Family Therapy
What is Family Therapy?
Family therapy is a specialized type of group therapy. The term ‘family’ is defined as a group of people that care about each other and call themselves family; this can include parents, children, grandparents, siblings, extended family or caregivers. The goal of family therapy is to create understanding, support and unity. We hope to help each member of the group feel understood and in turn, heard and supported.
The process aims to create stronger bonds and relationships. When the family is strong, it helps promote the well being of each individual.
This type of therapy can be instrumental when families feel overwhelmed or stuck in cycles of stress. Also, when a family is facing big changes, whether it is divorce, death or moving, therapy can help smooth the transition. Also, when there are issues with trauma, mental health or substance abuse it often affects the whole unit and working together can have an exponential positive effect. At Canoe Therapy, we also see Family Counselling as an effective medium for helping improve a wide range of issues related to parenting.
How Does Family Therapy Work?
Family therapy helps family members understand each other and work through difficult feelings in a safe space. This type of therapy focuses on improving the interactions and communication between family members. It is usually used when the family is contributing to a person’s difficulties or when one person’s problems are impacting other family members. When each person feels supported and works within their strengths, positive changes in relationships and in people’s lives will hopefully result.
Family therapists may:
- Talk about each person’s goals and hopes.
- Encourage everyone to talk about their own experiences and listen to each other.
- Clarify each person’s beliefs, values, needs, hopes and assumptions so that everyone understands each other.
- Help families stop blaming each other and begin exploring how everyone can work together to make positive changes.
- Help people understand the impact of their words and behaviours on other members of the family.
- Help families talk about the challenges they’re facing.
- Support families as they work through their own goals.
Who can Family Therapy benefit?
Family therapy can benefit family members of any age who are facing various experiences and challenges, including those who are:
- Seeking a closer relationship.
- Facing challenges, such as mental or physical illnesses.
- Worried about their children’s behaviour.
- Interested in fostering or adopting children.
- Getting a divorce or separation.
We use a wide range of therapeutic techniques to achieve your unique goals and help to foster positive change. Our approach includes:
- Cognitive Behaviour Therapy
- Satir’s Growth Model
- Solution Focused Therapy
- Narrative Therapy
- Gottman’s Sound Relationship House
- Emotion-Focused Therapy