How is family therapy helpful for families who are experiencing difficulties?

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   Purpose Embracedposted 11 years ago

   How is family therapy helpful for families who are experiencing difficulties?
   
   Family therapists identify how dysfunctional interactions cause problems in families, and try to address them.
   
   In what ways do you think family therapy could help struggling families?.
   
   

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2. 76

   CraftytotheCoreposted 11 years ago

   Here's just my take on the whole thing.  While I do think some families benefit from family therapy if they choose to seek it out, I think there has become a stigma in society today.
   
   When my son was diagnosed with Autism, I had the most ridiculous hard time finding a therapist who would work with him.  1)  most therapists do not work with children in my area.  2)  most therapists aren't trained to work with Autism and sensory issues. 
   
   I spent months searching for a therapist for my son with the help of a case manager from his insurance company.  We called everyone on the insurance approved list together.  Out of everyone listed there, only 2 would actually take him as a patient.  One said that he would need to go 3x a week during school hours.  The school said no way, he needed to be in school.  Then the second one would see him but was such a busy office that it was hard to get a regular appointment, and insurance wouldn't cover it.  We finally found a therapist that would see my son, but it took a very long time.  (One group of therapists referred us to family therapy and said they didn't recognize Autism at all.)
   
   It's been a huge struggle but I plugged through it all and my son is much better off now.  His current therapist also meets with me individually and my daughter, and at times, all of us together.  She really helps us understand what my son's viewpoint is and how we can establish more structure and routine as well as how to handle crisis mode when he has meltdowns.
   
   I think the stigma comes from two directions.  1)  Families feel threatened by having other people in their business.  2) Not all therapists are right for each family.  It takes a really special relationship between therapists and families to build trust and understanding.  Finding that therapist is the key to successful therapy, as well as the willingness of the participants.

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   1. 83

      Purpose Embracedposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Wow, you really had a difficult experience! I'm glad you found a therapist to work with your family, and your son is doing better. I agree that you have to find the right therapist, and building trust is vital to the process. Thanks for sharing.

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3. 0

   greeneyes1319posted 11 years ago

   I think that a family therapists can help a family that is struggling, also it depends on what they are struggling with. If you and the family are honest with what is wrong and truly what the problem is and with themselves then they should be able to work it out with a therapists there. A therapists is just a neutral licensed person there to listen and make sure things don't get out of hand. I went to family therapy as a child. I think it helped me later on in life. It does not always help every single family member but if you keep a open mind and be truly honest no matter if you think it is going to hurt someone that your close to. I think it will eventually help someone yourself or in the family.

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   1. 83

      Purpose Embracedposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks for your comments and for sharing your own experiences with family therapy.

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