
Deciding to seek out therapy for your family can be challenging. You may be asking yourself whether family therapy is necessary, or if it’s really the right path for you. Perhaps you’re conflicted about whether a single person needs therapy before you begin family therapy. It’s a tough question to answer.
Trying to decide if family therapy or individual therapy is best can feel daunting, but there are ways to help make this decision a little easier.
Why are You Considering Family Therapy?
One thing to consider is why you are seeking out therapy in the first place. Are you hoping that your family can learn how to better navigate conflict? Or, is your child the primary focus?
If your child is having issues at school, such as anger issues or rebelliousness then individual counseling may be the best route. However, if communication and conflict among family members is the primary concern, then family therapy may be the best choice.
Considering Your Child’s Needs Before Choosing Family Therapy
If your child and their challenges are the primary reason for seeking out therapy, then you may need to consider individual therapy. However, the counselor can always recommend family therapy as the next step if needed. Individual counseling will allow the child to process their feelings, behaviors, and other things that may be leading to conflict with parents or other family members. They can do all of this in a safe and supportive environment. This way, when they return home they may be able to communicate better and work through conflict in a more productive way.
For example, if your child is dealing with anxiety, they may benefit from individual counseling. This will give them the chance to work through their anxiety in a safe place with a therapist there to support them. After some time, they may be able to work through their anxiety on their own or with only occasional help from the therapist.
Considering Your Family’s Needs
If your child is not the sole focus, then family therapy may be the best option. Family therapy is when all members of the family come to work together on whatever the issue may be. It can range from developing a stronger sense of trust to learning how understand each other better. Family therapy is more effective when all family members are willingly participating and motivated to make the necessary changes.
Families are complex.
In this instance, the therapist will support the family members with learning how to communicate better with each other. They will also provide support and guidance on how to work through issues as a team. And, how to trust in one another. However, it is good to remember that family therapy is not there to change any member of your family. For example, family therapy isn’t there to “change” your child or teen to make them who you want them to be. It’s there to provide support and guidance as you all work together to improve communication and relationships within the family.
Both family and individual therapy may be the right choice.
Sometimes, a combination of family therapy and individual therapy may be the best route. Having your child, you, or other family members complete individual therapy first may help set the foundation for family therapy. This will give the individuals a chance to process their own emotions and behaviors. As a result, they may be more open to working on things as a family in therapy.
For example, if your partner is dealing with depression, they may need to work on their challenges individually before coming to family therapy. This will help them better understand their behaviors and how they can better manage them. In turn, they may be more receptive to working on things with the family in therapy.
Deciding to go to therapy is a big step. And, once you’ve made that decision, it’s important to figure out what type of therapy will work best for you and your family. Consider what your focus is and what your family members’ needs are. From there, you can decide if family therapy or individual therapy, or even a combination is better for you and your family.
Begin Family Therapy in Roswell, GA
Our therapists at Wellview Counseling understand how difficult it is to start your therapy journey when you don’t know where to begin. We are here to help you through this process and work with you to figure out what type of therapy will work best for you. If you’re ready to start your journey, you can:
- Contact Wellview Counseling
- Meet with one of our specialized family therapists
- Start working on your goals in therapy as a family or as an individual
Other Therapy Services Offered at Wellview Counseling
Starting therapy as an individual or a family is a big decision. Here at Wellview Counseling, we understand this and are here to help you every step of the way. You may be seeking out counseling because you are struggling with maintaining healthy boundaries with your family or child. Or perhaps you have a family member with chronic health issues and you’re looking for support on how to cope. Maybe your family is struggling with current or past traumas that are leading to difficulties in communicating your wants and needs. No matter what your specific situation is, our therapists have a range of therapy services available to support you.
Our office is located in Roswell, GA, but we also offer online therapy to anyone located in Georgia. If you have questions or would like to schedule an appointment please feel welcome to reach out to us!