Last reviewed:
Aug 20th 2023
M.A., LPCC
Family therapy, or family counseling, is a short-term form of psychotherapy that focuses specifically on improving the functioning of the family unit. This type of therapy is used to address an array of problems, from communication to infidelity to substance abuse.
Family therapy is an effective tool for improving familial relationships that are strained, broken, or otherwise troubled. In some cases, family therapy is needed because the family system isn't functioning in a healthy way. In other cases, family therapy is used in situations in which the problems experienced by one family member are negatively impacting the rest of the family.[1]
For example, family therapy is a popular option in cases of separation or divorce. It addresses the "thing" - in this case, divorce - causing strife in the family. Each family member gets to explore their feelings and examine their actions and attitudes to effectively deal with the stress and tension brought about by the divorce.
Many types of family counseling have been developed over the years as a means of addressing different struggles families face. Some of the most popular types of family intervention strategies are outlined below:
The techniques and activities used in this type of therapy depends on the specific needs of the family, the family’s strengths and weaknesses, and the theoretical orientation of the therapist, among other factors. However, some commonly used techniques include the following:[5]
Family counseling is an effective approach for treating various day-to-day problems or serious mental health disorders within families.
For example, family therapy can address:[1]
Family intervention strategies can also be used to treat diagnosable disorders, such as:[10]
A host of benefits can be derived from participating in family therapy. On the one hand, families can learn skills that enhance their ability to communicate, share feelings, and support one another. These and other benefits directly impact the family’s daily functioning and the overall health of each relationship within the family unit.
On the other hand, as noted earlier, family therapy benefits families dealing with mental health issues like addiction. For example, family therapy helps people with addictions stay in treatment and reduces the likelihood of continued substance abuse.[11]
Additionally, family members not experiencing a mental health issue can benefit from therapy. Using our addictions example from above, people with a family member who abuses drugs can feel less stress and anger after completing family therapy. Furthermore, family therapy can help prevent other family members from using drugs.[11]
Of course, family therapy can be beneficial at a fundamental level because it's an opportunity to learn about (and from) one another. For example, a family that enters therapy because the father has paranoid schizophrenia can learn about what schizophrenia is, how it affects their father, and strategies they can use to help him cope with his symptoms.[5]
As another example, families benefit from this type of therapy when one or more family members have an eating disorder. Family members without a disorder can learn about their loved one's experience, learn better ways to support their loved one, and gain insight into how their current behaviors may or may not be helping the situation.
Family therapy has some weaknesses, though. For example, it isn’t as effective if everyone in the family isn’t present and participates.[11] Likewise, sometimes the presenting issue that brought the family into therapy can intensify in the short term, though this is common in all types of therapy.
Another feature of family counseling to consider is that therapists can sometimes be sucked into the family dynamic or dysfunction. As such, family therapists must commit to consistent reflection and be open to supervision or consultation with other therapists to process their client interactions and the feelings that arise in therapy with their clients.
Family therapy is generally considered adequate for addressing various issues, ranging from children's behavior, poor communication, and severe mental health disorders. The efficacy of the treatment depends on many factors, though, not the least of which is the type of treatment.
For example, functional family therapy is highly effective in reducing recidivism of juvenile offenders. Multidimensional family therapy reduces adolescent drug use by as much as 45 percent. And brief forms of family therapy promise to reduce children's behavioral difficulties and improve family functioning.[12]
Other research shows that family therapy isn’t just effective, but it doesn’t take long to be effective. More than 65 percent of family therapy cases conclude within 20 sessions, but the average is just nine sessions.[13]
Choosing the right therapist for you and your family requires considering several factors. Certainly, word of mouth and reviews about therapists can help you narrow down the field of possibilities. Unfortunately, the expense of therapy also plays into the decision-making process.
Additionally, you might consider the following factors and questions as critical components of your decision-making:
Ultimately, it can be challenging to determine if a therapist is the right fit until you meet. Sometimes, you'll know immediately if they're the therapist for you and your family. In other cases, it will be apparent that they are not the right therapist for you. The important thing is to stay positive and keep looking for the right therapist if the first one doesn't quite work out.
Resources:
About MentalHealth.com
MentalHealth.com is a patient-first technology company driven by its mission to make optimal mental health attainable for everyone. With a focus on expanding care access, empowering choice, and enhancing care quality, the company delivers innovative solutions that support individuals throughout their mental health journey.
Medical Content
Our Medical Affairs Team is a dedicated group of medical professionals with diverse and extensive clinical experience who actively contribute to the development of our content, products, and services. They meticulously evaluate and review all medical content before publication to ensure it is medically accurate and aligned with current discussions and research developments in mental health. For further information, please visit our Editorial Policy.