Family therapy therapist
Family therapy works with the whole system, not just one person.
Therapists specializing in family therapy. See which cities we cover and what a session costs.
Where to find family therapy therapists
Frequently asked
When is family therapy needed rather than individual therapy?
Family therapy is indicated when the problems show up in the interactions between members: conflict, broken communication, children struggling at school because of tension at home. Individual therapy suits problems that belong to one person — anxiety, untreated depression.
Who attends family sessions?
The therapist decides that with you — sometimes everyone, sometimes only the parents, sometimes just the teenager and one parent. The composition changes over the course of treatment depending on the goals. Children under 5 rarely take an active part.
Does it work if one member refuses to come?
Partly. Family therapy with absences is called indirect systemic therapy — changing one member changes the dynamic of the whole system. Less effective than having everyone present, but not futile.
How long does it take?
Typically 8-16 sessions for specific problems, such as teenager-parent conflict or settling in after a family reunites. For systems with chronic dysfunction, 6-12 months. Shorter than individual therapy would be if the same problems were addressed person by person.
Is what we say confidential?
Yes — the therapist shares nothing outside the family. Between members there are nuances: the therapist may hold individual sessions with each of you, under clear rules about what stays confidential and what comes back to the joint session. Those rules are agreed in the first session.