Family therapy, also known as family counseling, is a form of therapeutic intervention aimed at improving communication, resolving conflicts, and strengthening relationships amongst family members. Clinically, family therapy is based around the notion that a family functions as a system where each individual’s behavior and emotions are interconnected with, and consequently, impact the entire family unit. Generally, the goal of family therapy is to help individuals gain understanding and empathy for one another while navigating challenges that get in the way of a functional family dynamic.

During sessions, a licensed therapist helps facilitate conversations and activities to help family members explore common themes such as:

• Behavioral issues: Addressing behavioral problems in children or adolescents, establishing discipline techniques, and promoting positive behaviors.

• Communication problems: Improving communication skills, listening to one another, and expressing thoughts and feelings in a constructive way.

• Conflict resolution: Learning strategies to manage and resolve conflicts, disagreements, or tensions within the family.

• Cultural or identity conflicts: Addressing conflicts related to cultural differences, values, beliefs, or generational gaps within the family.

• Family transitions: Navigating major life changes such as divorce, remarriage, blending families, relocation, or the birth of a new child.

• Grief and loss: Coping with the loss of a family member, navigating grief, and supporting each other through difficult times.

• Mental health concerns: Supporting family members dealing with mental health issues, substance abuse, trauma, or other challenges.

• Parenting issues: Addressing parenting challenges, setting boundaries, establishing rules, and aligning parenting styles.

There are many types of family therapy including internal family systems therapy, structural family therapy, family constellation therapy, narrative family therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy. 

At Tree of Life Counseling Center in Princeton and Freehold, NJ, the structure of family therapy sessions is personalized to the needs of all members involved. Sessions may include some or all family members, depending on the issue being addressed. ​

Who can benefit?

Family therapy can benefit individuals and families in a variety of situations. Some common challenges that individuals who benefit from family therapy face include:

Behavioral issues: Families with children or adolescents who exhibit challenging behaviors, defiance, or emotional outbursts that strain family relationships.

Blended families: Families adjusting to new family structures, step-parenting dynamics, co-parenting challenges, or integration issues in blended families.

Chronic illness or disability: Families navigating the impact of a family member's chronic illness, disability, or medical condition on family dynamics, roles, and communication.

Communication breakdown: Families experiencing difficulties in communicating effectively, listening to each other, or expressing thoughts and emotions in a constructive manner.

Conflict resolution: Families dealing with unresolved conflicts, disagreements, or tensions that impact the family dynamic and relationships.

Cultural or identity conflicts: Families with different cultural backgrounds, beliefs, or values facing conflicts, misunderstandings, or tension related to identity or cultural differences.

Mental health concerns: Families supporting a member dealing with mental health issues, substance abuse, addiction, or other psychological challenges.

Parent-child relationship issues: Parents and children struggling with power struggles, discipline problems, generation gaps, or conflicts related to expectations and boundaries.

Strengthening family relationships: Families seeking to improve cohesion, bond, understanding, and resilience within the family unit.

Trauma or loss: Families coping with the impact of trauma, loss of a loved one, separation, divorce, or other significant life changes.​

Family therapy provides a safe, neutral environment for family members to explore challenges, start an open dialogue, build empathy, and learn strategies to create a healthier family dynamic. By working together with a licensed counselor, families can incorporate evidence-based practices into their routines to foster a supportive family environment and create positive change.