As a type of psychotherapy or psychological counseling, family therapy can help family members establish better communication and resolve conflicts within the family unit. Under the guidance of a licensed family psychologist, family therapy is a short-term form of therapy that typically includes two or more family members.
While the exact nature of a family therapy session depends on the issue at hand, family therapy sessions will teach your family the skills to have richer, more meaningful connections during good and bad times -- even long after therapy has concluded.
Why Engage in Family Therapy?
For many, family therapy in the Bay Area is a way to improve familial relationships within the family. Whether you're dealing with marital or financial problems -- or other issues such as conflict between children and parents, mental illness or substance abuse -- a family therapist can help your family get back on track.
Family therapy is a great way to deal with a situation in the family that is causing stress, anger or conflict, especially if the issue is getting worse and attempts to acknowledge or remedy the matter have failed. By learning the skills and tools needed to establish stronger bonds with each other, you'll be able to increase understanding and affect real change in your family's dynamics.
Preparing for Family Therapy
Before you decide to sit down with a licensed family therapist in the Bay Area, it's important to find the right family therapist for you and your family. Aside from a therapist's education and experience, including where they went to school and their professional background, you'll want to work with a therapist that you actually enjoy talking to. After all, if anyone's being defensive or is fighting the process, you'll be short-changing your therapy sessions before they even start.
If in-person therapy sessions are important to you, you'll want to find out where their office is and what their hours are. The best family therapist in the Bay Area won't do you any good if they're not available when you are or if you have to spend hours traveling to and from your appointments. Keep in mind that many therapists now offer video therapy sessions via Zoom or Google Hangouts, so don't let location be a deciding factor if a video chat would be more convenient.
Beyond that, don't forget to ask about things like session length and how many sessions you'll likely need. While your therapist won't be able to tell the future, they'll know based on their experience what you might be in for -- and it'll also give you a clue as to what to expect.
What To Expect With Family Therapy
While most family therapy sessions will be attended by two or more family members, individuals can also see a family therapist in the Bay Area on their own. Sometimes it can help if one family member works with the therapist up front -- such as in the case of addiction or mental illness -- bringing in other family members as needed.
Get Help With Quick Results Counseling
If you're in need of a family therapist in the Bay Area, Quick Results Counseling can help. From child and teen therapy to EDMR and other approaches, we have the experience and know-how to provide lasting assistance. No matter what it is that you or your family is struggling with, one of our therapists can help you learn the tools and skills to move forward and on with your lives in a handful of visits. Contact us to schedule a free 45 minute consultation call to get started.