Family therapy is considered an integral part of treatment at ECS Psychological Services, P.C. This can often be used in conjunction with individual therapy or couples counseling. Utilizing the family system in treatment provides the therapist and the family the opportunity to view the whole system and to gain access into unhealthy familial patterns. It can also help families identify the various roles they play within the family structure, and can help them navigate through difficult life changes, such as the death of a loved one, the loss of a job, or dealing with a family member’s mental or physical illness.
Therapy can help families develop better communication skills, thus improving the quality of family interactions as a whole. Additionally, it can teach families successful conflict resolution skills. Treating one individual alone may not always be beneficial, as the whole family needs to change and adjust as well. Thus treating one member of the family and not taking into consideration the effects on the whole family can, at times, sabotage treatment. There may be times when family therapy is not indicated and this would be determined on a case-by-case basis. There may also be times when the whole family is not in agreement to participate in treatment. This should not prevent those interested members of the family from seeking treatment and learning new skills to use within the family system.
