Supporting Families Through Thick and Thin
There are times in a child?s life where a sensitive professional is best suited for helping them weather the storm. Whether it?s divorce, developmental or behavioral disorders or strife that is affecting your child, the knowledgeable Family Therapists at Rochester Regional Health?s Adolescent Family Therapy Program offer support, assistance, and a trained ear.
What is Family Therapy?
Helping and supporting a troubled adolescent or teen is not easy. Parents may disagree about what has caused the problems and how to respond to them. Siblings may resent the attention their brother or sister is receiving, which can lead to rifts. Family therapy is an incredibly effective way to help troubled teens and their families.
Not only does involving the entire family in therapy help with issues between family members, but it can also show the family how to support and relate to the teen, help each family member learn how to change unhealthy reactions, and build effective communication skills.
Studies show that family therapy is a quick and effective way to identify problem areas and treat the underlying causes.
What happens during family therapy?
Family therapy seeks to reduce or eliminate your child?s problem behaviors while improving overall family functioning in four main areas of life:
- Adolescent
- Parent
- Family
- Community
Your child?s primary therapist will work with them, with you and your spouse/partner, and with other family members. Therapy sessions will be conducted at the right intensity and duration for your child?s level of need. Using the four main areas of focus, your family?s treatment will focus on certain aspects of each area.
In the adolescent's domain, their therapist will help them engage in the treatment, communicate more effectively with their parents, develop coping mechanisms, work towards regulating their emotions, learn problem-solving skills, and improve social skills.
In the parent domain, your therapist will work with parents to engage in the treatment, work towards increasing their emotional and behavioral involvement with their children, improve parent skills, and address their responsibility as a parent.
The family domain may focus on communication, while at therapy, covering special situations and recurring problems to improve overall functioning.
The community domain builds on family competence and folding that into any groups, churches, or hobbies within their area.
Finding a Family Therapist
One size does not fit all for treatment, or for a therapist. It?s important that you, your adolescent, and your family find someone that you are comfortable opening up to. Many people ask friends for recommendations or speak with their primary care physician about who might be the best fit.
Make sure your therapist has specialized training in family therapy. A licensed clinical social worker or a marriage and family therapist has the experience and training to be an exceptional help.
In order for therapy to be successful and effective, the family needs to see their therapist as helpful, engaging, and knowledgeable. If they are not a good fit, you can ask them for referrals to others.