Questions/Answers
What happens in family or couples therapy?
A family therapist or marriage counselor aims to remain neutral, avoid placing blame, and refrain from offering “one-size-fits-all” solutions. They seek to encourage people to develop a mutual understanding and explore approaches tailored to their specific situation.
Sessions with a family therapist typically last between 50 and 60 minutes, depending on the client’s needs and how time is allocated. The family therapist creates an atmosphere where people feel welcome and gives everyone a chance to contribute to the discussions if they wish.
The approach is tailored to people’s ages, needs, resources, and preferences. Sessions involving children, for example, often include play and drawing. Some people may wish to talk together from the start of therapy, while others may prefer some one-on-one time with their family therapist before deciding whether—and how—to share their thoughts and feelings with others. The family therapist will discuss with you how you would like to work together.
What kinds of difficulties does family therapy aim to address?
Research shows that family therapy is helpful for children, adolescents, adults, and older adults facing a wide range of difficulties and circumstances, including:
Couples experiencing relationship difficulties
Mental health issues in children and adolescents
Mental health issues in adults
Children, adolescents, and adults with behavioral disorders
Parenting issues
Illness and disability in the family
Separation and divorce for couples or families (parents sometimes find it difficult to cope with being separated from their children)
Anorexia, bulimia, and other eating disorders
Foster care, adoption, kinship care, and children’s needs
Domestic violence and abuse
Self-harm
Drug and alcohol abuse
The effects of trauma
Challenges related to aging and other life-cycle changes
Are therapy sessions covered by health insurance?
No, Social Security does not reimburse the cost of sessions. However, some private health insurance plans may cover part of the cost.
Do family therapists work exclusively with families?
No, they can see children and adults individually and/or in family groups. They can work with couples, or with other groups and communities, and with people of all ages, from children to the elderly.
How long will this take?
Answer:
Sometimes, it doesn’t take much to help people tap into their strengths and find solutions. Other times, the challenges are more complex, and families may need more time to find solutions that work for them. I’d be happy to discuss schedules and timelines with you.
What do we mean by “family”?
Different cultures and groups of people have different ideas about what “family” means. I use the word “family” to refer to any group of people who identify as such, who care for and look out for one another.
What if you’re hesitant to see a therapist?
Sometimes, when one person or group is eager to try therapy, others close to them may be more reluctant. This is understandable. Starting family therapy is a big step, and some people are more ready to take it than others.
It can be helpful to schedule an initial meeting to discuss the possibility of working together and give everyone a chance to voice their concerns.
Are the sessions confidential?
Absolutely, it's in the code of ethics of any therapist or mediator.
What should I do if I have other questions?
You may haveadditional questions specific to your situation. For example, you may have questions about the confidentiality of what is discussed in therapy, what might be covered in the sessions, the time, location, and duration of the sessions, as well as costs and fees for canceled appointments. You may want to learn more about the therapist’s experience and professional training. These are important questions, and I’ll be happy to discuss them with you during our first conversation or meeting.
Browsing this site should answer many of your questions.
For any further information, please contact me via the contact page of this site.
