Family therapy is an often overlooked part of therapy. It’s easy to assume that receiving professional help and/or spending some time in a treatment center can be enough to help with drug or alcohol abuse.
While this isn’t necessarily wrong, family support can go a long way in preventing relapse, which can restart the addiction chain reaction all over again.
However, no family is well-trained enough to handle such scenarios. Additionally, addiction may not be even present within a family for it to need family therapy, as its scope goes a lot wider.
If you happen to be in Long Island and need or know someone who requires therapy, do pay us a visit at 100 W Nicholai St – Hicksville, NY 11801.
That being said, let’s look more into what family therapy is all about.
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Family Therapy: A Bird’s Eye View
Family therapy is a form of evidence-based psychotherapy that focuses on treating the family as a whole unit rather than addressing individual issues in isolation.
One-on-one or in-person therapy can be highly effective on its own, but the interactions are a little different when multiple family members are struggling to communicate with each other at home.
This is especially difficult if underlying conditions like mental health issues or substance use problems exist.
Still, the primary goal of family therapy is to improve communication and relationships within the family system. Such discussions are well-controlled by family therapists to help formulate a good treatment plan.
The Role of Family Therapists
Family therapists are licensed mental health professionals who specialize in diagnosing and treating psychological issues within the context of family relationships.
These therapists work with the family members to help them identify patterns of larger problems before they get bigger to hopefully control them before they burst.
As facilitators, family therapists create a safe and supportive environment where all family members can express themselves openly.
They manage the flow of communication during sessions, ensuring that each person’s voice is heard and respected. This facilitation is crucial in helping families develop new ways of interacting and resolving conflicts.
In other words, family therapists are mediators who help family members find common ground during the session and maintain that communication after the session.
When Is Family Therapy Required?
Besides the need for improved communication, here’s when family therapy can be most effective:
1. During Substance Abuse Periods
Family therapy is essential during periods of substance abuse, as addiction often affects not just the individual but the entire family.
When a family member is struggling with drug or alcohol use, it can lead to significant stress, broken communication, and emotional pain among loved ones.
During Active Substance Use
Family therapy can help address enabling behaviors, set boundaries, and provide support for all members.
It assists in identifying patterns that may inadvertently contribute to the addiction, allowing the family to shift towards healthier dynamics.
After Detox and During Recovery
The post-detox period is crucial for long-term recovery. Family therapy plays a vital role in helping the struggling person during that.
It helps rebuild trust, and fosters a supportive environment, reducing the risk of relapse.
2. When There Are Marital or Relationship Issues
Family therapy is often sought when couples face significant challenges that they cannot resolve on their own.
Issues such as infidelity, chronic conflict, or communication breakdowns can strain the relationship, affecting the entire family.
Therapy offers a neutral space where couples can explore their issues, understand each other’s perspectives, and work towards rebuilding their relationship.
3. During Parenting Challenges
Parenting can be particularly challenging, especially when dealing with behavioral issues in children or disagreements about parenting styles.
Family therapy can be an excellent asset in helping parents deal with misbehaved children.
It can also be a great aid for young parents who just hand their first child and need help on how to take the best care of them.
4. When a Family Member Is Dealing with Mental Health Issues
Mental health conditions like depression, anxiety, or bipolar disorder can impact the entire family. Family therapy is crucial in these situations.
It helps family members understand the condition, learn how to provide appropriate support, and address any feelings of frustration, guilt, or helplessness. It also aids in creating a balanced environment that promotes the well-being of everyone involved.
5. During Major Life Transitions
Significant life changes, such as divorce, relocation, or the loss of a loved one, can create turmoil within a family.
Family therapy can also help here by providing a structured environment where members can process their emotions, and adjust to new circumstances.
What Are the Types of Family Therapy?
Depending on the situation a family might be in, various types of therapy can be utilized. There are over 10 of them, but we’ll focus on the primary four for now:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a widely used form of therapy that focuses on identifying and changing negative thought patterns and behaviors.
In the context of family therapy, CBT helps family members recognize how their thoughts and beliefs influence their interactions and relationships.
Challenging and altering these cognitive distortions allows families to develop healthier communication patterns, reduce conflict, and foster a more supportive environment.
Note: CBT is particularly effective in addressing issues like anxiety, depression, and behavioral problems within the family.
Narrative Therapy
Narrative Therapy is centered around the idea that people construct their identities and experiences through the stories they tell about themselves and their lives.
How does it apply to family therapy?
Narrative therapy encourages each family member to share their perspective, allowing them to reframe negative stories and view their experiences in a new light.
This approach helps families separate the individual from the problem, reducing blame and fostering empathy.
Structural Family Therapy
Structural Family Therapy (SFT) focuses on the organization and hierarchy within a family system.
It examines the roles and boundaries that define relationships among family members and seeks to restructure them to promote healthier interactions.
This type of therapy is particularly effective in families where there are issues of power imbalance, such as in cases of parental conflict or where children have taken on inappropriate roles.
Systemic Family Therapy
Systemic Family Therapy views the family as an interconnected system where each member influences and is influenced by the others.
This approach focuses on understanding the patterns of interactions and communication within the family, rather than isolating individual problems.
Systemic therapy aims to identify and modify these patterns to improve the overall functioning of the family.
It is particularly effective in addressing complex family dynamics, such as those involving generational issues, cultural differences, or long-standing conflicts.
The Best Family Therapy in Long Island
Family therapy is extremely important during drug and alcohol addiction treatment. The addictive substances may leave the person’s body in a few days, but the psychological dependence can take weeks and months (sometimes years).
If the family isn’t capable of maintaining the ideal environment for the recovering person after they leave the rehabilitation center, chances of relapse can increase.
If you’re on Long Island, and happen to need help for yourself or anyone else you care about, don’t hesitate to call us today.
Our programs are systemically crafted to suit a variety of levels, and our telehealth team is ready to help you regardless of where you are.