What to Expect from Family Therapy Q&A

If you’re about to attend a family therapy session, it’s important to prepare yourself well in advance, as taking a few simple steps before your therapy session can help you get the most out of the experience. Below are some tips on how to prepare for a family therapy session:

● Set your intention. Before going to therapy, take time to think about your intention or goal. What do you hope to accomplish in the session? What specific problems or issues do you want to address?
● Communicate with your family. Discuss the upcoming therapy session with your family members and solicit their input. It’s also important to communicate any concerns or fears you may have about the therapy process.
● Gather important information. Family therapists may ask for information about your family’s history and past experiences, so gather any relevant documentation or records that may help the therapist better understand your family dynamics.
● Be open and honest. Your therapist will be able to better help you if you’re open and honest about your thoughts and feelings. Try to use “I” statements and avoid blaming other family members for issues or conflicts.
● Be willing to listen. Be willing to listen to what your family members are saying and try to understand their perspectives. It’s also important to be open to new ideas and solutions.
● Manage your expectations. Family therapy is not a quick fix, and it will take time and effort to make lasting changes.

Before going to therapy, think about the main issues affecting your family; this could be conflicts between family members, communication breakdown, or resentment. Identifying these issues will help you and your family therapist come up with a plan that will tackle these challenges.

Make sure to involve all members of your family in discussing the goals of your family therapy session. Talking about what you hope to achieve through counseling and sharing different perspectives will help to align everyone’s expectations and create a foundation for the sessions.

Family therapy sessions are designed to help family members resolve issues and improve their relationships with each other.

During a session, the therapist will identify key issues, encourage open communication, and guide the family in finding solutions that work for everyone. Some sessions may involve individual or group activities, such as role-playing or problem-solving exercises, to help bond individuals and create better communication overall.

At the end of the session, the therapist may assign homework for the family to work on until their next scheduled session. Overall, while family therapy can be challenging at times, it’s important to remain open and honest to achieve the best results.

The five stages of family therapy are:

1) Joining. The therapist establishes a positive relationship with each family member and the family as a unit, which involves building rapport, gathering information, and creating a safe space for everyone to express themselves.
2) Assessment. The therapist evaluates the family’s structure, communication patterns, and individual roles to identify problematic patterns or behaviors.
3) Goal setting. The therapist and family members determine the goals of therapy, which may include things like improving communication, resolving conflicts, addressing specific behavioral or mental health issues, and strengthening relationships within the family.
4) Intervention. The therapist works with the family to implement strategies and techniques to achieve the agreed-upon goals, such as communication skills training, role-playing exercises, and problem-solving techniques. The therapist may also provide individual counseling or refer family members to other mental health professionals if necessary.
5) Termination. When the family has successfully achieved their goals, therapy is concluded. This stage involves reviewing progress, revisiting goals, and providing ongoing support or follow-up resources if required.

If you’re considering family therapy, contact us the mental health professionals at Westfall Associates, or book online to schedule an appointment – our team would be happy to provide the exceptional service you need to get your family back on track. We are conveniently located at 919 Westfall Road Building B, Suite 60 Rochester, NY 14618. We serve patients from Rochester NY, Brighton NY, West Henrietta NY, East Rochester NY, Irondequoit NY, Greece NY and surrounding areas.