They are your GPS on the road to building a relationship. The therapists will help you determine where you’d like to travel, what route to take and even how to react if you encounter a pothole. Professionals are well-versed in the dynamics that exist within families. You can be guided through any emotional complications and conflicts – read here.
Imagine climbing the mountain with your entire family. Each family member is carrying their bag of emotions, memories and expectations. Consider your MFT a kind of guide. These people have studied weather patterns as well as mapped out various routes. Their job is to map out the trails. You must lead the group up to the top of the mountain safely and without anyone falling.
The family therapy is about more than just gossiping and complaining. The journey to a better relationship and healthier communication is what family therapy is all about. The goal is to understand why Dad always has a heavy backpack or your teenager acts so differently.
In sessions with MFTs, patterns in the family’s interactions may need to be explored. It may be that every discussion about money is followed by a door slamming. MFTs will assist you in identifying these patterns, and then disrupting them. The MFTs can create healthy new engagement patterns.
A therapist is also capable of shining a spotlight on those shadowy corners in family life which are often shrouded by silence. Topics like mental illness, substance abuse, and old traumas are the toughest. These challenges can be overcome by MFTs, as opposed to allowing them to fester.
Relationship architect MFTs work with couples that are thinking about marriage, or those who already have. These therapists assist couples in creating blueprints to build a strong future with mutual respect and love. The therapists provide tools for couples to build bridges, especially when they are isolated.
We can’t pretend that therapy does not work. There is no overnight cure. There’s much more to it than heart-to -hearts full of breakthroughs. Learning to argue better can help. It is possible to disagree productively. Learn how to be supportive of others, without sacrificing yourself.
Imagine wearing referee stripes when the tension is high. You might hear the therapist say “Let’s talk alternately” or, “What I am hearing is …””. The therapist can use these interventions to redirect conversation, preventing it from becoming a verbal conflict.
Older generations are faced with new challenges in the modern world. They may have not experienced them before. MFTs can help couples overcome these obstacles and keep their relationships strong.
The MFT can be of great help to those who have blended families. This is a more common situation than ever. As skilled negotiators they can blend different family backgrounds into one harmonious unit, while maintaining their distinct flavors.
Important to know that attending therapy does NOT mean your family members or you are wrong. Instead, consider it routine maintenance to your vehicle for the sake of your emotional wellbeing. It is important to have regular check-ups in order to prevent problems that are minor from turning into system failures.
Marriage and Family Therapists provide their clients with tools to help them not just survive, but to thrive through life’s challenges. Next time life seems like an erratic sea, a MFT can help. Sometime we need to be guided through the stormy weather.