How Family and Couples Therapy Can be Beneficial
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Starting therapy can be scary for some, so kudos if you are already on the healing journey. Many people utilize individual therapy to learn how to use behavioral tools when emotionally triggered and have great results. But many times, triggers are strongly connected to a partner or family relationship. There are many benefits to choosing couples or family therapy over individual counseling or in conjunction with each other. If everyone is willing to consent to family counseling sessions, then positive changes in relationships and within one’s self can increase greatly. Let’s dig deeper into the pros of Couples or Family Counseling.
- Everyone can see the ‘big picture’ in relationships
- Behavioral Change can happen for Everyone
- Share responsibility for everyone’s actions
- Encourage each other
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Therapy isn’t one sided. If only one person’s perspective is presented, it can be hard to understand all the issues affecting the family dynamics. For example, a client comes in stating she is having a difficult time talking to her husband or that the relationship is strained. If you can also understand where the husband is coming from and what his thinking is, then the therapist is able to see the effect certain behaviors have in the relationship and can help the clients address them accordingly and implement appropriate tools.
Behavioral Changes Can Happen For Everyone within the Family
Not everyone is willing to change, and part of the healing journey is understanding how to change your perspective when others won’t change. But imagine when everyone is able to work on self issues? Let’s look at a strained mother/daughter relationship. Daughter says mom is overbearing. She learns how to respond to mom when she starts feeling the pressure. Mom says daughter is lazy and not willing to put in effort. She learns how to approach the situation differently. If both clients are willing to look at themselves and work on how to better communicate with each other AND learn to understand where the other’s perspective comes from, it can help the communication transition move more smoothly.
Learn to Share Responsibility and Hold Accountability
It is important to understand that everyone’s own family roles affect each other. Do you have a child or partner who is emotionally struggling? Counseling shouldn’t be set up for all expectations to land on one person’s shoulders. What if your adolescent or teen has agreed to counseling? You take them to their weekly appointment and are disappointed in the results. Why aren’t they changing? Why aren’t things improving? But if your teen sees you’re willing to show your vulnerability and hold your actions accountable, it can give motivation to want to also try and change. Build a strong relationship by working together and understanding how you can show appropriate interactions towards each other.
It’s important to acknowledge that every member of a family reacts differently when exposed to the same situations. When you are constantly exposed to certain situations, it ultimately affects you. Is one member in and out of rehab? Is there alcoholism or abuse involved? Maybe it’s as simple as a child constantly needing parents’ attention, taking it away from the other children. Everyone is affected, and even if they have a hard time expressing their feelings about the situation, it’s important they have a safe place to share.
Encourage Each Other
Sometimes loved ones don’t want to be alone in a counseling session, and that’s okay. Show you are there to be supportive in their mental health journey. You might be surprised by how much you learn about yourself! If you know someone is struggling but opposed to counseling, simply ask if they would like you to attend with them, and that might make the difference. It’s okay to ask for help, even if that means asking someone to be there with you.
Individual Counseling vs. Family Counseling
Remember, whether you do individual or family counseling, you are learning to take a stand for your mental health. Sometimes you have no choice but to do individual counseling and can still make leaps and bounds in your own well being. Sometimes a partner or family member is willing to join the journey. Many people choose to do both, having one therapist for individual sessions and another therapist to work with their partner or family member. Do what’s best for you!
Interested in individual or family counseling? Contact Healing First Counseling at office@healingfirstcounseling or by calling 817-506-3422
Completed your homework and ready to start? Give us a call today to get started! Still on the fence? Let us help and walk you through each step. You’ve got this!
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