Family relationships are complicated. Look at Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt — the stunning movie star parents of six children — three adopted and three biological. The Jolie-Pitt family might look perfect from the outside. Flash forward to 2020, and they’re wrapping up a five-year custody battle. Today, they’re reportedly struggling to co-parent their six children.
Maybe you can relate to the famous family’s difficulties. Maybe not. The point is that every family has its issues. Whether your family’s troubles are situational or sustained, it’s essential to address them before they become more toxic over time. Working with a family therapist or counselor can help you work through your issues as a unit.
One common misconception about marriage and family therapy is that you should only seek help once you’re experiencing what feels like an unsolvable issue. The reality is that family counselors and therapists can help with a wide range of issues, from minor disagreements to significant problems.
At Thriveworks Counseling in Ogden, UT, our licensed mental health professionals are here to help you navigate problems as a family and address issues both big and small. Call our office today to set up your first appointment.
Should My Family Work With a Therapist or Counselor?
Most people believe that family conflicts are typical. This is partially true, but this belief can cause people to push aside serious concerns and fail to address their issues with family members. Ignoring concerns can lead to unresolved issues and long-term resentment. Maybe your mother is your best friend, but you’re struggling to establish healthy boundaries. Or maybe your children are opposed to you dating again after the loss of a parent.
One family member’s behavioral problems can create a ripple effect on your family’s system, and in turn, your family dynamics. Approaching such dilemmas with a licensed professional can help alleviate tension, address issues healthily, and provide a safe environment for you to solve problems as a unit.
There are many situations where family therapy can help, including
- Childhood abuse or trauma
- Emotional needs
- Separation, divorce, or remarriage
- Blended family dynamics
- Interracial, intercultural family dynamics
- Multigenerational living
- Unresolved grudges or long term conflicts
- Substance abuse
- Mental or physical illnesses
- Loss of a loved one
- LGBTQ issues
- Major life transitions
Every family experiences growing pains, whether due to extenuating circumstances or life changes. Sometimes it can feel like you’re alone, even when your entire family is dealing with the same concerns like the health and safety of a loved one or the transition to multigenerational living. Attending therapy or counseling sessions altogether can serve as an opportunity to work through your shared issues and grow closer as a family unit.
If you’re ready to take the next step, consider setting up an appointment with one of our mental health professionals at Thriveworks Counseling in Ogden, UT.
What Can I Learn in Family Therapy?
Every family is as unique as its members — meaning that every member has their own perspectives and challenges. A licensed professional will take the time to observe how each family member interacts with one another, evaluate each person’s concerns, and provide tools to address and combat withstanding conflicts. A mental health counselor can:
- Guide clients through transitional periods such as the loss of a loved one or divorce
- Call attention to harmful behavioral or relational patterns
- Diagnose psychological disorders and treat them within a family context
- Offer a safe space to discuss and resolve unaddressed traumas
Licensed mental health professionals will assess what type of family counseling is right for you. Therapy or counseling sessions may differ from family to family and week to week, but the same learning goals tend to apply to most family systems. Throughout family counseling, every family can learn how to:
- Enhance communication
- Establish healthy boundaries
- Better understand and appreciate one another
- Reduce conflict and improve problem-solving skills
- Mitigate harmful behavioral patterns
Every family member deserves to feel heard, understood, and valued. At Thriveworks Counseling, we appreciate your shared and individual experiences. Our licensed professionals in Ogden, UT, hope to assist your family on its path to healing.
Schedule a Family Therapy Session at Thriveworks in Ogden, UT
If your family is ready and willing to participate in family counseling, consider working with one of our mental health professionals at Thriveworks in Ogden, UT. We know finding the right provider is a massive hurdle for many clients. To put your mind at ease and make the process as stress-free and accessible as possible, Thriveworks Counseling offers and accepts:
- Most major insurance carriers
- Evening and weekend sessions
- Online counseling, by phone and video
- Flexible rescheduling and cancelations
- Access to providers between sessions
- Ultra-flexible cancellations
- Same or next-day appointments
We’d love to assist you on your journey to a healthy and happy family. To get started with a Thriveworks counselor in Ogden, UT, give us a call to be connected with one of our scheduling specialists today!
