Is a family counselor beneficial? For families dealing with ongoing disputes, divorce, addiction, or a variety of other events, it can prove to be helpful. It’s also a good sign that pop culture is taking family counseling series; the show ‘Rick and Morty’ discussed counseling on a recent episode and has led people to wonder if this is a good option for them. Let’s talk about how and when family counseling can be beneficial.
Importance of Family Counseling
The importance of a family entering into counseling together cannot be understated; during traumatic events, ongoing disputes, or even the discovery of psychological disorders, it can help a family come together and heal or resolve their disputes in a productive manner. It is not the right choice for every family or every situation, but more often than not, when something happens that affects the entire family, it can be a great resource. It allows every member to air out their grievances and can provide constructive feedback to a family struggling to stay together.
When is it Beneficial?
This kind of counseling is most beneficial when members of a family are having disputes, for drug intervention and recovery, are in the middle of divorce proceedings, or are in need of coping mechanisms when one member is diagnosed with a psychological disorder. It is also a great tool in rebuilding communication and trust between family members and can be useful during traumatic events. It is most beneficial when all the members of a family decide to go into therapy together, thereby strengthening their relationship to each other and sorting out problems as a unit, rather than separately.
Disadvantages
Family counseling does come with some disadvantages which need to be discussed. As in group therapy, family counseling requires that key members of the family sit down together to discuss their problems; this can be uncomfortable, especially if family members are keeping secrets. It can also be difficult to organize the logistics of counseling since every member of the family must be present at sessions in order to make it worthwhile. Family counseling is also more expensive than individual therapy and may not be covered by insurance. Finally, this kind of counseling only works if all family members agree to attend sessions, something that can be difficult if one or more key members are not on speaking terms with the rest of the family.
One Step in a Larger Process
Family counseling has a lot of benefits, but it is just one step in the larger healing process. For families that go into counseling because of traumatic events, such as a divorce or an addiction problem, therapy sessions complement medical or legal steps. While counseling can help ease the transition for family members, it is imperative that each individual realize that it will not solve all their problems; additional solo therapy may also be needed. Family counseling can also last for a long time, depending on the circumstances that brought the family to therapy in the first place, meaning that although it is just one step, it can be a vital one for all family members.
The fact is, family counseling is therapy to help families either heal or move on from traumatic events. While it is not the right choice for every family, it does offer more advantages than disadvantages. If you are wondering whether a family counselor is beneficial for you and your family, try going to one session to see what this kind of therapy can achieve.
Related Resource: Top 10 Best Online Social Work Degree Programs
Follow
