Definition

Noun A form of psychotherapy that treats the family unit as the primary client or system. The focus is on improving communication, resolving conflicts, and changing dysfunctional patterns within the family's relationships and interactions, rather than on treating an individual member in isolation.

Usage

Family therapy is used when relational dynamics within a family contribute to distress or psychological issues for one or more members. It is based on the principle that problems are often embedded within family interactions.

Examples

• The couple decided to try family therapy to address their ongoing conflicts about parenting.
• After the teenager's behavioral issues escalated, the school counselor recommended family therapy.
• A core goal of family therapy is to strengthen the emotional bonds between family members.

Advanced Usage

• Structural family therapy: A specific approach that focuses on reorganizing the family's structure (e.g., hierarchies, boundaries) to create healthier functioning.
• Systemic family therapy: An approach that views the family as an interconnected emotional system and seeks to understand the role of symptoms within that system.

Variants and Related Words

• Family therapist (n): A mental health professional trained to conduct family therapy.
• Marital therapy / Couples therapy (n): A related form of therapy focusing specifically on the relationship between partners or spouses.

Synonyms

• Family counseling
• Family systems therapy

Related Phrases

• To be in family therapy: To be undergoing this form of treatment.
  • They have been in family therapy for six months.
• To attend family therapy: To go to sessions of this therapy.
  • The whole family agrees to attend family therapy weekly.

Noun

1. any of several therapeutic approaches in which a family is treated as a whole