What is family therapy?

Family therapy is a form of psychotherapy (also known as family counseling). In this format, family members come together to resolve conflicts and improve communication with one another. As in individual psychotherapy, family members learn valuable skills, and the intention is to help improve a current imbalance caused by a stressor. This could include a wide range of concerns such as a family member's substance abuse, parenting style conflicts, infidelity, interpersonal communication problems, blurred role boundaries, domestic violence by a family member, and so on. Family therapy can also take an educational form, such as providing information on coping with a family member's mental illness, such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and so forth. Family therapy sessions can vary in length and who is willing to participate. Please remember that it is not in anyone's best interest to force a loved one to participate.