WHAT IS FAMILY THERAPY?

Family therapy is a type of psychotherapy that can help family members improve communication and resolve conflicts. It differs from individual approaches in that it deals with problems within the family institution and works directly with family members. Family therapy generally assumes that all family members have problems and that family members play important roles in the maintenance or resolution of the problem. This type of therapy is sometimes carried out with the participation of all family members, sometimes with the participation of some family members and sometimes a single person in the family. Family therapy often helps increase mutual understanding between family members and a better understanding of family relationships. In addition, the problems of family members are examined on the basis of their interactions. The goal is not to blame a family member or see what the problem is, but to point out the cycles in the family system that are causing the problem to persist and change them.

WHAT ARE THE PROBLEMS FAMILY THERAPY WORKS ON?

Ideally, our families are those we can always count on for support, get strength and feedback, feel close and comfortable, and share our thoughts and feelings openly. In reality, few families always meet these expectations, and in some cases, families are far from ideal. Instead, problems such as stress, misunderstanding, anger, disconnection, and unmet needs arise. Family therapy can help develop troubled relationships with husband and wife, children, or other family members. Family therapy deals with issues such as marital or financial problems, conflict between parents and children, the impact of substance addiction or mental illness on the whole family.

WHAT DOES FAMILY THERAPY DO?

In the first sessions, the therapist talks to family members to understand problems. The therapist asks questions to family members about how they see the problems, the origin of the problems, and how the family has tried to manage the problems that have been there. Later, the therapist creates a treatment plan based on the information received.

The aim of family therapy is to help clients resolve conflicts within the family and not blame anyone for what happened.

The therapist will help family members communicate better, solve problems, and find new ways to live together. Family therapy cannot always fix a problem. However, Therapists can give family members new skills to manage the problem better. The duration and frequency of sessions can vary depending on factors such as the severity of the problems, how long the problem has existed, and how much the problem affects daily life.

Following the recommendations given below during family therapy may help your therapy process to progress in a healthier way.

• Examine your family's ability to solve problems and express thoughts and feelings productively.

• Explore family roles, rules, and behavior patterns to identify problems that contribute to conflict and ways to solve these problems.

• Identify your family's strengths such as caring for each other and weaknesses such as difficulty trusting each other.

WHAT ARE THE TYPES OF FAMILY THERAPY?

In family therapy, there are four types of therapy commonly used by Expert Psychologists;

1. Supportive Family Therapy

It is often used to help family members express their feelings about a problem that affects the whole family. This type of family therapy provides a safe and open environment where everyone can express what they feel. It is an open opportunity for families to get together and talk openly about issues that are bothering them, and for the therapist to offer practical advice.

2. Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

It tries to change the way people think and behave in order to reduce or get rid of the problem. In cognitive-behavioral therapy, the therapist can assign homework or prepare specific behavioral programs to each family member. 

3. Psychodynamic Therapy

Psychodynamic therapy tends to look more at the individual's subconscious. This type of therapy seeks to reduce problems by exposing deep-seated problems. Many therapists using this method provide individuals with real reasons for their arguments, aiming for family members to be able to solve difficulties more successfully. 

4. Systemic Family Therapy

It emphasizes the emotions of the whole family. It tries to determine the opinions and attitudes of the whole family in order to reveal the problems within the family dynamic and what is happening in the family. After the Therapist fully understands these areas, the Therapist aims to bring problems, attitudes, and relationships to a useful and realistic level.

WHO BENEFITS FROM FAMILY THERAPY? 

Mild or severe family issues can result from behavioral and mental health issues in the family or certain stressful events. Common family problems include:

•          Financial issues

•          Grief

•          Substance abuse

•          Behavioral problems and academic issues in children and teenagers.

•          Mental health concerns

•          Separation, divorce or mixed family arrangements

•          Chronic illnesses  

Regardless of the source, upsetting family dynamics can greatly interfere with the functioning of every family, including the extended family. However, people living in the same household are more likely to be affected than those who lives separately. When family members do not get along, tension can affect each family member's mental and physical health, relationships, and even capacity for routine tasks. Problems in a family can be seen through repeated family conflicts, dramatic behavioral shifts in children and teenagers, mood swings, and depression.

WHAT ARE THE PURPOSES OF FAMILY THERAPY? 

Family therapy gives family members the opportunity to remove the conditioning and help each other. It focuses on the individual's acceptance of the different aspects of each family member and on regulating the balance of living together. The party receiving the treatment is not the individual, but the network of relationships that individuals are connected to. In some cases, the therapist may point out problems unknown to family members and get them to work at that point. At the same time, the therapist pays attention to how family members treat each other. Although research has shown that family therapy is effective in all kinds of psychological problems, the problems generally used for family therapy are:

• Difficulties in bilateral relations within the family,

• Problems arising from responsibility sharing,

• Problems experienced when the problem of one family member (panic attack, animal phobia, anger management, depression, etc.) affects others. 

In addition, all kinds of trauma (loss, bankruptcy, accident, etc.) are in the field of family therapy. 

HOW LONG DOES FAMILY THERAPY TAKE?

Family therapy is usually short term. It can include all family members or only those willing to participate. Specific treatment plans may vary depending on the families circumstances. Family therapy sessions can help deepen family bonds and teach skills to cope with stressful times. Therapy consists of approximately 12 sessions. The number of sessions needed may vary depending on the special situation of the families and the therapist's recommendation.

Before scheduling sessions with a therapist, it should be measured whether the therapist is suitable for the family that comes to consult. In this respect, some factors to be considered and questions to be asked should be as follows:

• What is their education and experience background?

• Are they licensed by the state?

• How did they gain their expertise for family therapy?

• What is their experience with the problem?

(You can find all the information from the profiles of our experts.) 

IS IT NECESSARY TO USE MEDICINES WITH FAMILY THERAPY?

Therapy can teach coping and self-management skills. However, in some cases, further treatment may be recommended. Depending on the client's concerns and physical health, seeing just one therapist may be sufficient. For some concerns, medication may be helpful. In such cases, it will be more useful to talk to a psychiatrist. A thorough evaluation can help the client identify the nature of their problem and all treatment options that may be appropriate for their situation. You can get support from an expert to help you evaluate these treatment options correctly. 

WHAT ARE THE CHARACTERISTICS OF FAMILY THERAPISTS?

Becoming a therapist or consultant requires certain basic skills. Some of the basic skills that therapists can help in their profession include:

Effective Relationships: Marriage and family therapists regularly work directly with people and need to quickly establish trusting relationships to work effectively with their clients. Clients are more likely to form a positive therapeutic relationship with a therapist who has good communication skills. Because this can provide comfort and confidence.

Problem Solving: Solving problems as a family therapist requires in-depth knowledge of family systems theory and research on family therapy, critical thinking, and clinical skills.

Cultural Sensitivity: Marriage and family therapists can expect to work with different people from all walks of life. Therefore, they should be able to appreciate issues related to diversity, including culture, ethnicity, gender, nationality, race, religion, sexual orientation, and spirituality.

Ethics: Family therapists should be able to establish a reliable and honest relationship with their clients that requires awareness of confidentiality issues, clinical practice, and legal responsibilities and obligations of the research. To provide ethical therapy, counselors and therapists must be able to create and maintain healthy boundaries with the people they assist in therapy. Therapists must be able to clearly communicate to clients about the nature and limits of the therapeutic relationship.                                                                                                        

Empathy: Empathy is the ability to understand and describe another person's experiences, even if they don't express their thoughts or feelings openly. A good therapist should be able to understand their choices and feelings, even if they disagree with clients. They must empathize with the wide variety of clients they encounter.

Listening Skills: In almost all types of therapy, therapists need to actively listen to people, reflect their thoughts back on them, and remember important events and emotions that clients convey. They should also pay attention to what the clients do not mention and how they communicate.                                                            

IS ONLINE THERAPY CONVERSATION USEFUL IN FAMILY THERAPY?

Whatever problems are in the family, online family therapy counseling can help them solve these problems. Families need the comfort of their homes because they believe they are more comfortable talking about things that bother them. In these cases, the online therapy consultation provides an advantage for families. If it is a sensitive issue during the conversation, it is one of the factors that should be paid attention to not being in the same room as family members. At this point, Terapiya is there to provide the best service together with licensed specialist family counselors.