Family Therapy
Family Therapy
Family therapy is a form of Psycho-therapy in which the focus of therapy is on the family as a whole and not just on one specific individual. The ‘client’ in family therapy is the ‘family’ and not an individual. This process of therapy includes only those members who are willing to participate. It is a form of psychotherapy that aims to reduce conflicts by improving the interactions between family members.
Family therapy is essentially based on the Family Systems Theory by Murray Bowen which professes that individuals are inseparable from their network of relationships, and they cannot be understood in isolation from their family members. It has been observed that changes in behavior of one family member often influences the functioning of the entire family/family dynamics. Family relationships are an important factor in psychological health and well-being.
Formal development of family therapy in India dates back to the late 1940s with contributions of Mr. Vidya Sagar who was regarded as the father of family therapy in India. He worked with families at the Amritsar Mental Hospital. His work consisted of involving families of patients in understanding and taking care of the patient whilst supporting each other through group participation. This eventually led to the focus on family education and counseling in various general hospital psychiatric units (GHPUs) with inpatient facilities.
Subsequently in the late 1970s and early 1980s, National Institute of Mental Health & Neuro-Sciences (NIMHANS), Bangalore started working with family members of patients with psychiatric disorders. It resulted in the formation of a formal Family Psychiatry Centre. At Veda, being the best rehab centre in india we consider this as a major reconciliation tool. We practice family therapy across our luxury rehabs in India
Role of Family Therapy:
- Enhancing communication – Family therapy helps individuals to express themselves effectively so that misunderstandings are avoided and there’s more clarity in conversations. It also ensures disruption of critical interactions between family members.
- Boundaries – help individuals in emotionally separating their identities from each other, avoiding enmeshment. When a family has enmeshed family members, they identify with each other and seem to live each other’s lives.
- Effective coping strategies – Through family therapy, individuals can adopt better coping skills in challenging situations.
- Exploring patterns of communication/relationship dynamics and providing support and psycho-education.
- Reducing conflicts and development of better anger management skills.
- Developing a supportive family environment and bringing family together after a crisis situation.
Family Therapy is effective for:
- Relationship difficulties within the family
- Difficulties experienced in understanding each other in the family system
- Understanding intergenerational patterns and conflicts of generational boundaries
- Families that deviate from social norms
- Gender confusion in adolescents
- Adjustment issues
- Problems associated with domination and control
- Major stressful life events and changes
Some types of Family Therapy are:
Cognitive Behavioral Family Therapy (CBFT)
This therapy helps the family to see the maladaptive thoughts, feelings and behaviors along with the negative consequences of behaviors. Problem solving and communication skills training is an essential component of CBFT. Negative and maladaptive thoughts and behaviors are restructured into more positive and adaptive ones.
Systemic approach to Family Therapy
The aim of this therapy is to work on the problems that occur between family members by encouraging them to help and empathize with each other. The idea is to focus on the strengths of the family and avoid problematic behaviors.
Bowen’s Approach
It focuses on two opposing forces, togetherness and individuality. Too much of togetherness may lead to fusion and too much of individuality may lead to estranged relationships. The aim is to create a balance to have healthy dynamics. The change is facilitated in oneself rather than attempts to change others.
Structural Family Therapy (SFT)
In this form of therapy, the therapist joins the family system as a catalyst for positive change. The aim is to address the problems in functioning within the family system. The essential components of SFT are understanding family structure, family subsystems and working on boundaries.