Family Therapy for Mental Health Treatment and Substance Use Disorder

Families face mental health disorders and substance use disorders (SUD) in different ways. Some families are supportive and ready to make changes to help their loved ones heal and move forward. Others worsen symptoms and could even be the cause of those mental health disorders. Family therapy works to address this.

If you are facing mental health disorders or an SUD, family therapy may be a component of your long-term care strategy. At Mental Health Hope, we help you to find treatment that suits your needs, which may include the use of family therapy if it fits your specific goals.

What Is Family Therapy?

Family therapy or family counseling is a process of assessing, involving, and approaching family dynamics as a component of mental health disorder treatment. There is evidence that shows that when individuals receive treatment and family therapy is included, they are more likely to continue in that treatment and achieve objectives.

Family therapy:

Addresses the communication barriers within the family unit
Pinpoints feelings, thoughts, and attitudes about mental health and SUD
Aims to educate family members about your mental health disorder or SUD
Provides strategies for dealing with conflict and disputes within the family dynamic
Allows for conversations to happen, encouraging all parties to break down silos and communicate freely
Allows families to learn how to help in crisis situations

Family therapy is only recommended and beneficial when there is clear evidence that it will help you. It is never a blaming process. That is, your loved ones do not spend their time blaming you or making statements. Rather, it aims to bring people together, address misconceptions, and determine if people can continue to live, work, or otherwise be together as a family unit.

Understanding the Struggles of Family Members

Family therapy happens in several ways:

Family members receive counseling and therapy on their own, often one-on-one with the therapist, allowing them to deal with the complexities of how they are feeling as a result of your mental health disorder
Family members attend therapy with you, providing a way to facilitate meaningful and actually valuable communication, and allowing you both to work together
Family members attend group therapy sessions in which the conversations involve education about mental health and SUDs, helping to educate your family on how to help and support you

In all situations, family therapy comes from a place of reliable, evidence-based counseling. A therapist leads the conversation. You are never left alone to work through it on your own. In situations where family therapy is not contributing in a positive way towards your recovery, you can expect your therapist to move towards a different solution.

There are some situations in which family therapy is not beneficial. If family members cannot be supportive or if there are any risks to your physical or emotional well-being, therapists will not encourage this type of care.

What Can Family Therapy Help With?

Family therapy is customized to fit the unique needs you have and what your family members need related to your mental health disorder or SUD. Some areas where it may help include:

Overcoming death and grief
Adjusting to a new life change, such as a new diagnosis of mental health
Supporting a person through substance use treatment
Overcoming relationship complications and conflicts
Navigating changes that come from the aging process

Mental health professionals can help you with improving communication, managing symptoms, knowing when and how to help a loved one, and managing high-stress events with clarity.

Types of Family Therapy

There are various types of family therapy available, each with a different method to help you move forward. Some forms include:

Functional family therapy: This therapy aims to assess and improve family dynamics, including communication and skill-building
Marriage and couples therapy: This type of therapy aims to help people navigate the unique challenges of mental health disorders and SUD in relationships
Strategic family therapy: This is a short-term tool that allows for making positive structural and behavioral changes within the environment, such as helping with mental health disorders in children, resulting in behavioral issues
Structural family therapy: Working on the inner relationships and boundaries within the family unit, and how those play a role in the overall dynamics of relationships
Systemic family therapy: This type of family therapy focuses on the family’s issues in different contexts, such as how one family member functions as a partner and the other as a parent, though it is a romantic relationship

Family therapy sessions aim to create improvements. To do this, therapists must take into consideration the unique elements that make your family what it is. That could include past trauma, intense relationship complications, cultural beliefs, and stress-causing factors. That may include death, traumatic events, strained relationships, communication-related problems, or coping with chronic illness.

When Is Family Therapy Used for Mental Health Disorders?

Many mental health disorders require individual counseling sessions. That means you will work with your therapist or in groups to develop skills and navigate symptoms. However, families play a role in the recovery of these mental health disorders as well. Some of the most important mental health diagnoses in which family therapy becomes a component of the treatment process include:

Anxiety disorders
Obsessive-compulsive disorders
Schizophrenia
Mood disorders, including depression and bipolar
Eating disorders
Substance use disorder
Personality disorders, including borderline personality disorder

Family therapy is essential in these situations. Your family can help you navigate your disorder, learn why you have it and what it means to experience it, and also learn the signs that indicate to them that you need more help. Employed in a controlled environment, family therapy creates more support for your recovery while also helping your family members gain the clarity and support they need.

Interested in Leading Mental Health Treatment? Contact Our Treatment Specialist’s Today!

Most PPO Health Plans Accepted & Private Pay Plans. We Do Not Take Medi-Cal, Medicaid, IEHP, or HMO Plans at This Time

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How Does Family Therapy Work?

During family therapy sessions, you will work with a licensed therapist to address specific concerns you have. This typically involves:

Asking each family member for input on the challenges and experiences they have
Encouraging each person to talk about their experiences, but also to listen to others with respect
Clarify any one person’s statements or feelings so that every other person understands
Offer strategies for changing perspectives or eliminating problematic behaviors
Create a plan for how families can work together to build change into their lives that suits everyone’s needs
Help each family member understand the impact their actions or statements have

In each situation, you receive individualized care and attention to your needs. Family therapy is an extension of psychotherapy, ensuring that family-related concerns are met. With family therapy, you do not mask the pain or discomfort you are facing, but create better bonds that improve everyone’s future.

Mental Health Treatment Is Available

If you are facing mental health disorders, SUD, or just need someone to talk to, reach out to Mental Health Hope now. We provide our clients with the help they need to find care that makes a difference. Contact us now for guidance.

FAQ

Does family therapy actually work?

Family therapy can be beneficial. It aids in improving emotional health and may support physical health in some situations. Each person must commit to the process to see results.

What does each person in family therapy need to do to make it work?

Every person must be willing to make positive changes that will directly impact the family unit. For that to happen, every person must be open and honest with the therapist and each other. There is also a need to create and follow a treatment plan while also complying with the therapist’s goals.

Verify Insurance Now! Most PPO Insurance Plans Accepted

We Do Not Take Medi-Cal, Medicaid, IEHP, or HMO Plans at This Time

424-622-6369

Private Mental Health Retreats

Depressive Disorders

Depression can become so debilitating that its makes normal day to day activities seem impossible. There are a range of depressive disorder and levels of severity. There are numerous treatment options for depression which can be offered in residential and outpatient treatment levels of care. Treatment for depression elements may include medication intervention, individual therapy (CBT, DBT, EMDR), yoga, meditation, exercise, and other holistic elements.

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Anxiety Disorders

Proper treatment for anxiety health conditions is key to prevent the conditions from becoming worse. Anxiety conditions include social anxiety, generalized anxiety disorder (GAD, panic disorder, OCD, and phobias. Residential and outpatient treatment programs are available options. Evidence based and holistic treatment services include individual therapy, medication intervention, yoga, meditation, experiential therapies, journaling, and exercise.

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Psychotic Disorders

Psychosis can feel very scary, for the person experiencing it and for their loved ones. Stabilization is the first phase of treatment which is typically done in an inpatient or residential level of care. Medication intervention is often a second phase of treatment to help the individual manage the severe symptoms of psychosis. Once stabilized, a variety of treatment methods can be used, such as therapy, meditation, yoga, exercise, journaling, and medication management.

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Mood Disorders

Mood disorders include bipolar disorder I and II, cyclothymic disorder, major depressive disorder (MDD), persistent depressive disorder, and premenstrual dysphoric disorder. To stabilize a mood disorder, residential treatment and medication intervention is often the preferred method. Program elements include individual therapy sessions, group therapy, meditation, yoga, exercise, experiential therapies, and additional adjunct therapies.

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Trauma Disorders

Trauma disorders can stem from various life experiences ranging from childhood abuse, domestic violence, military warfare, grief and loss, and other tragic life experiences. There are private mental health retreat options in an inpatient and residential environment where you can start the healing process. The treatment program often includes individual therapy, support meetings, yoga, meditation, and other holistic and experiential therapies.

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Self Harm Disorders

Receiving support and treatment for self harm disorders is often sought in a residential level of care to prevent any further injury. Extensive therapies and medication intervention will often be implemented right away to stabilize the client and to begin the healing process. Many people who suffer from self harming behavioral fully recover with the proper individualized treatment plan.

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Residential Mental Health Retreats & Treatment Programs

Confidential & Private Mental Health Retreats

In the residential level of care, clients reside in a private setting, offering the comforts of home. The treatment residences are often in private and secluded houses that offer the client increased confidentiality. The treatment programs offer options for a private or semi-private rooms in a tranquil and therapeutic environment.

How Mental Health Hope Helps

When you call, you will be connected with a Treatment Specialist will provide guidance and assistance with regards to: Work related matters such as FMLA, Travel Assistance & Health Insurance guidance to help you overcome barriers to treatment.