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When to Seek Family Therapy

Nancy MacGregor MA, ATR-BC, LPC, ACS, Clinical Director

At our core, we all want a family connection. However, if mental illness or substance abuse has corrupted and broken family relationships, that connection may be damaged. At this point, you may be wondering when to seek family therapy. If the dynamic in your home has shifted from loving and peaceful to toxic, it may be time to consider seeking therapy for the whole family. If you’re looking for a family therapist in Voorhees, NJ, Harmony Bay offers family counseling services, and is a great place to start your search.

WHEN TO SEEK FAMILY THERAPY

There are a variety of reasons to seek family therapy. These vary from family to family. However, there are several common reasons for families to seek counseling. If you find that your family is in one of the situations mentioned in this post, it may be time to seek therapy.

PARENTAL CONFLICT OR DIVORCE

When the parents are fighting, there is an enormous amount of pressure on the family unit. The parents are stressed out because they’re always fighting. The kids are stressed out because they think somehow the parental conflict is their fault. At this point, it is critical to seek family therapy. Some families may also want to seek out marriage or relationship counseling as well, to help themselves in order to repair relationships with their children.

A NEW FAMILY MEMBER

Whether it’s the stress of a new baby or a grandparent moving into the family home, the addition of a family member can cause a significant amount of stress. The parents are trying to figure out how to adjust their schedules with a new baby. They also may be struggling to handle the new lack of sleep or personal space when a grandparent has moved in. The children are trying to adapt to not getting as much attention from their parents. When you decide to seek family therapy, you can resolve tensions and air unspoken grievances in front of a neutral third party who will serve as a mediator in resolving conflict.

TRAUMA

There are a variety of traumatic experiences that can make you question when to seek family therapy. If you or your children have been trying to deal with an abusive relationship, it is critical for you to get therapy. Other traumatic events that may require therapy include:

  • A natural disaster
  • A loss of a family member
  • Moving to a new house
  • A family member going to prison

SUBSTANCE ABUSE

If a family member is struggling with substance abuse, the other members of the family may benefit from family therapy. Substance abuse can lead to damaged relationships. Family members may feel like the person neglected their responsibilities. Perhaps the family member stole from the family to fund their habit. During family therapy, you can begin to talk about how their actions hurt the family. You can also start to rebuild lines of communication, and begin a more positive flow to enjoy better familiar relationships.

GETTING THE ANSWERS TO WHEN TO SEEK FAMILY THERAPY

Finding the answer to the question of when the right time to seek therapy is can be complicated. However, it doesn’t have to be. At Harmony Bay, we want to help your family reconnect. Moreover, if there are underlying issues that led to the family brokenness, we want to treat those as well. We offer:

To learn more about our therapies, or if you have questions about whether there is family therapy near you in Voorhees, NJ then contact Harmony Bay today [Direct].

 

Treatment with Harmony Bay

Harmony Bay is an outpatient behavioral health service that offers primary mental health treatment for a variety of mental health disorders. Our mission is to make mental health care convenient and affordable while providing an unmatched experience to our clients. contact us today by calling 855.765.6399.