Family Counseling

Family therapy may be an unappealing concept to many people who experience issues or challenges with relatives. Having a heart to heart with your parents or siblings is probably the last thing that you want to do. However, as many as 50,000 therapists conduct family therapy sessions, which are a highly effective method to address deep-seated issues that are affecting your family relationships. As a therapist who provides family counseling for Bethesda, MD can explain, such as one from Lindsey Hoskins & Associates can tell you, family counseling offers a way for you and your relatives to openly and honestly discuss the heart of your issues. 

The Root of the Issues

The therapist will sit with you all during a session and raise topics and questions to see what the root of your problems are. Maybe it’s a communication style that you are used to, or a past experience that caused an argument. They will talk with you to understand your personalities and your family dynamic to get a sense of the struggles you are facing.  

Creating an Open Environment 

Having a safe space to speak freely about what is bothering you is critical for a successful family therapy session. Everyone needs to be able to feel like they can speak to one another without criticism. The therapist’s role is to introduce that environment and emphasize that everyone during the session will get a chance to speak about their perspective and experience. 

Suggesting Coping Techniques 

Once a therapist has an idea of what kind of issues that a family is struggling with, they will suggest various techniques to enable the clients to peacefully and respectfully resolve their conflicts. The therapist may emphasize techniques for conflict resolution, healthy emotional expression and anger management. 

Developing a Strategy 

A therapist might suggest a large plan for you and your family to move towards healing. After they have identified what is driving your issues, they will propose action steps for you and your relatives to take. This can include practicing healthy ways of communicating, having weekly check-ins, and writing down your thoughts. The therapist will create a treatment plan for everyone, which may consist of additional sessions. 

Asking Questions 

At the end of your session, you and your family members are free to ask the therapist about any topics that you would like to discuss. If you have any questions about what you have just gone over or would like more details about treatment , this is your chance to ask them. Write down a list of topics to bring up so that you can make the most of your session. 

Before you attend your first family counseling session, it is a good idea to be prepared about what to expect. It will make your first counseling session less intimidating, and you will feel more confident about the experience. If you would like to learn more about how family counseling can help you, schedule an appointment with a trained therapist or mental health professional now.