Family Therapy
Family therapy can help families work towards the change they wish to see in a safe, non- judgmental environment. Here at Red Willow Counseling & Recovery, we give you all a space to say how you feel, to hear each other, and to be heard. We can help you to identify behaviors that could use work and assist you in learning the necessary skills so that you and your family can heal and be better equipped to work through future challenges as a functional unit.
What Is Family Therapy?
Rather than focusing on an individual, family therapy works through issues with families. One member of the family isn’t the patient—the family unit as a whole is the patient .No one is singled out and everyone gets the chance to speak their truth. The therapist can help to clarify what people were saying and provide guidance and helpful exercises that can teach you the skills you need in order to deepen your family connections, even after you are no longer in therapy together.
Family therapy can be done by itself or alongside another type of mental health therapy, such as if a family member is currently in rehabilitation. There are several different types of family therapy as well, each approach focusing on helping people in a different way. Sometimes, family therapy is combined with addiction recovery services or with treatment plans for other emotional challenges, so that everyone involved can grow together rather than in isolation.
Common Issues Addressed
Some common issues that people go to family therapy for include:
- Strained family relationships
- Communication issues
- Behavioral problems
- Coping with the illness of a family member
- The death of a loved one
- Divorce/relationship issues
- Sudden changes, like unemployment or a move
- Stressful events or life transitions
- Trauma
Family therapy can also help when:
- A family member has a mental health condition, such as an eating disorder
- A family member is neurodivergent
- A family member is struggling with substance abuse
- And more
Many families come in when their lives feel overwhelmed by complex emotions—grief, frustration, guilt, or uncertainty. A supportive environment can make those emotions feel less isolating and give each member tools to navigate them in healthy ways.
What Are The Benefits Of Family Therapy?
Family therapy can be uncomfortable as people speak their truths and you work through your issues in order to become a stronger unit. The skills that people learn throughout family therapy are ones that they can carry with them throughout their lives.
Family therapy offers many benefits, such as:
- Understanding each other better
- Learning healthy coping skills
- Improving troubled relationships
- Helping families cope with issues such as illness, grief, and stress
- And more
Families often discover that they are more resilient than they realized. When they engage in therapy mental health practices, such as active listening, emotional regulation, and boundary-setting, they can feel more grounded and hopeful. These skills also benefit individuals who may be walking through personal struggles with anxiety, depression, or recovery from addiction.
What Is Family Therapy Like?
Family therapy is typically short-term, only lasting approximately 12 sessions. Each session lasts about 50 minutes. Depending on your family’s situation and what you are going to family therapy for, your family may need more or fewer sessions than this. Your therapist will be able to give you an idea about how many sessions you and your family should plan on attending.
Depending on your goals and situation, not all family members may be present at each session. Your therapist will work closely with you in order to ensure that your experience is as healing and productive as possible. In some cases, this requires everyone to be there, in others, some people may not need to be present.
During therapy, you can work on things such as:
- Exploring family roles, behaviors, and rules that contribute to conflict and resolution
- Identify your family’s strengths and weaknesses
- Work on your family’s ability to resolve conflicts in a healthy, productive manner
It is important to note that while family therapy can greatly improve your family dynamics, people must be willing to put in the work for it to be effective. Family therapy also is not a cure; it won’t be able to prevent your family from ever having struggles again. However, when future struggles do arise, you and your family will be able to work through them together in a more effective way.
Building Resilience Across Generations
One of the unique strengths of family therapy is that it can create change that lasts for generations. When parents and caregivers model healthy communication, emotional awareness, and problem-solving, children often carry these lessons into adulthood. This can break cycles of conflict or silence that may have existed for years. Family therapy also gives space to talk about values, traditions, and shared goals, helping each member feel anchored in something bigger than themselves.
For families who may live apart or face barriers to attending in person, options like mental health therapy online can be combined with family sessions to keep everyone included. In addition, some families may explore alternative mental health therapy approaches, such as art therapy, mindfulness practices, or outdoor experiences, alongside traditional sessions. Each of these tools supports the shared goal of building healthier relationships and deeper understanding.
A Path Toward Healing Together
When families seek help, it is often because they are longing for peace, understanding, or a way forward when everything feels uncertain. At Red Willow Counseling & Recovery, we believe that no matter how long conflict has been present, change is possible. Through therapy for mental health, your family can learn to recognize unhelpful patterns, work with rather than against your emotions, and nurture stronger bonds that last well beyond your sessions.
Whether you are facing the impact of loss, working through complex emotions, or supporting a loved one through addiction recovery, family therapy provides a safe foundation for growth. Together, we will help you build skills that promote patience, compassion, and connection. Healing does not mean eliminating all challenges—it means having the tools and confidence to meet them with grace and unity.
