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Finding Solutions With Marriage Family Counselors

In the early 20th Century, psychologist Carl Jung posited that children will begin to live out the unconscious conflicts of their parents.

More often than not, the powerlessness and despondency manifests itself as phobias, eating disorders, behavioral disorders, substance abuse, sexual activity, suicide, stuttering or acts of rebellion. Marriage family counselors began to emerge to treat these problems stemming from a damaged family system.

In general, a family counselor is skilled in an area of psychotherapy that helps parents and children interact, communicate, resolve conflicts, deal with emotions, understand one another better and forgive.

Family therapy from licensed counselors can benefit families with marital problems, divorce, eating disorders, depression, substance abuse, work-related stress, credit problems, violence, parenting disagreements, grief or chronic health problems.

Typically, families will attend weekly one-hour sessions with a family marriage counselor for a period of three to five months. However, if physical abuse, substance abuse or divorce is a factor, then the duration may be extended.

Marriage counselors have one goal and one goal only, and that is to bring family members closer together. Throughout several consecutive sessions, a family marriage counselor will examine each member’s problem solving skills, emotional capacity, role within the family, behavioral patterns and communication styles to see how each person may be helping or hindering the dysfunctional family unit.

Family therapy has been extremely successful for parents and siblings of individuals with Schizophrenia, Explosive Anger Disorder, Bipolar or other difficult-to-understand disorders.

Primary care physicians are usually a good place to find referrals for family counselors. Health insurers, priests, friends, government agencies or the website of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy are other good resources.

When calling around, you’ll want to ask the licensed professional counselors what their background and formal education is, how much they charge, whether or not they accept your insurance, how long the sessions are and how many to expect, what the cancellation policy is and where the office is located.

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