Family Problems
Relationships in our family are usually the first we build in our lives, and often the most important. But they can also bring up the strongest of emotions. Whatever the family, at times they may experience tension, between parents and children, within couples, between siblings, or in the wider family. Parents may struggle to communicate with their adolescent children and vice versa, or struggle to look after older members of the family.
Individual mental health issues such as anxiety, addiction, eating disorders and depression can also contribute to tensions within the family. Most people and families experience serious difficulties at some point in their lives.
Our relationships with our families and the values we are brought up with, especially in early childhood, can have a significant impact on our self-esteem, mental health, and interpersonal relationships later in life.
In today's world, there are many more ways of being included in a family. On top of more traditional routes such as adoption and fostering, reproductive technologies enable a number of variations, through surrogacy, and egg or sperm donation. There are also people who, through the easy availability of DNA testing, are at some point in their lives faced with changes in their family make-up and their knowledge of their genetic inheritance.
What kinds of issues might families have?
- child and adolescent mental health difficulties
- anorexia, bulimia, and other eating disorders
- self-harm
- divorce, separation, and step-family life
- adoption, fostering, and the needs of ‘looked-after’ children
- bullying
- parenting issues
- domestic violence and abuse
- effects of trauma and abuse
- difficulties related to ageing
- bereavement
- child and adult behavioural issues
- birth and postpartum depression
- financial issues
Family psychotherapist Louis Weinstock talks about children's mental health
How can therapy help?
Whether you are part of a family going through a crisis, or you are struggling with your relationship with a parent or child, family therapy could help.
In individual therapy, therapists can work with people to help them reflect on the nature of their relationships with family members. It is very common for clients to talk to therapists about their relationships in the family as it is often integral to their understanding of themselves and their place in the world.
Families can also have therapy together to help them communicate better and overcome difficulties. This is usually called family or systemic therapy. This may vary between sessions with the whole family unit, and smaller units within the family, depending on who is able and willing to attend.
Family/systemic therapists believe that one part of the system (say, one person) affects the whole system, and vice versa. Therefore, change in one part of the family system will affect the whole.
A family therapist helps family members explore difficult thoughts and emotions, understand each other better, and make useful changes in their individual lives and relationships. The therapist works with the family, not taking sides but encouraging families to engage and share with each other. Therapy provides a safe and inclusive environment to express feelings, recognise family strengths and ultimately foster change.
Family therapy sessions are likely to be longer than regular 50 minute therapy sessions. However, it will typically be more brief, say 6-8 sessions.
Last updated 19 August 2024
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