Adolescence is difficult enough for teens without mental health challenges. Hormones are surging, sending emotions all over the map. One minute, a teen may feel on top of the world; the next, they’re consumed by existential dread. For many, determining who they are, independent of parental and societal influences, can be an exhausting journey.
For those grappling with psychological difficulties, however, adolescence is a particularly challenging time. Their struggles often place great strain and stress on families, which is why many therapists recommend teen family therapy, a therapeutic approach that actively includes the family and other loved ones of a troubled teen.
What is family therapy?
Family therapy is a type of counseling in which families work with a therapist to identify unhealthy patterns, such as poor communication or unresolved conflicts, that contribute to dysfunction or discord in a home. Family therapists follow a systems approach, viewing the family as a complex ecosystem with its own rules and dynamics. They don’t consider the behaviors exhibited by one individual in isolation but rather in the context of how they arise from and affect the family unit.
Once unhealthy behavioral and emotional patterns are uncovered, the clinician helps family members establish healthier ways of relating to one another. When toxic family dynamics are ameliorated, individual problems often improve.
A primary goal of family therapy is boosting communication skills. When family members convey messages clearly, honestly, and empathically, misunderstandings are minimized, helping the family remain connected and healthy.
Family therapists teach each family member how to communicate in ways that convey their meaning without hurting others. This typically includes practicing active listening, which helps family members be present with one another without distraction.
Strengths, not deficits
Teen family therapy is strength-based, which means that rather than focusing on what’s wrong within the family, it helps family members capitalize on their positive attributes when working on overcoming mutual challenges.
Strengths may include skills, love, and support. Family therapy emphasizes that every family has strengths it can build upon, no matter how much conflict or stress it’s experiencing.
By highlighting what works well within the family, family therapy can shift the focus from blaming others and wallowing in negativity to finding solutions. For example, a therapist might have a family recall a time when all members pitched in to solve a dilemma. Building on the positive feelings associated with this memory, the therapist can then encourage the family to work out their current issues during a family therapy session.
How does family therapy for teens work?
Family therapy is a collaborative process where you, your teen, and other family members work with a therapist to understand how each person’s behaviors and emotions impact the family.
Sessions are typically weekly and last around 60 minutes. Family therapy is usually short-term, spanning about 12 sessions. However, length varies depending on family needs.
Family therapists typically begin by closely observing how family members interact with one another. This initial assessment allows the clinician to identify the unhealthy patterns contributing to toxic family dynamics so they can formulate a family therapy treatment plan. By understanding the patterns that undermine family harmony, the therapist can help the family develop healthier ways of relating.
What are the benefits of family therapy for teens?
Families who wholeheartedly commit to family therapy can look forward to
- An improved ability to set healthy boundaries and respect those of others
- Learning how to communicate without being overly passive or aggressive
- Strengthened familial bonds that make everyone feel more connected
- Greater empathy among family members
- Significantly fewer family conflicts
- A more harmonious home environment
- Learning support strategies that ease the emotional burden of a loved one struggling with mental health problems
Types of family therapy for teens
Structural therapy
Structural therapy looks at the family unit as a set of structures—such as rules and boundaries—that dictate and affect how its members interact. When these structures become unstable, conflict and dysfunction are inevitable.
For example, if boundaries are too loose, family members may become too involved in one another’s lives, hindering personal space and independence. On the other hand, if boundaries are too rigid, family members may feel disconnected or isolated. A structural therapist’s job is to help the family build healthier structures so that the family unit can function harmoniously.
Strategic therapy
In this experiential form of family therapy, family members are given tasks designed to disrupt toxic behavior patterns. These interventions are sometimes dramatic and often paradoxical. For example, a therapist might ask a family experiencing near-constant conflict to argue loudly for 20 minutes to make them more aware of how draining and counterproductive fighting is.
Narrative therapy
Everyone tells themselves stories that shape how they view their place in the world and how they interact with others. For example, if somebody’s story is “I always must take care of everyone,” they might assume too much responsibility in relationships, neglecting their own needs.
Narrative family therapy is about identifying these stories and how they conflict with the stories of other family members. Incompatible narratives undermine family cohesiveness.
In narrative therapy, each family member discusses their story so that everyone understands their own and the others’ narratives. Then, the clinician encourages them to rewrite their stories in ways that empower both themselves and the family.
Bowenian therapy
Bowenian therapy, developed by Dr. Murray Bowen, helps family members maintain both a healthy sense of individuality and emotionally connection to the family. Treatment operates on the idea that families are deeply interconnected systems in which each member’s emotions and behaviors affect the family unit.
A key concept in Bowenian therapy is differentiation of self. Problems arise when family members become emotionally enmeshed, leaving them struggling to maintain their identities. In such cases, they may become overly focused on pleasing or appeasing others, feeling unable to express their feelings or needs without fear of upsetting other family members.
During Bowenian therapy, family members learn to take responsibility for their own emotions rather than feeling controlled or subtly manipulated by other family members. It’s particularly effective for families dealing with long-term, unresolved issues, such as generational conflict or deep-rooted emotional patterns.
Do we need family therapy?
Are you wondering about the benefits of family therapy vs individual therapy? If you’re a parent of a teen struggling with mental health challenges, it’s tempting to consider the problem in isolation and place only your child in therapy. However, a teen struggling with a mental health disorder or behavioral problems can put a lot of strain on family relationships. Including family in the solution will likely be more effective.
A qualified family therapist will observe how family members interact with one another during sessions to identify any unhealthy patterns. They can also teach family members effective ways to support a troubled teen whenever their emotional burden becomes too overwhelming to carry alone.
At Avery’s House, teen family therapy is one of our many services. Our boot camp alternatives, group homes, and residential programs for teens struggling with mental health challenges can help your child forge a vibrant, fulfilling future while helping your family grow closer and stronger.
Contact us today!