As communication breaks down, expectations become too high or parents and children can’t communicate with one another, family relationships get rocky. Therapy can be a means of establishing some space where family members can talk to one another and work on better communication.
There are two approaches to family counseling based on reality therapy and family therapy - though they have different focuses, either will spur people to reflect on their current behaviour and be honest about their situation and take more responsibility for the people and the relationship.
What is reality therapy?
Reality therapy is a counseling approach that is based on the person’s present feelings, actions, choices and relationships rather than the past. The psychoanalyst William Glasser created this technique in a similar way to Robert Wubbolding.
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The idea is to help people understand what they are doing now and whether their current choices are helping them achieve healthier relationships.
For instance, a teenager who is in conflict with a parent may explore how they respond to arguments, what they want in a relationship, and how their own choices affect communication.
How it Can Help Parent-Child Relationships
Parent-child disputes get repetitive. A dispute about school, career choices, friends or behavior becomes more of a larger issue because one side feels they are misunderstood.
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The present-focused approach can promote the child to talk about what they feel like now in terms of the child’s experience rather than blame themselves or their parents. At the same time, parents can also get to know how their communication style affects the child.
The aim is not to decide who’s right or wrong. Therapy can actually be a chance to get to know the concerns of one side and another.
Understanding Family Therapy
Family therapy involves working with family members to work on relationship problems and the patterns of communication. Rather than focusing on one person’s behaviour, the therapist can look at how other members of the family influence one another.
Open communication is an essential part of this process. Family members can be encouraged to raise concerns, listen to each other and develop healthier methods of dealing with disagreements.
Creating a Safe Space for Communication
A family counselor’s biggest problem is making everyone feel comfortable enough to go through this process. A family member might be defensive, embarrassed or unwilling to talk about it all.
The therapist may therefore start slowly so that trust is established before deeper conflicts are addressed. When disputes have gone on for a long time, that is particularly important.
Therapy is a Collaborative Process
Reality and family therapy do not provide an instant solution to relationship problems. Progress can depend on the willingness of family members to participate honestly and consistently.
Professional counseling can help to provide a guide, but the true change in practice is frequently a result of continued communication beyond therapy sessions also need to be a part of it outside therapy sessions.
Building Healthier Family Relationships
Family relationships are built on listening, respect, emotional awareness and honest communication. Professional therapy can help families to recognize patterns and have healthier ways of interacting when conflicts are more difficult to handle alone.
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