Article Summary: Family therapy is a powerful resource to help families overcome a variety of conflicts stemming from communication pitfalls, relationship dynamics, mental health issues, and more. Rely on our family therapy frequently asked questions to find the answers you’re looking for.
Family therapy has exploded in popularity since the 1970s, and the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy estimates 1.8 million people attend marriage or family therapy at any given time.
Despite its prevalence, many clients have questions about family therapy, how it works, and whether or not it’s covered by insurance.
Read our FAQ to learn more:
Table of Contents
Family Therapy Overview
What is family therapy?
Why do families seek therapy?
Does family therapy work?
Types of Family Therapy
What is structural family therapy?
What is functional family therapy?
What is strategic family therapy?
What is attachment-based family therapy?
Family Therapy And Insurance
Does insurance cover family therapy?
Family Therapists
How do you find a good family therapist?
Find A Pittsburgh Family Therapist
Family Therapy Overview
What is family therapy?
Family therapy is a form of talk therapy that focuses on improving relationships between members of a “family system.” In most family therapy sessions, a therapist will help participants enhance communication, conflict resolution, and understanding each other.
Ideally, family therapy results in a happier, more supportive home environment by tackling issues surrounding life changes, relationship dynamics, mental health issues, and even behavioral challenges.
Some common sessions for family therapy may include sessions between:
- Two spouses (also known as couples therapy)
- A parent and a child
- Both parents and a child
- A parent and multiple children
- An entire family
Why do families seek therapy?
People seek family therapy for a variety of reasons, including:
1. Court Orders – The court system may order family therapy under a variety of circumstances, including:
- custody issues
- issues at school
- recommendation of a guidance counselor
2. Divorce – Divorce is complicated for the entire family, and family therapy can assist when kids begin acting out, when parents start dating other people, or when other issues arise.
3. Reunification of Families – After a legal issue, family therapy is sometimes required to see family members again.
4. Challenges With Special Needs Children – Parents of special needs kids often seek therapy to develop tools to deal with the unique stressors of managing unexpected medical issues.
5. Behavioral Issues and Mental Health – When a child is acting out or struggling with mental health issues, the cause may stem from something within the family unit. Therapy can help families pinpoint the primary issue and practice skills to overcome it.
Does family therapy work?
Family therapy does work, and here’s proof: According to the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, 98% of clients of marriage and family therapists say their services were good or excellent.
Just as impressive:
- 90% of clients report an improvement in their mental health.
- ~67% of clients report an improvement in their physical health.
- 75%+ report an improvement in the couple’s relationship.
- 73.7% report improvement in the child’s behavior when the child is the primary patient.
Types of Family Therapy
What is structural family therapy?
Structural family therapy is an approach that focuses on creating calm stability by examining the way the family is organized. Therapists guide conversations to understand the family dynamics, then they use techniques like:
- setting boundaries
- shifting roles
- challenging patterns
Under the therapist’s guidance, family members develop healthier strategies to connect, solve problems, and support each other.
What is functional family therapy?
Functional family therapy is an evidence-based family counseling model specifically designed for at-risk youth and their families.
In these sessions, a therapist will teach families healthier, more productive strategies for communicating, problem-solving, and emotional regulation to address a variety of issues, including:
- substance abuse
- violence
- behavioral issues at school
- delinquency
Most families attend functional family therapy for 12–14 sessions, but some may require additional meetings.
What is strategic family therapy?
Strategic family therapy is intended to be a short-term therapy that shifts dysfunctional family interactions into loving, nurturing behaviors for long-term relationship growth.
Instead of digging into past traumas and conflicts, strategic family therapy focuses on current behaviors and communication patterns. With a therapist’s help, families learn healthy strategies for communicating and relating with one another.
Strategic family therapy can be especially useful when tackling issues like substance abuse, delinquency, and behavioral issues at school.
What is attachment-based family therapy?
Attachment-based family therapy is a therapy intended primarily for adolescents and young adults struggling with depression and suicidal ideation. In these sessions a therapist will help rebuild trust and secure connections between family members.
Together, a family will address past hurts and shortcomings while creating a safe, nurturing environment for healing and growth. As the family becomes a primary support system, feelings of depression and suicidal ideation may gradually wash away.
Family Therapy And Insurance
Does insurance cover family therapy?
Your insurance may cover family therapy, especially if the therapy treats a diagnosed condition in a specific family member, such as depression, anxiety, or PTSD. However, you should always check with your insurance provider for coverage, and then confirm with your therapist that they accept your insurance plan.
Family Therapists
How do you find a good family therapist?
Finding a good family therapist can be tricky because it’s a demanding profession, and many family therapists limit the number of cases they take on at any given time. Still, good tactics include:
- Ask for referrals from your doctor or another therapist.
- Check local online reviews.
- Find a family therapist who specializes in your unique needs.
Find A Pittsburgh Family Therapist
At My Wellness Center, we’ve built a large network of talented family therapists ready to support you and your family. Contact us to learn more, or sort through our entire team of therapists.