can help families by providing education, support, and guidance to help them manage challenges. Families may work to address a specific condition, such as substance abuse, or work toward other goals.
Exploring Different Types of Family Therapy
Each family has different needs. Mental health professionals may use a variety of therapeutic techniques to meet people’s varying needs.
Here is an overview of several types of family therapy.
Marriage and family therapy
Marriage and family therapy can help spouses or partners. Partners work with a licensed therapist during sessions to identify and solve problems. People may address issues related to parenting, money, mental health conditions, communication, and more.
Structural family therapy
Structural family therapy can help people examine the relationships and roles that exist in family units. This form of therapy focuses on interactions among family members to create positive changes. Families can often develop solutions to their relationship problems using this type of therapy. People use these techniques to identify and change harmful behavior patterns.
Strategic family therapy
Systematic family counseling involves exploring the different contexts that may contribute to family problems. This type of family focuses on the multiple roles each family member has. It also considers how culture, religion, and other factors affect family relationships.
Strategic family therapy
Strategic family counseling is a short-term therapy. It focuses on making positive behavioral and structural changes within the family system. This therapeutic approach considers the family environment to be the most critical aspect of childhood development.
Therapists may use a combination of therapies to help families address specific concerns. Participating in family counseling can help families understand each other’s needs and work together toward positive changes.
Who Benefits From Family Therapy?
Education and counseling can benefit families going through challenges or transitions, including:
- Strained family relationships
- Divorce or relationship problems
- Unemployment
- Incarceration
- Physical or psychological trauma
- Grief
- Communication issues
- Stress
- Anger
- Acute or chronic illness of a family member
Families may also benefit from counseling when a member is living with a mental health condition, including:
- Anxiety disorder
- Eating disorder
- Mood disorders
- Schizophrenia
- Substance use disorder (SUD)
- Personality disorders
People with neurodivergence, including autism or ADHD, may benefit from attending therapy with their family members.
What to Expect in Family Therapy
The primary goal of family therapy is to help families identify and address their issues. Family therapy creates a safe, non-judgmental environment that allows family members to be open and honest. With the support of a mental health professional, family members work to improve communication and relationships.
Your therapist may facilitate sessions by:
- Allowing each family member to express their concerns
- Encouraging members to take turns talking and listening to each other
- Helping people understand the impact of their behaviors
- Clarifying statements and emotions to ensure understanding
- Helping family members identify and work toward positive changes
- Guiding families to create healthy strategies for changing harmful patterns
All participating family members must be actively involved in the therapeutic process. You and your family members will develop a positive, trusting relationship with the therapist that supports meaningful change.
There is no standard number of therapy sessions. Each family will have their own unique process. Some families may address their problems in just a few sessions, and some may continue therapy for months or longer.
Family Therapy in Fort Pierce, Florida
If you and your family need support to manage challenges or improve relationships, you are not alone. Engaging in therapy as a family unit can help you identify problems and work toward healthy solutions.
Reach out to the Agape Behavioral Center specialists to learn about our family therapy programs or explore other mental health treatment options in Fort Pierce.