Couple or Family Counselling – When One Person Comes
Family is the most important emotional system we have, it helps shape who we are and determines the course of our lives.
Family counselling aims to address psychological, emotional, and behavioural issues that can cause problems within the family. The “ who, what, when, where, and how” of family patterns and themes are emphasized instead of the “why” of individual motivation.
Cutting off your relationship with a family member, such as a parent or sibling by physically or emotionally distancing yourself will not solve any problems, in fact, they generally intensify them.
The most effective way to approach family counselling is by following the ideas from family systems theory. This theory suggests that families work in systems, rather than having a group of people with each functioning independently of each other.
Therapy With One Person vs. Traditional Therapy
Family system therapy focuses on exploring an individual’s problems in a systemic context and how they relate to the inner workings of relationships.
Instead of solving issues by attending therapy as a family, a systemic therapist usually works with the most motivated and functional family member. This person will be the one who takes action and changes their part in the family process.
The sessions will teach individuals how to think and plan when a difficult situation arises, although most of the work is done outside the sessions. Each family member will work with one another to better understand their group dynamic and how their actions affect each other and the family as a whole.
Communication is key when it comes to solving any issues that arise between couples. Learning to listen and think before taking action will help couples approach problems in a healthier, more productive way.
Having each partner work individually to identify what changes need to be made personally will strengthen the relationship and prevent future arguments from getting out of hand.
By dissecting and understanding how the family operates and what behavioural and emotional patterns exist, members can resolve their problems.
Benefits of Family Systems Therapy
Each family has their own set of issues to deal with, making the benefits of family coaching differ for each household.
With the help of a systemic family therapist, individuals can benefit in the following ways:
⁃ Developing and improving communication skills
⁃ Improving listening and conversation skills
⁃ Strengthening the family’s problem-solving abilities
⁃ Providing healthy coping tools
⁃ Learning to respect boundaries and to think before reacting
Changes in one family member will influence changes in other family members, creating a healthy and well-functioning family dynamic.
Family Counselling at Capital Choice
Counselling provides a safe environment for family members to express themselves and explore strategies to build healthy relationships.
Family systems therapy has been known to help individuals and couples better control and cope with a variety of mental health disorders such as depression, anxiety, personality disorder and addiction.
Our professional family therapists have the training and expertise to help you strengthen your family bonds and develop essential communication skills.
Reach out to us today to learn more about how family systems therapy can help you and your family.