Family therapy treats the family system rather than focusing on one individual. Family therapy can help when family dynamics contribute to or are affected by mental health issues.
When family therapy helps
- Adolescent eating disorders (Family-Based Treatment)
- Adolescent substance use
- Adolescent depression and behavior issues
- Major life transitions
- Family conflict
- Caregiving issues
- Communication problems
- Grief affecting family
Types of family therapy
Structural family therapy: Focus on family roles, boundaries, hierarchies.
Strategic family therapy: Solution-focused, problem-solving approach.
Bowen/transgenerational: Patterns across generations.
Family-Based Treatment (FBT): Specifically for adolescent eating disorders.
Functional family therapy: For adolescent behavior issues.
What to expect
- Multiple family members in sessions
- 60-90 minute sessions
- Examining family patterns
- Sometimes individual sessions also
- Homework between sessions
- Often 12-25 sessions
Who attends
Depends on situation:
- Parents and child
- Whole family
- Subsystem (parents, siblings)
- Extended family in some cases
Family-Based Treatment for eating disorders
Strong evidence for adolescent anorexia nervosa. Parents take charge of refeeding initially. Highly structured approach.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does everyone need to participate?
Ideally yes for full benefit. Therapist works with whoever attends.
Is family therapy effective?
Yes for many conditions, especially adolescent issues.
How is family therapy different from couples therapy?
Couples therapy focuses on two-person relationship; family broader.
Will my therapist take sides?
Should remain neutral. If feels biased, raise concern or change therapist.
Is family therapy covered by insurance?
Generally yes when indicated.
The bottom line on family therapy
Effective for family-related issues and certain individual conditions. Particularly evidence-based for adolescent eating disorders. Find experienced family therapist.