Family relationships are often reasons for the biggest conflicts in life. Most of them are complicated and can last for decades. In the case of many, the steady flow of personality clashes and unresolved conflicts leave long-lasting feelings of bitterness and resentment. But there is a hopeful solution- family therapy.
Family therapy or counselling is an inclusive and collaborative process that focuses on the family unit. Family therapists are skilled in dealing with different kinds of conflicts, whether it includes estrangements, communication issues, divorce, financial problems, abuse by a member or a death in the family.
Family counselling is a tough task. Dealing with problems of an individual is challenging enough but add one or more persons to the counselling session, and the scenario can become unmanageable. In the case of some companies, family therapy is offered as part of organisational psychology Melbourne.
This is true of the case when family units seek mental health services, whether as new parents, couples or families facing sibling conflicts. The therapist has to consider the mental and emotional complexities of one person and then regard the multiplication of such issues to other family members in the counselling session.
Though counsellors wish to understand the dynamics of the whole family, they may find themselves struggling to gain control, when personal attacks and bickering tend to dominate the process.
Most of the time, families come to counselling sessions with their dynamics as well as communication and interaction methods which may not suit the productivity of counselling sessions. The responsibility of the counsellor is to diffuse the explosive emotions in the counselling session by making use of strategies that aid the family to reach mutual understanding and closure.
Counsellors must not only be equipped with tools to handle tough family sessions but must also learn to adapt to the emergence of interpersonal dynamics. Every family has its distinctive dynamics that may appear to intensify or reduce as per individual members.
Steps for an Effective Therapy
A typical session of family counselling Bendigo lasts for around an hour. This is a short time to work through a lot of issues involving multiple persons. For maximum exploitation of the time with the therapist, the following tips will be useful:
- Do adequate preparation before the session. Every family member must jot down issues or questions that they would like to discuss.
- Family members must remain respectful and assertive.
- They must speak calmly.
- They must try not to argue.
The family members maybe worried that the family will never solve long-enduring conflicts. However, experience has proven that this is not the case. With proper restraint, open communication and empathy, the family can re-affirm its bonds and sort out old hurts and disagreements.
How to direct the counselling sessions?
- Permit Family Dynamics to Play Out on Their Own
Especially in the first session, it is good to permit family relationships and structures to emerge naturally. It is a fact that appearances can deceive. An introduction can seldom realize complicated issues among family members. The counsellor must try to set aside the demographics and socio-economic status of the patients, which might otherwise lead to generalizations and assumptions.
It is good to ask questions in family counselling Bendigothat may guide the conversation in a general path and assume control over the session. Still, counsellors must avoid trying to provoke reactions that serve their agendas. On the contrary, permit family members to interact with each other. The session must be designed like a family dinner table where the most authentic picture of factors impacting disagreements and fights start to emerge.
For instance, trouble making adolescents may not be antagonistic towards parents but at themselves. Such insights may be revealed through multiple sessions and allowing the family dynamics to play out over its own may be most useful.
- Avoid Taking Sides
The counsellor must take the leadership role in family therapy sessions. But this fact may come for assault in many ways. One family member may construe an ethical action taken by the counsellor as a means to hurt, expose or target him. The counsellor has to walk a fine line while dealing with families.
For instance, there is a situation where one family member has a complaint against another, and the counsellor asks a question that seems to take the side of the latter. The aggrieved family member may jump to the fast conclusion that the counsellor is taking sides.
The solution for this situation is that of the counsellor deliberately avoiding situations in which he might be perceived as being manipulative. He must ask the right questions and allow events to unfold in the family naturally.
These are some tips for why and how to use family therapy to solve family problems. This service may also be offered as part of organisational psychology Melbourne for employees.