What is family therapy?

Family therapy is a type of therapy involving families and those in close relationships. The focus is on the group as a system, how each member impacts the whole, and addressing any psychological, behavioral, and emotional issues present. Outcomes of this work can include, but isn’t limited to: improved communication, clearer expectations, resolved conflicts, defined boundaries, forgiveness, skills for handing current and future adversity, and more resilient relationships.  

At Santé Center for Healing, our families experience a three-part Family Therapy Series as an opportunity to engage with Santé staff, understand addiction and see how their loved one is doing in their early weeks of recovery. Self-care and supporting oneself while a loved one in treatment is stressed. The most personalized family session is a two-day Family Intensive customized to the loved one in treatment and their family. It is a safe place for families and their loved one to talk through events leading up to treatment, better understand addiction, share hopes and fears, set healthy boundaries, and make a plan for what happens after treatment. These crucial conversations are guided and contribute to family healing. 

How can family therapy help?

Family therapy provides a safe environment guided by a professional to talk through difficult topics, experiences and feelings. It is a time to better understand each other and forge a path forward. At Santé, this space allows those in active addiction or early recovery to talk about their addiction and it allows families to process and share what it has been like to love someone in active addiction. Family counseling also helps because it includes psychoeducation about how to navigate addiction and the winding path to healing. 

The advantages of family therapy differ for each who experience it but may encompass: 

• establishing robust boundaries 
• enhancing communication skills 
• clarifying each individual’s role within the family unit 
• enriching family relationships and dynamics 
• equipping family members with resilience and coping strategies 
• addressing dysfunctional interactions 
• boosting the family’s ability to solve problems effectively.

What happens during family therapy?

At Santé Center for Healing, during family therapy we talk about addiction, how to talk about addiction as a family/couple, healthy boundaries, family values, family roles and rules, co-dependency, rebuilding trust, repairing relationships, goals for the future, and how to support each other in recovery. Typically, these sessions last about 50 minutes and occur weekly. 

 What questions should I ask my family therapist?

• What is your treatment approach?
• What do you expect from me and the members of my family?
• Do all members of the family have to attend sessions? Who should attend? What would prevent someone from participating? 
• What is your educational background?
• Are you licensed?
• Do you take insurance?
• Do you have experience working with addiction?
• Will you collaborate with my/our individual therapist(s)?
• What are our goals?
• How often will we meet?
• How many sessions do you anticipate?
• What happens in between sessions?
• What other resources do you suggest for us?

Why Experience Family Therapy at Santé Center for Healing?

Not all treatment centers offer family services for those with loved ones in active addiction, but at Santé we know how important family support is in recovery!  Families also need support. While their loved one is in treatment, they are often navigating the world without support. We offer resources and support to families because they are also in their own recovery process. 

Families have a lot of influence with their loved one in active addiction, and we want to help them do this in a healthy way. At Santé, families get to connect weekly and see the progress their loved one is making.. We also help families understand the process of treatment, how they can help while their loved one when they come home, and what to expect at each step of early recovery. 

Why Santé for those who Suffer from Addiction?

Santé Center for Healing provides integrity-driven, evidence-based, and personalized long-term recovery customized for those suffering from substance use disorders, mental health, trauma, compulsive sexual behavior disorder, co-occurring disordered eating and other compulsive behaviors. When you love someone in active addiction, you play a crucial role in establishing boundaries, outlining support available and discussing expectations for recovery; let Santé help you, your family and friends get there. Founded in 1996, Santé’s mission is to provide long-term recovery because left untreated, addiction is a fatal disease.    

Have Questions? Make sure to reach out to our Masters’-level intake counselors at 866.238.3154

 

Image by Freepik.

Follow us on social media for more: