FAMILY THERAPY

Family therapy focuses on changes within a family, and recognizes that family relationships have an impact on the feelings and behavior of every family member. Instead of meeting with one individual, all or most family members are involved in the therapy process. In blended families, this may include stepparents, step-siblings and half-siblings. When children in blended families have adjustment problems, it may be helpful for all the parents and stepparents to work together in family therapy. But, this depends on the ability of the divorced parents to work together to help their children resolve psychological problems.

Family therapy is most frequently the treatment of choice when children or adolescents are identified as having difficulties within the family unit. However, family therapy is sometimes used when an adult family member has significant psychological problems, especially when those problems impact on other family members. For example, a parent with chronic depression or substance abuse problems might benefit from family therapy to address the impact of their problem on family relationships, while also receiving individual counselling to directly address their personal change issues.

With younger children, counselling will often combine individual, parent, and family therapy sessions. The parents may be seen to focus on behavior control, discipline procedures and or specific behavioral problems. The child may be seen to focus on self-control issues, self-esteem, and to teach social and coping skills. Family therapy sessions will focus on all family members having input into identifying problems and resolving them. Children are given support in voicing their issues to parents, and siblings are allowed to express opinions.

YORK COUNSELLING SERVICES

INDIVIDUAL THERAPY

COUPLES THERAPY

FAMILY THERAPY

FAMILY THERAPY