Everyone knows family can be stressful. No matter how much we love our loved ones, time, relationship dynamics, past trauma, and communication barriers can keep family members from truly connecting. Family therapy programs can help couples, parents, children, and extended family reconnect through active listening, authentic speech, and reestablishing family dynamics.
If you and your loved ones are ready to reconnect, call Atlanta Detox Center today to learn about our family therapy program. Reach out to our staff 470.450.2355 or visit us online to learn more about the benefits of family therapy and family therapy techniques at Atlanta Detox Center.
4 Family Therapy Techniques
1. Family Systems Therapy
One of the fundamental family therapy techniques is family systems therapy, which helps people overcome mental health challenges.
2. Functional Family Therapy
This family therapy approach is a short-term program to help teens and families dealing with substance abuse and other challenges.
3. Narrative Family Therapy
This approach allows family members to tell their side of the family story to understand each other’s experiences better.
4. Psychoeducation
This therapy focuses on the education and understanding of mental health disorders.
Goals of Family Therapy
Family therapy helps couples, nuclear families, and other family groups through talk therapy sessions. Moderated by a certified family counselor, family therapy sessions evaluate relationships and foster open communication between family members. Tools learned in family therapy help shift unhealthy patterns and dynamics at home.
Family therapy focuses on:
- Communication and listening
- Healthy boundaries
- Problem-solving
- More deeply understanding the experience of others
- Understanding and changing behavioral patterns
- Recognizing familial roles
- Adapting to change
- Addressing disfunction
- Coping tools for daily stress and life changes
A trained third-party listener can make a world of difference in family therapy. Some family members feel they are not heard, while others may struggle to listen. A therapist can provide clients with tools, exercises, and homework to implement change in their relationship and the outside world. Gaining an understanding of familial relationships through family counseling technique exercises also helps clients gain a greater understanding of themselves.
Family Therapy Approaches
Every person and every family has different needs. They will also respond differently to various approaches and exercises in family therapy. Some therapists may stick with one style of therapy, while others will incorporate exercises and tools from multiple approaches.
For example:
- Behavioral approaches like modeling and role-playing help loved ones better understand others.
- Psychodynamic approaches help people develop emotional insight and effective responses.
- Structural approaches address boundaries and power dynamics and establish healthy routines.
Family therapy exercises and techniques help family members cope with stress, adapt to significant life changes, and improve communication and emotional awareness. They also foster collaboration and compassion towards others.
Is Family Therapy Right for Me?
Family therapy can help loved ones through major life changes or the day-to-day.
Family therapy may be right for you if:
- You are ready and willing to change in your relationships.
- Your family has undergone sudden stress or trauma.
- You struggle to express your emotions.
- You are ready to establish boundaries at home.
- You want more compassionate conversations.
- You struggle to understand other peoples’ experiences.
Family therapy is increasingly common across the United States. While some techniques help mitigate sudden changes like a natural disaster, a death in the family, moving to a new home, or drug use, ongoing family therapy can help build strong relationships and reduce stress.
Begin Family Therapy Today at Atlanta Detox Center
Beginning family therapy can be scary. Whether you and your loved ones are ready for therapy or still researching options, Atlanta Detox Center can help. Our Atlanta GA addiction recovery center provides comprehensive family therapy and stress management for individuals, couples, families, and groups. Learn more about the benefits of family therapy by calling us today at 470.450.2355 or filling out our online form for more information.
