Individual therapy is a common technique in addiction treatment. Family therapy is simply a different kind of psychotherapy structured more closely to group therapy. Multiple family members attend sessions together and receive therapeutic intervention. This may seem strange at first. After all, why would non-addicted family members need to be in treatment? But addiction often affects the entire family unit in profound, complex ways.
Healing from addiction by necessity includes healing the damage caused throughout a family. Moreover, support is vital to long-term treatment success. Family members are a key source of support and will be even more effective in providing aid following family therapy sessions. Contact AssuraSource online or at 972.233.1010 to learn more about how family therapy works.
5 Benefits of Family Therapy
1. Increases Engagement
Not everyone brings the same level of motivation to treatment. Some people are very resistant to treatment at first. One benefit of family therapy is its ability to increase engagement and keep people motivated throughout their full course of treatment. The same goes for family members. Each family member may have a different opinion about addiction, treatment, and what is best for their loved one. Family therapy aims to get buy-in from everyone involved through early investment and goal-setting.
2. Improves Family Understanding
Frustration among family members close to an addicted loved one is common. They may not understand why their loved one developed an addiction in the first place nor why they can’t seem to simply quit using drugs and kick the problem. Then too, the person with an addiction may feel like their family isn’t supportive enough or trying to understand their point of view. Family therapy programs in Dallas, Texas, work hard to bridge the understanding gap between family members. This means moving away from individual definitions of problems and solutions and toward a relational framing of how to address addiction.
3. Creates Real Behavior Change
Most therapeutic interventions target behavior change. In this regard, family therapy is no different. Participants receive education related to healthy coping mechanisms. New skills a therapist may focus on building up include:
- Enhancing communication skills
- Defining and enforcing boundaries
- Setting expectations
- Expressing emotions
4. Alters Beliefs That Hold People Back
Another benefit of family therapy is its targeted approach to altering the beliefs that govern the family unit. Often, these hold people back from the kind of relationships that are necessary for healing, mutual aid, and healthy accountability. One example could be the way a family handles conflict. If their typical mode of operation is to stew and hold things inside when they are upset, these dormant emotions are liable to erupt in destructive ways later on. Therapy unearths the assumptions that inform how family members relate.
5. Supports the Healing Journey
People in recovery need support from a wide range of people in their lives. Family can and should provide this support. Yet the damage done by addiction means family members may not want to or may not know how to help their loved ones. Family counseling disrupts negative cycles of interaction and equips family members to provide the support their loved ones needs.
Enjoy the Benefits of Family Therapy at AssuraSource
AssuraSource prioritizes incorporating our family therapy program throughout our many addiction treatment options. The benefits of family therapy are too significant to ignore this key intervention on the road to recovery. Reach out to us at 972.233.1010 or online to learn how our family therapy program in Dallas, Texas, can benefit your family.