Family Therapy

Approximately 40% of families in the United States seek therapy at some point (American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy). When conflict persists, it impacts every member’s emotional wellbeing, daily functioning, and the quality of relationships within the home. Children are particularly vulnerable to ongoing family tension, which can influence their development, academic performance, and sense of security. Professional support can help families understand patterns that maintain conflict and develop healthier ways of relating to each other.

What is Family Therapy?

Family therapy views families as systems where each member affects and is affected by the whole. Rather than focusing solely on one person’s behavior, therapy examines how members interact, communicate, and respond to each other. Treatment helps identify patterns that may be contributing to distress and teaches skills to create more positive dynamics.

Common Issues Addressed in Family Therapy

Family therapy can address a wide range of concerns:

  • Family communication issues and frequent misunderstandings
  • Parent-child conflict or tension between siblings
  • Parenting disagreements and stress
  • Challenges in blended families or stepfamily adjustment
  • Behavioral or emotional difficulties in children or adolescents
  • Family transitions (divorce, remarriage, loss, relocation)
  • Caring for aging parents or managing intergenerational conflict
  • Mental health or substance use issues affecting the family
  • Recovery from trauma or abuse
  • Setting family boundaries and establishing healthy roles

Treatment for Families

Our family therapists tailor their approach to your family’s specific needs. Family therapy has proven effective across diverse challenges, from children’s behavioral difficulties to major transitions and recovery from trauma (Journal of Family Therapy, 2024). Treatment typically involves learning healthier communication skills, understanding each member’s perspective, and developing practical strategies for resolving family conflict. We draw on approaches including Structural Family Therapy, which addresses organization and boundaries, and other family therapy techniques designed to strengthen relationships and improve functioning.

Family therapy is efficient. Most participants complete treatment in an average of 9 sessions, with the majority finishing within 20 sessions (American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy). Therapy for parenting support helps parents work together more effectively and respond to their children’s needs in consistent, supportive ways. When families face challenges like marital stress after kids or emotional distance in relationships, treatment addresses both the immediate concerns and the underlying family dynamics and roles.

If you’re experiencing family conflict or want to strengthen your family relationships, Miami Counseling & Resource Center can help. Contact us to learn more or schedule an appointment.