Family therapy, also known as marriage and family therapy, family and couple’s therapy, couple and family therapy (or Couples’ Therapy), marriage and family therapy (or Marriage and Family Therapy), and family systems therapy is a relatively new branch of psychotherapy that deals specifically with married couples and families in intimate interpersonal relationships to foster change and growth. Couples who participate in this therapy tend to be at high risk for serious emotional, financial, and physical problems if they are in a relationship that ends abruptly, or if the relationship becomes unfulfilled due to emotional or other factors. The marriage and family therapy can help couples deal with these problems before they become serious and potentially harmful situations. It also helps them to deal with problems when they arise after the relationship has ended, such as unresolved conflict or resentment.
There are a number of approaches that may be used for family therapy sessions. One type is cognitive behavioral therapy, which aims to identify the specific causes of the problems between couples and families, and to find and resolve them. Another type is family therapy, which aims to develop better communication skills and interpersonal skills, in order to reduce conflicts between family members and help them to resolve their own issues. Some family therapy treatments may also seek to find alternative solutions to the conflicts and problems between family members and resolve them in a healthy and positive way.
Other approaches used for family therapy are family and marriage therapy for those suffering from a mental illness, developmental or educational disability, substance abuse, pre-adolescent children, and aging parents. The treatments can also be used to treat some symptoms of other mental illnesses and addictions, as well. Treatment may include one or more family members, cognitive behavioral therapy or family therapy. Family members may need to participate in multiple treatment sessions in order to yield optimal results. Multiple sessions of family therapy may also be required for various scenarios, depending on the needs of family members and the challenges they face in treating their loved ones who suffer from a mental illness or addiction.