Family counselling (A complete guide)

In this blog, we will be talking about family counselling, what goes on in family counselling, benefits of getting family counselling and more information about family counselling.

What is family counselling in practice?

Family counselling in counselling practice can help families with several issues that are affecting the peace of the family.

After all, starting a new family is always a bumpy ride but all you need is a little adjustment that will benefit you and your family. 

If you’re having these kinds of issues, you should look to family counselling where you and your family will have the chance to talk about your issues together which can give insight on how to solve the present conflict.

This kind of counselling aims to help families to have coping strategies on how to deal with family issues that can happen any time in the family.

Family counselling can be administered by any licensed and experienced mental health professional such as a clinical social worker, psychologist or licensed therapist.

This kind of counselling can oblige all family members to actively participate in healing or if one of the family members isn’t up for it, the counsellor can settle with the willing family members. 

When you look for a counsellor who specializes in family counselling, you need to find someone you can trust maybe choose a counsellor with a specialization such as cognitive-behavioural therapy.

This kind of counselling can also provide you with the outlet you need to let out those past relationships that may be affecting your toxic behaviours today.

What should you expect in family counselling?

You should expect to talk with your counsellor for family counselling in the first appointment.

In your first session, the counsellor will ask you what changed in your family dynamic.

This will then lead to the counsellor and you to choose the next course of action in family counselling.

You should also remind yourself that counselling will be an individual experience for every family based on your family’s present needs.

Overall, you’re going to expect family counselling to help develop your family relationship into a fruitful union.

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How do family counselling sessions work as a process?

Here are the following steps that are used for family counselling sessions.

Step 1

The counsellor will be meeting with the family together at the first meeting and speak what needs to be addressed and then the counsellor will meet each family member separately.

This counsellor will ask you what your opinion is to the issue and what have you observed about the problem.

Step 2

After the initial session, the counsellor for family counselling will identify the problems that will need to be addressed first and form a plan and goal on what needs to be achieved in counselling.

The counsellor will ask you if you have some periods where there are other issues that may have paved the way in the family while addressing the serious issue such as financial problems and the family with the counsellor will adjust the treatment plan accordingly.

Step 3

If the counsellor finds that one of your family members may be suffering from symptoms of mental illness that may have arisen from the family problem, the counsellor in family counselling will ask the family members to be there to support the loved one while he or she struggles in his or her mental illness and the counsellor can teach them some methods to make the affected family member minimize his or her symptoms.

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Step 4

If the family concern revolved around misunderstanding the communication between family members, the counsellor in family counselling will teach family members about how to communicate better with each other.

Step 5

If your family may be wallowing in another family issue, the counsellor in family counselling will let all family members remind them that they need each other to work together and reach a harmonious solution.

Your family can remind each other that you are better together by buying this picture on this website.

Family counselling is for…

Family counselling is for families who are having issues with significant changes in their lives such as divorce or birth.

It is also suitable for families who need support with how they are handling their family member with a mental health problem. 

Family counselling is also helpful for families who are having a hard time communicating and understanding the needs of one another.

This kind of counselling has also been real supporters for families who were currently dealing with high demands such as promotion and financial difficulties in the family.

How can family counselling help me individually and collectively?

Family counselling can help you individually and collectively by teaching you better communication styles and problem-solving skills when there are problems in the family.

After all, our families tend to have a hard time adapting to new changes that might create stress such as divorce or a new sibling. 

Family counselling creates an opportunity for each family member to support one another when they seem to lost all sense of hope with the distressing situation which isn’t all that distressing when each family member works together to solve the conflict.

You can learn more about the causes of family conflicts by buying this book on this website.

Family concerns that family counselling can help your family with

The following are the family concerns that family counselling can help your family with.

Parenting issues

Parents are often seeking family counselling to guide them with their children who have been showing signs of troublesome behaviours that they couldn’t handle or no normal parent could handle.

Young children tend to experience feelings of sadness, frustration, disappointment, confusion and anger can feel distressing and overwhelming.

If the parent finds out that their child’s behaviour has changed significantly, he or she needs to ponder on what may accentuate the change.

Drastic situations such as divorce, moving house, bullying and bereavement can create an impact on a child greatly and stress can develop when they don’t know how to overcome it.

If you might wait too long in bringing your children to proper care, you might find them even more distressing in the adolescent years.

This can happen since the symptoms of mental illness tend to peak at adolescence since there are emotional stress involved and may show itself when the child reaches 24 or 25.

You can learn more about how to properly parent your children by buying this book here.

Stepfamilies

If you have your experience of having stepfamilies, you would agree that there is a high degree of stress associated with this change.

No matter what the reason parents choose to separate, this situation can take effect on family life.

As a stepparent, you might find it complicated to fit into an existing close family. For many reasons, it can be hard to strike a connection with stepchildren.

It is always normal that step members will be having difficulties in getting adjusted to the existing family life. 

As a stepparent, you should be patient with yourself in trying to adjust to your new family.

Ageing parents

Children will become the carers of their parents who have grown older and unable to work in their professions.

In this case, children might find themselves taking care of financial issues that need to address regarding the care of their older parents.

With this conflict, siblings might find themselves in a constant argument in doing what’s best for their parents.

Some siblings may even try bringing up the argument about death and how they couldn’t handle it with their parents.

If children find themselves in this situation, they could try existential therapy with family counselling which can provide them a non-judgemental environment for this issue.

Advantages of family counselling

  • a family unit that functions more smoothly and more structured
  • more understanding and communication between family members
  • Appreciation and consideration for each other’s needs and perspectives
  • a greater capability to provide emotional support
  • better coping strategies
  • more able to deal with complications that arise
  • a capacity to deal with obstacles together such as illness or bereavement

How much is attending family counselling?

You can attend family counselling in the Relate charity. This kind of charity will be charging fees that can hold counselling sessions. 

The Relate charity recently charge 66.00 pounds for an initial consultation in family counselling.

Your money will be used for charity to help others who might not have enough to get mental health services. 

The Relate charity can also give you some discounts if you find yourself having a low budget and you are in need of family counselling and you only need to contact them before you get consulted.

Conclusion

In this blog, we have talked about family counselling, what goes on in family counselling, benefits of getting family counselling and more information about family counselling.

If you have any questions about family counselling, please let us know and the team will gladly answer your queries.

FAQs: family counselling

What are the most common problems in a family?

The most common problems in a family are moving to a new home and location, complications in parenting, divorce or separation of parents, unemployment of one or both parents, high demands at work and school, sickness or disability in a family member, addiction in one or more family members, and the loss of a family member.

Can you get free counselling?

Yes, you can get free counselling. You can free counselling in the NHS where you can specialized therapies as well such as for depression.

You don’t even have to ask your doctor to refer you to free counselling in this kind of service. 

What causes family problems?

Family problems are caused by differences ad varieties in opinions, beliefs, personalities, values or goals, change in family circumstances such as a new baby, blending families, divorce or separation, financial problems, issues relating to sexuality, stress, alcohol or drug use, and gambling complications.

What are the 4 causes of family conflict?

The 4 causes of family conflict are financial issues and jobs, child discipline, sibling disputes, and extended family members such as in-laws.

Financial complications can make the family have issues with meeting primary needs such as food and clothes.

Sibling disputes can make siblings feel competitive and will try to get the upper hand from the other at whatever cost.

What are some examples of family problems?

Some examples of family problems are grief in the family, substance abuse, financial instability, mental health problems, behavioural problems and academic concerns, adjustments that needed to be made due to divorce, and chronic illness.

Citations

Counselling Directory. Family issues.

Harley Therapy. Family Therapy in London.

Relate. Family Counselling.

The British CBT & Counselling Service. Counselling for Families / Systemic Therapy.