The purpose of family counseling is to address issues that affect families' mental health and their overall functioning. This means addressing the specific relationships within the family as well as examining the familial relationship as a cohesive unit. The ultimate goal is to help foster a better home environment, develop skills for problem- and conflict-resolution, and seek to understand the specific issues that each family brings to the table and adjust skills accordingly.
What are the Different "Types" of Family Counseling?
- Family systems --- helps individuals use the strengths of their relationships within their family to overcome mental health problems, be they individual or within the whole family
- Functional family --- often short-term, this is focused on young individuals experiencing problems with risky behavior; solution-focused but constructing trust and respect for each person within the family
- Narrative family --- allows each member of the family to share their story; understand how the stories begin to interconnect and may differ from one another
- Psychoeducation --- provide education surrounding mental health conditions; demystifies mental health problems in a supportive environment
What are Some Techniques Used in Family Counseling?
- Behavioral --- develop skills and undergo psychoeducation
- Psychodynamic --- understand how each family member adapts to and understands their own experiences and problems they are facing
- Structural --- assist families in understanding how to set boundaries and understand power dynamics within the family
What Can Family Therapy Help With?
- Behavioral problems
- Communication difficulties
- Parent-child conflicts
- Sibling tension
- Stressful events/major life transitions
- Trauma
Here at Madrigal, we are committed to addressing issues related to families in a holistic manner.
*This information was adapted from Very Well Mind. Click this link for more information.*