Whether we like to admit it or not, all families face trying situations. These affect everyone, and exude quite a strain on the family structure as a whole.
At the Relationship Therapy Center, we’ve helped families traverse all sorts of challenges. Perhaps it’s a dynamic that exists within the home that’s steadily growing worse. Or maybe it’s a tragedy that occurred – an accident, say – or something equally shocking and swift.
This piece covers some of the big ways family counseling helps. How do you know if your family could benefit from family counseling? Keep reading.
There’s Been a Change in the Family Structure
What do divorce, remarriage, and a child leaving for college all have in common?
All these situations spell change. Life events like these lead to a shift in the household dynamic. New roles are established, and with those come new responsibilities and ways of being.
Children can find this especially challenging.
Family counseling gives them (and everyone else) a voice, and lets them know they are still just as safe and loved as they were before. Additionally, family counseling helps the family create new boundaries, rules, and structure that allows each individual to thrive, no matter where they are in life.
A Family Member is Struggling
Perhaps a child is struggling in school, and has some behavioral issues they’re challenged by. Or maybe a family member was diagnosed with something, and is undergoing surgery or other intensive treatments.
In cases like these, the instinct is to pour every ounce of energy into restoring the health and wellbeing of the person who needs it.
As a result, family members neglect themselves and the family unit as a whole.
Family counseling provides a much-needed outlet. It offers respite, and an opportunity for the family to remain united. It’s a safe space to open up and discuss fears and concerns. Through sharing, the unit remains intact. Each family member feels less alone, and doesn’t have to suffer the ramifications of sweeping feelings of discomfort, guilt, or whatever else under the rug.
There’s Been a Sudden Loss or Other Traumatic Event
A death in the family or sudden divorce can feel insurmountable and unmanageable, especially for children. Kids who are not provided with a way to grieve and assured they are not in any way responsible can subconsciously carry unprocessed wounds well into adulthood – without even fully being aware of how this is affecting and limiting their life.
Loss of a person or of what ‘once was,’ is a tough pill to swallow. Having guidance from an expert is an excellent way to help navigate the unthinkable. A therapist will help (and sometimes encourage) a family to properly grieve and move forward, without abandoning themselves or burying their pain.
When Things Get Hard
The truth is, there are many seasons in life that feel challenging, and any number of reasons where family counseling can help.
When left to their own devices, many people would rather ignore issues. Most of us come from generations of rug sweepers. There’s shame and other things in the past that leave us feeling yucky and unworthy, and thus we continue to push it down.
The truth shall set you free, as they say. Family therapy solidifies the family unit. It builds strong authentic lines of communication. It helps family members become more empathetic and compassionate with one another – especially across the span of generations – and teaches youngsters one of the most valuable lessons of all: How to connect with themselves, their needs, and their feelings, and articulate them all in a healthy way.
If your family has recently experienced a traumatic event, or perhaps your teenager is acting out and the stress and uncertainty is threatening to rupture the family unit, give us a call.
We offer therapy in Roseville and Fair Oaks, and want you to know that no matter what challenge you’re facing, our team of experts are here for you.
Begin Family Therapy in the Sacramento Area and Online in California
Your family deserves to find peace and healing. Our family therapists can help. Ultimately, we want to strengthen the relationships you have with each other and restore love and harmony in your family. To begin counseling at our Roseville or Fair Oaks counseling center or online in the state of California please follow these simple steps:
- Contact our office to get more information about family counseling and to schedule a free consultation,
- Make an appointment with one of our caring therapists,
- Find support and healing in your relationship!
Other Services offered at The Family Therapy Center:
In addition to family therapy Our Sacramento based counseling clinics located in Roseville and Fair Oaks, CA and online in the state of California are pleased to offer a variety of counseling services. Our relationship therapy services include: Counseling after infidelity, sex therapy, co-parent counseling, divorce counseling, and premarital counseling. Our individual counseling services include, anxiety treatment, trauma therapy, addiction counseling, codependency counseling, counseling for grief and loss, depression treatment, teen therapy, therapy for children, and individual relationship counseling. Please contact our office to learn more about the many ways we can help you and your loved ones.