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Family is a word people use to refer to those related to us by blood or those who feel closer than blood-related kin. The bond is based more on love, respect, and appreciation than sharing the same last name. But conflicts and problems may arise in the happiest families as well, due to communication issues or differing views. Even if the hurdles appear insurmountable and irksome due to one’s proximity to family members, they must be overcome and resolved. And that is when it is ideal to seek help from a mental health professional and get family therapy. It is important to destigmatize and explain family therapy before highlighting its benefits.
What is Family Therapy?
Family therapy is a kind of psychotherapy that improves communication between family members and reduces friction and conflict between them while discovering healthy forms of expression. However, it is not as easy as it sounds. Once all the family members are in a room and a conversation gets heated, it is up to the professionalism of the therapist present to temper and use the outburst to bring about self-reflection. Family therapy is about opening each member to the other’s perspective and focusing on solving problems together, instead of blaming an individual for their flaws. Unlike popular misconceptions, family therapy does not mean any member of the family is ‘mentally unfit’ or ‘abnormal’ nor that the family has ‘genetic problems. Instead, it is an extremely healthy and mature way of resolving problems and improving family cohesion.
Reasons For Family Therapy
- If Your Child Is Bullied at School, Has Substance Abuse Issues, Or Suffers from Eating Disorders and Body Image Issues.
- Death In the Family
- Domestic Violence
- Divorcing Parents
- Parental Arguments
- Major Accident or Natural Disaster
- Birth Of New Sibling
- Relatives Moving In
- Moving Away to A New Place
- Digital And Technology Overuse
Benefits of Family Therapy in Improving Mental Health
Since a child’s happiness and mental health are connected to the well-being and acceptance of their parents, here is a list of benefits of family therapy that are crucial for improving their mental health.
1. Develops And Maintains Healthy Boundaries
Family therapy teaches the virtues of consistency and maintaining healthy boundaries. With your children growing up and your teenagers maturing faster, parents must enforce their own boundaries, while following reasonable ones set by their kids.
2. Improves Communication
Family therapy opens the floor for communication and teaches family members how to communicate their feelings without shouting, blaming, or losing their temper. Since most individuals take family members for granted when it comes to communication, this point imparts a lot of light on hidden issues and clears the air between most family members.
3. Enhances Family Bonding
Family therapy makes the social unit work on their issues together and emerges more tightly knit than ever. It is no magic but the simple act of clearing the clutter in one’s daily life to look at things from a unique perspective and see them as they are. As a result, family members also see each other for who they are instead of who they wish they were and grow closer.
4. Increases Understanding and Empathy
Family therapy is conducive to mental health for a reason. With a mental health professional present, individuals, parents, or kids, are forced to keep their prejudices aside and listen to one another better. This increases understanding and inculcates a sense of empathy in all members for one another, resulting in a kinder, more loving family.
5. Reduces Conflicts and Fights
Since family therapy improves communication, listening skills, empathy, and understanding in kids as well as their parents, it plays a big role in reducing fights and conflicts. Most people are often so lost in the small details and flaws that they fail to look at the bigger picture or the blessing that accompanies it. Family therapy helps each member look at the bigger picture and automatically opt for understanding and peace.
6. Teaches Healthy Coping Mechanisms
An important benefit of family therapy in improving mental health is the healthy coping mechanisms it teaches the young and mature alike. Stress affects all, but many people fail to cope well with it, lashing out at others, including kids. Resorting to journaling, going for a run, or taking a conversation timeout is ideal for dealing with anger and stress healthily.
7. Sets Realistic Goals and Expectations
Family therapy makes parents aware of the skills and limitations of their kids, making them set realistic and more likable goals and expectations. If your kid is artistic, do not force them to be an engineer, or if your kid is into makeup, do not forcefully admit them to sports.
Conclusion
Family therapy is of many times, but the main thing is identifying your family’s needs and giving it a try. Though it is more common in families with older teens, it is ideal for parents with younger kids to go for a session or two before puberty to get a better grasp on parenting and strengthening family bonds.
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The views expressed are that of the expert alone.
