Deciding to attend therapy is a major decision, and family counseling is no exception. When your family is happy and healthy, it may seem like everything is perfect. Many people experience their happiest moments within a loving, stable, and healthy family unit.
Family is one of the most important connections that we can have with other people. Regardless, many families have their troubles, stresses, and conflicts. If you want to have a healthy and successful family unit, you need to comprehend and pinpoint the needs of each family member. The needs of every family member can be balanced with the welfare of the family as a whole. Family therapy is a special form of counseling that can assist in answering all of those personal and familial needs.
Anchor Therapy is a counseling center in Hoboken, NJ with psychotherapists specialized in helping children, teens, adults, and couples with anxiety, depression, relationship issues, trauma, and life transitions. Anchor Therapy is accepting new clients and is now providing in-person sessions and telehealth (video/phone) sessions to residents of New Jersey and New York.
A family therapist or a family counselor can be a great asset to every family of any size.
Some people may be quick to view family therapy as a failure or defeat, but that is farthest from the truth. Deciding to partake in family counseling is a step in the right direction. You are taking control of your situation, and trying your best to make your family unit work successfully.
In family counseling, your licensed family therapist will teach you specific tools to help your unique situation.
In family therapy, you can learn to:
Communicate effectively
Use discipline in a constructive way
Relate to each other
Work through issues in a healthy manner
Express your feelings and needs
Set and respect boundaries
Increase respect and empathy within your family unit
Every family is different, so your reasons for wanting to attend family therapy will differ.
Some common reasons why families may decide to start family counseling include:
Divorce
Parents who have difficulties/concerns raising children
Feeling overwhelmed with marital or parental responsibilities
Parent conflict
Domestic violence
Job loss
The unexpected or traumatic loss of a family member or friend
When a child is having problems at school, substance abuse, or disordered eating
Adjustment to a new family member (e.g., the birth of a sibling, adoption)
A major trauma or change that affects the family unit (e.g., moving to a new house, natural disaster)
And many more!
If your family is experiencing one or more of the following symptoms, beginning family counseling may be right for you if:
A family member is battling substance abuse issues
Your child’s behavior has changed at home and/or at school
A family member is expressing feelings of hopelessness or helplessness
A family member has extreme emotional reactions
A family member cannot function normally (e.g., experiencing energy drains)
Communication amongst the family unit is difficult
Family members no longer want to spend time with their family
The threat of violence or actual violence occurs to a family member
The family has experienced a traumatic event and does not have the necessary coping mechanisms to deal with it
Once you have identified the reason for attending family counseling, it is important to find a family therapist that best fits the needs of you and your family.
Many types of family units may especially benefit from family counseling. If you are thinking of attending family therapy, that in and of itself may be a good sign that it can be helpful for your unique family situation.
Some cases where family therapy can be useful are:
The Blended Family - A blended family can be defined as two families coming together as one. This can happen when one person has a child and marries another person with a child. It can also occur when one partner has a child and the other does not. Then, the couple may decide to have a baby together, creating a half-sibling dynamic. These types of families can be hard to navigate, especially when previous relationships are involved (e.g., the other biological parent of the child). Being a step-parent may also be a difficult role to transition into. Whatever your role is, your goal is most likely to have a peaceful family unit and home. Family therapy can be a great way to help create a comfortable family environment.
Feeling Alone In A Family - Every family member may want alone time at some point, and it is completely normal! Families can move in and out of phases of wanting to spend time together and wanting more free time to explore their interests. However, if you spot a family member who is continuously not engaging with the family, it may be a problem. For instance, your teenager may want to spend all of their time in their room and skip out on family dinners. People who withdraw from social situations may be experiencing depression or other mental health problems. It is important to seek a therapist who can address those issues, and help your family reconnect.
Having An Addict In The Family - Addiction does not discriminate- it can impact any family. Even if a family member outside of your immediate family is experiencing addiction issues, it can still affect you. Alcohol and drug abuse is not something that your family has to deal with alone. From intervention to rehabilitation services, a licensed mental health counselor can help your loved one fight addiction. Family therapy can offer every family member the chance to voice how the addiction is impacting them.
Choosing the correct therapist can be a time-consuming effort. Luckily, there are many ways to find your perfect match.
Ask your doctor - Family doctors can offer insight into your search for a family therapist. They can refer patients to qualified marriage and family counseling services. Family doctors will have great insight into which family therapists in your area best suit your needs.
Online referrals - An easy way to search for a family therapist in your area is to do an Internet search. You can use the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy’s website which offers an online counselor locator service.
Religious community - If you are affiliated with a religious community, you can ask your organization for suggestions. If you have a strong religious background, you may want to choose a counselor with the same faith.
Personal recommendations - Some of the best referrals come from word of mouth! There is nothing better than hearing from someone who has experienced the services first-hand.
Psychology Today- This is a psychology website that lists licensed therapists where you can sort by the area in which you live and by who specializes in family counseling.
At Anchor Therapy, we offer marriage and family counseling services in downtown Hoboken and online therapy (telehealth) for anyone who resides in NJ and NY. Whatever life challenges you and your family are going through, we are here to help! Deciding to attend marriage and family therapy is a big step, but it is a helpful and sometimes necessary step. Attending family counseling is a great way to expand your family’s resources to help you solve problems, communicate better, and much more!
Victoria Scala
is the Social Media Manager at Anchor Therapy in Hoboken, New Jersey. She is currently an undergraduate student at the Honors College of Rutgers University-Newark, looking to study Clinical Mental Health Counseling at the graduate level. As a Social Media Manager at Anchor Therapy, Victoria is committed to producing content for and managing the office’s social media presence and blog.
