WHAT ARE FAMILY ISSUES
Families go through many experiences together. Some experiences are happy while others can be difficult, sad, or aggravating. While some conflict within a family is normal, family therapy may be beneficial when hardships seem overwhelming and affect the family’s everyday well-being, especially over an extended period of time.
COMMON FAMILY ISSUES
There are many different ways that families can experience trials, difficulties, hardships, and discomfort. Some of the most common issues family experience may include the following:
- Major Life Events: This can include anything that brings a big change to a family physically or emotionally. Some major life events include a loved one’s death, moving, changing careers, loss of a job, divorce, and marriage.
- Health Concerns: When a family member goes through major health problems, it can also lead to family issues. This includes physical health problems such as cancer and chronic conditions and mental health problems such as depression and generalized anxiety.
- Lack of Family Togetherness: Sometimes, you just feel that things are off with your family. Maybe you can trace it back to a specific event, or perhaps you have no idea where it came from; you just want it fixed.
THERAPY OPTIONS
Family issues may benefit from therapy sessions that can facilitate communication and cope with the circumstances the members are experiencing. Therapy can often be done individually or as a family unit.
Individual:
Individual therapy can be beneficial for those who need to process circumstances in an atmosphere where they do not feel judged or embarrassed expressing their thoughts. Such therapy can be helpful for those who may have trouble talking about certain things in front of other family members.
Family:
Family group therapy can be beneficial when the lines of communication need to be opened and when the family as a unit needs some guidance on working through events that have caused difficulty in day-to-day life.