Family therapy helps families who are experiencing conflict or stress find harmony again. Sometimes the relationship between family members does not go well. By family members we mean not only the nuclear family (father, mother and children), but also grandparents, uncles, cousins, brothers-in-law and all the people who make up the family tree.
Conflicts may not have an exact reason, such as a fight, an undeceived inheritance, and a long-standing feud. Family couselling Melbourne can simply arise from differences in personalities and opinions. In this case, it is more difficult to calm the parties involved because they are not always able to see their problematic behaviors.
This type of therapy emerged, then, to identify the points of friction in the relationship between family members and find quick solutions to make everyone’s life more joyful.
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How Does Family Therapy Work?
Sessions take place in groups and family members are encouraged to talk about their disturbances. Dialogue is the main tool of therapeutic care. While one manifests, the other patiently listens.
The exercise of empathy is encouraged so that one understands the other’s point of view and is able to change their behavior.
The session can be done either on chairs arranged in a circle or on a comfortable sofa. The family will choose the way they feel most comfortable to interact. In the first meeting, the therapist will only explain how the therapy works and will question the motivation of each family member to be present.
Then the work begins. Slowly, the family begins to open up and share frustrations, impasses and desires. It is frightening for many to talk about problems openly, especially with people who are involved in them or may even be the cause of emotional distress. Fear and anxiety can be obstacles to sincere dialogue.
This concern is a common feature of family therapy, the main aim of which is to help people feel more comfortable with themselves and with their family members. By understanding their role in the family structure, each person becomes able to take responsibility for their mistakes.
Why do Family Therapy?
Some families may be afraid of judgments from others and may desist from asking for help. Naughty words like “you should be able to take care of your family” or “they’re a bunch of crazy people” undermine the confidence of those who are thinking about seeking professional help.
There is still the idea that family problems must be resolved at home. To some extent, this statement is correct. Nobody likes to expose their privacy, right? However, when the family fails to cultivate a life free of impasses, the case becomes serious.
The problems that exist in the family environment today are likely to have roots in the past. Disagreements that lasted for years on end and made coexistence unbearable.
It is not uncommon for a relative only to forgive the other at the end of life. Is it worth spending so much time with someone who should be close?
Not everyone can deal with problems in the privacy of the home. Some situations are extreme and exhausting, shaking the emotions of all family members. Why not seek help to ease the burden and still find a healthy way to deal with the problem?
If you’re still unconvinced, check out some good reasons to go into family therapy with your specialist help child parent family counselling.
Strengthens Relationships
When we have an opportunity to speak honestly about what bothers us about the other person’s attitude, the bond of friendship and affection grows. It may seem contradictory, but it isn’t. By listening to the other with an open mind and heart, we can understand the other’s difficulties and understand them better.
It is common for children to keep secrets from their parents and vice versa. But certain things must not be kept secret. On the contrary, if feeling is involved, the skills of communicating cohesive and listening without judgment must be put into practice.
With family therapy, relationships are strengthened as they become more transparent and understanding.
To reach this level, however, the conversation can be painful and emotional. It is a necessary step towards alleviating family afflictions.
Release the Past
The hidden pains in the past have a big impact on the present, even if we can’t see them. Children, in particular, tend to feel parental remorse for mistakes made in childhood and adolescence. They realize that they have not been loved, understood or protected as they would like, and this creates conflict.
Even when the relationship between father and son is wonderful and super healthy, a small resentment can still reside inside.
Of course, parents can resent their children for other reasons as well. But the bottom line is that people tend to let the past slip away in the heat of the moment, causing unnecessary arguments and fights.
They act on past experiences, expecting the same behavior that made them mad before, and point out the mistakes of others as the cause of their unhappiness.
Therapy works on past hurts, opening space for healing and building a relationship based on the present. In this way, husband and wife cease petty arguments that never come to an end, children forgive parents and vice versa, siblings interact better, and so on.
