The Importance of Family Therapy
At Wellspring, we believe that home is where mental health is developed, or unfortunately, injured. We want to help families thrive!
What areas could marriage and family therapy be beneficial?
Marital conflicts
Infertility
Grief that impacts any family member
Depression and anxiety issues
Childhood and adolescent behavioral problems
Identity and LGBTQ issues
Substance abuse issues
This is not a complete list. If an issue impacts the relationships within a family or extended family, then it falls under Marriage and Family Therapy.
What are the models used within Marriage and Family Therapy?
There are two primary models within marriage and family therapy - strategic and systemic.
Brief Strategic Family Therapy (BSFT) is a brief model but direct to address how a family communicates and makes decisions. In this model, the therapist becomes the power figure to alleviate the blame on each other and allows family members to communicate more effectively.
Attachment-Based Family Therapy (ABFT) is a systematic approach to look at the foundational relationships in childhood to find the root of the issue at hand. Typically, the 'fruit' of the current situation results from the 'soil' or 'foundation' of someone's childhood or adolescence. The focus of ABFT is on repairing these relationships, if possible.
What are the benefits of Marriage and Family Therapy?
Allows for multiple analyses of a single problem - By observing and interviewing family members individually and collectively, a therapist can view the issue from many perspectives.
Removes the blame on individuals - In family therapy, the problem is analyzed from a relationship's perspective rather than the individual's.
Strengthens relationships through helpful communication dynamics and interactions - By creating new patterns and communication habits, family members can engage in conversations even when they have differing opinions or views.
Paul had quite a bit to say about dissension in the early church. Much like a family unit, the body of believers can experience moments of dysfunction and disunity. Paul encouraged them to be "like-minded, having the same love"(Phil 2:2). We should also strive to be like-minded within our family units as well.
If your family needs a space to create unity, establish good communication, or heal the wounds that may exist, we are here to help you! You can request an appointment on our website: WellspringMiami.org.
