Family therapists view the family as a system that develops patterns of interaction among members. The patterns that develop can either support the health and wellbeing of its' members, or often unintentionally, have negative effects on one or more members. Relational therapy can help to identify the problematic patterns that play out and help restore the healthy functioning of family relationships.
Relational therapy can be effective for a range of issues, including:
parenting and co-parenting
child and adolescent mental health
grief and loss
parent-child conflict
conflict between adult siblings or between adult children and their parents
adjusting to changes in family structure (separation/divorce, stepfamily transitions, relationships with in-laws)
navigating changing boundaries among family members
reconciliation after a cut off or rupture in the relationship between members
families affected by mental illness, addiction or trauma
We can support families who are at any point in the family life cycle, from families with young children and across the life span into older adulthood.
Some ways that family therapy may be beneficial include:
de-escalating stressful interactions
identifying misperceptions and building awareness and understanding
fostering a more secure attachment between members
teaching skills for healthy communication and regulating emotions
supporting healthy transition through times of change
emotional processing of difficult events or experiences
What to Expect: your therapist will consult with you to identify the presenting issue and who should attend the first session. The 'assessment phase' is typically 2-3 sessions and typically includes a conjoint session with family members, as well as individual meeting time with different members. This helps your therapist gain an understanding of the family's relationship functioning and each person's perspective and goal for therapy.
Session Length & Cost: relational sessions are typically longer than individual sessions, with the typical session length ranging from 60 to 80 minutes. The cost for family sessions are $140 for 60 minutes, plus $20 for each additional 10 minutes.