Family is Worth the Effort
Engaging in family therapy is a brave step toward creating a stronger and more supportive unit for all family members. Family therapy isn't just about solving a specific conflict. The ways of being together are created over time and become deep-rooted. These deep-rooted patterns of behaviour are often positive but can also create conflict, as families change, or face different life challenges. A skilled family therapist will help your family establish new patterns so that together you can manage future challenges effectively.
Sometimes, people are interested in family therapy in hopes of changing the behaviour of another family member. However, at the core of family therapy is an approach that considers the family itself as the client, not individual members. The therapist will help your family move away from conversations that point fingers at individual family members. A therapist will facilitate conversations in your family that ensure each voice is heard, understood, and valued. To be a strong family unit, each person's needs must be considered.
Since problems within the family affect everyone, ideally, the solutions involve everyone working together in the best interest of the whole family. A therapist's job is to create the conditions and facilitate this work, by getting everyone engaged. Family therapy is a commitment - to each other and your journey of growth. It requires openness, effort, and the willingness to explore and address feelings. The rewards, however, are a stronger, more connected family where each member feels supported and understood. That is worth the effort. And therefore, so is good family therapy!
