A Family Therapist May Be the Answer – Here’s Why
Ultimately, the objective of a family therapist is to help improve the interaction between family members and create a better, healthier home environment. There are a vast number of triggers that can cause stress and conflict within families, and there are also many ways to face these and cultivate effective coping skills.
Now, families are vastly different from one another – both in terms of the individual personalities that make up the unit, as well as the structure of makeup of the unit itself. It is therefore important to note that there isn’t a singular approach or solution to the challenges faced by families. An experienced family therapist won’t ever expect families to fit into predetermined boxes, but rather help them to identify what is causing the issues they face, and how to develop the necessary skills to better understand each other and face the challenges together in a meaningful way.
Let’s take a look at some of these challenges that may cause a family to see a therapist (note that this is not an exhaustive list of reasons):
- Conflict among individuals
- Change in the family unit – such as a divorce or unfaithful partner
- Substance abuse
- Mental health issues
- Financial stress
- School problems
- Problematic child behaviour
- Providing care for someone with special needs
- Illness or death
How does a family therapist address these challenges?
Sessions will start with the therapist talking to all members to understand both what the issue at hand is, and how each person is interpreting and reacting to it. This will help to not only identify the root problem, but also the various conflicts or potential misunderstandings caused by the problem. It is important that these sessions are approached in a way that does not blame anyone or make anyone feel judged.
From here, treatment will be focussed on improving the way each one handles the conflict, and to help them understand why others react the way they do. Communication plays a huge role in this, and is often one of the most important factors in dealing with families who are experiencing trauma.
For therapy to be effective, it is important to find a family therapist that is qualified, professional and trusted by all members attending the sessions. This could be challenging. Dr Tienie Maritz is a qualified psychologist with more than two decades of experience. Feel free to get in touch with his office to find out if he is the ideal professional to help guide your family back to a healthier, happier state of being.
