I’ve made no secret of the fact that I’ve had counselling pretty much my whole adult life. I am a huge advocate for therapy of any kind, and genuinely believe that I would not be the person I am. today without that support, guidance, and vital coping strategies I have learned along the way. Therapy comes in many forms and also can be used in a number of ways, for individuals, couples, and for families, and today I am sharing five reasons why you may choose to have family therapy and how this can help you.

1. Divorce

When a couple goes through a divorce and there are children involved, it can be a very upsetting time for all involved. If the marriage has ended badly then discussions between the parents can be strained and discussing childcare arrangements can be very difficult. Family therapy is a great way to focus on the wellbeing of your children and try to forge an amicable relationship going forward.

2. Blended Families

Following divorce, often parents remarry and navigating a blended family can be very difficult for all involved. Introducing a step parent, or step siblings can lead to jealousy, upset, and confusion, and family therapy can really help to make sure that everyone within the family has their chance to voice their opinions, have their say, and hopefully find a way to accept the new family unit.

3. Teenage years

Even families who have previously had no real issues with their children can run into issues in the teenage years. Often this is simply a case of a breakdown in communication and therapy allows parents to re-connect with their teen, open the lines of conversation, and find a way to communicate again.

4. Mental Health Issues

Having a family member who suffers with mental health issues can have a huge impact on the entire family and often family therapy is needed to allow each member of the family to learn more about mental illness and ways to help their family member recover. Family therapy allows the family member who is struggling with their mental health to voice any issues they have which have contributed to their illness, or share ways in which they would like help and support.

5. Dealing with change

Change is something that we all have to get used to throughout our lives, and yet some struggle with it more than others. When a family relocates to another area this can cause huge upheaval for all family members and therapy is often a great way to help with this huge change. A change in financial circumstances can also have a huge impact on a family and cause arguments and resentment, as well as longing for a previous life-style, so again therapy is a great way to accept a new way of life and embrace it.

There are many reasons why a family would choose to have therapy and personally, I think it’s such a good idea for all family members.

** This is a collaborative post **