Psychological Therapy: Family Therapy

Family Therapy is a type of therapy that focuses on the relationship between family members or partners. While other type of therapy look at individual patients alone, family therapy brings family relationships into the picture. The goal of this therapy is to explore the relationships with other family members that may be the potential cause of the problem or problems of the identified patient (Exploring 503). There are multiple approaches that a family therapist may take. Some of the major techniques include Structural Therapy, Conjoint Therapy, and Strategic Therapy. Structural Therapy, developed by Salvador Minuchin, focuses on the structure of the family including the relationship with siblings and parents. What makes Structural Therapy different from other forms of Family Therapy is that the therapist involved attempts to become very close to the family in which the identified patient/patients is/are in. This helps the therapist to understand on a deeper level the problems existing amongst the family. Conjoint Therapy tends to look at the duties that each individual in the family takes on and how they communicate amongst each other. This approach is more common among therapist. The most influential type of therapy, Strategic Therapy, was influenced by the work of Jay Haley. The therapist in this approach leads the therapy sessions by asking questions and starting discussions. This forward approach triggers feelings and actions from the family involved. Which ever approach the therapist takes, all are effective forms of therapy. In some cases, Family Therapy can be risky for therapists if the relationship between family members or couples is tense. Safety is the number one concern for therapist especially in earlier sessions of counseling (Effectiveness of Couple 1). Family therapy can be a very effective form of therapy if the family involved participates fully. The family bond is the most powerful social connection that an individual can have. That is why

Cited: Aliso, Viejo, Dr. "The Benefits of Marriage Counseling." Healthy Exchange (2012): n. pag. Print. Carolla, Michael. "Effectiveness of Couples Therapy." Journal of Marraige and Family Therapy (2003): n. pag. Print. Graffenreid, Ellen. "Family Therapy Is Effective Treatment Tool for Children for Substance Abuse and Conduct Disorders." Medical News Today. MediLexicon International, 12 Aug. 2005. Web. 30 Nov. 2012. <http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/29014.php>. Myers, David G. Exploring Psychology. New York, NY: Worth, 2011. Print. Nerfer, Barb. "Effectiveness of Marriage Counseling." Family Health (2012): 33-35. Print.