Family Therapy

Family relationships
Family can be loving and supportive in certain times but they can also be the most challenging and aggravating experiences of our lives. We think we understand and know our family members but that can be because they are the people who formed our first understanding of how to relate to the world. Family loves us but they also installed the buttons that triggers us. Family can be the Yin and the Yang of life, they can create opportunities for wonderful joy as well as occasional deep pain. When those more painful times come, it is often helpful to turn to a professional that can help you threw this difficult time.

What is Family Therapy?
Family therapy helps families or individuals within a family understand and improve the way family members interact with each other and resolve conflicts. Family therapy is usually provided by therapists known as marriage and family therapists. These therapists provide the same mental health services as other therapists, simply with a specific focus — family relationships. Family therapy is often short term. You usually attend one session a week, typically for three to five months. In some cases, though, families may need more intensive treatment. The treatment plan will depend on your family's specific situation.

In general, anyone who wants to improve troubled relationships can benefit from family therapy. Family therapy can help with such issues as:

• Marital problems
• Divorce
• Substance abuse
• Depression or bipolar disorder
• Chronic health problems, such as asthma or cancer
• Grief, loss and trauma
• Work stress
• Parenting skills
• Emotional abuse or violence
• Financial problems

Before choosing a family therapist, you can ask lots of questions to see if he or she is the right fit for your family. Consider asking questions like these:

• Are you a clinical member of CAMFT, licensed by the state, or both?
• What is your educational and training background?
• What is your experience with my type of problem?
• How much do you charge?
• Are your services covered by my health insurance?
• Where is your office, and what are your hours?
• How long is each session?
• How often are sessions scheduled?
• How many sessions should I expect to have?
• What is your policy on canceled sessions?
• How can I contact you if I have an emergency?

Starting therapy with a family therapist can be one of the best things you do when your family is torn apart. You can heal emotional wounds, come to understand one another better and restore a sense of harmony you may not have felt for a long time.