Family therapy is often a vital part of addiction and mental health treatment. It is a form of psychotherapy that combines multiple family members to support improved family relationships. The ultimate goal of family therapy is to leverage a better family structure to improve the situation related to mental health or substance misuse.
There are multiple types of family therapy. Depending on a family’s needs and preferences, different approaches may be more appropriate. Want to learn more about family therapy in California? Call Oceanfront Recovery at 877.279.1777 today to learn about our addiction treatment in Laguna Beach. Our family therapy program provides a supportive and nurturing environment for the entire family. We understand that the road to recovery is different for everyone, and our team of experienced addiction professionals will work with you to find the most effective treatment approach.
What Is Family Therapy?
Family therapy is a form of therapy that focuses on how the family unit positively or negatively impacts family functioning. The level of function influences how people in the family experience issues like mental health or substance misuse. Oftentimes, family therapy is short-term. It also tends to be used in conjunction with other therapies that are targeted to the individual who is experiencing a condition or issues.
Many different problems can be tackled using the support of family therapy. Some of these include:
- Mental health conditions
- Substance misuse
- Parenting issues
- Emotional or physical abuse
- Chronic health problems
- Divorce
The list is far from exhaustive. Any issue that affects a family unit is viable for discussion during family therapy.
Four Types of Family Therapy
Different types of family therapy can be applied to different situations. The most common types of family therapy include supportive family therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, psychodynamic ideas, and systemic family therapy. Each brings its own style and emphasis to addressing an issue within a family unit. Explore these four types of family therapy in more depth below.
Supportive Family Therapy
This type of family therapy focuses on helping individuals express their emotions regarding problems that affect the entire family. The therapist works to provide a safe, open environment for people to air their feelings and work through them without resorting to alienation or condemnation. Support family therapy often tends to be quite practical as well, with the therapist offering advice on how to remedy strained relationships or unhealthy boundaries that contribute to a current problem.
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy
Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) has been used for decades as a primary therapy for substance misuse and mental health conditions. Many people don’t think of this method in the context of family therapy, but it can be quite useful. When used in a family setting, CBT tries to modify the thoughts and behaviors expressed throughout a family group to reduce stress and create more functional relationships.
Psychodynamic Ideas
Psychodynamic ideas is a form of family therapy that delves into the unconscious of each family member. The purpose is to unearth the underlying causes of an existing problem. Once these root causes are identified, family members are able to work through a problem productively. This approach focuses on understanding the dynamic that exists between all family members, from both a conscious and unconscious perspective.
Systemic Family Therapy
Systemic family therapy attempts to view the family and how it functions as a system. Using a systems view means looking at the overarching dynamics that govern the way family members interact with each other. The therapist can then focus on tweaking the attitudes, behaviors, and relationships that influence the family system to produce a more positive structure.
Access Exceptional Family Therapy Options at Oceanfront Recovery
Oceanfront Recovery has years of experience helping families overcome issues that hold them back from proper functioning. Family is one of the most important things we have in life. Attending family therapy requires commitment and effort. But the pay-off is a lifetime of healthier, stronger relationships with the people closest to you. Whatever problems your family is currently struggling with, Oceanfront Recovery is here to help. Learn more about how Oceanfront Recovery implements the four types of family therapy by contacting 877.279.1777.
