Family therapy: How it works and who it is suitable for

Family relationships can be intense and valuable, but also challenging. Misunderstandings, conflicts or drastic changes can strain family dynamics. Family therapy helps improve mutual relationships and offers tools to get along better. A therapist guides the conversations and makes sure all involved feel heard.

What is family therapy?

Family therapy is a form of psychotherapy which focuses on improving communication and relationships within a family. This may involve parents and children, siblings or other close family members. Sometimes family therapy is used to address specific problems, such as behavioural problems in children, addiction or mental health problems of a family member.

Common situations where family therapy can be helpful:

• Recurring conflicts between family members.
• Difficult life changes, such as divorce or moving house.
• Grief and loss processing within the family.
• Dealing with a family member's mental illness or addiction.
• Problems in parenting and differences in parenting styles.
• Different forms of family therapy

There are different ways to help families, depending on what they need.

• Systemic therapy: Looks at the family as a whole and focuses on the interactions and patterns between family members.
• Structural family therapy: Explores roles and boundaries within the family and helps restore healthy dynamics.
• Strategic family therapy: Focuses on concrete behavioural changes and practical solutions.
• Functional family therapy (FFT): Aimed at families with adolescents who exhibit behavioural problems.

A therapist may combine elements from different forms of therapy to find an approach that best suits the family.

How effective is family therapy?

Research shows that family therapy is effective in many cases. According to the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy 73% of parents experience an improvement in their child's behaviour after therapy. Also, 90% of participants indicate that their emotional well-being improved after family therapy.

Case study family therapy

A family with a teenager who has regular conflicts with his parents decides to try therapy. During the sessions, the parents learn to listen better to their child's needs, while the teen learns to express his feelings in a constructive way. After a few sessions, they notice that tensions ease and communication improves.

When is family therapy a good choice?

Family therapy is not just for families in crisis. Instead, it can help deepen relationships and address small tensions before they become bigger. Some families choose to engage therapy as a way to improve their communication and become more in tune with each other, even before serious problems arise.

Want to find out which therapists offer family therapy? Check out our therapist directory and find the right counselling for your situation.