FAMILY THERAPY
AND PARENTING
Families make up the basic building blocks of our identiy and character. Our families can uplift us and provide us with a source of strength, while other times they can inspire us to forge our own paths. Dr. Backs understands that the dynamics within a family can be as strong as they can be fragile.
The number of situations associated with parenting and families is endless, It can be challenging to watch family members struggle, and in most cases, you may not know how to resolve the problem. Seeking support from a mental health professional can help parents and families develop acceptance and skills to repair relationships that may seem unsalvageable. If your family is going through a rough patch, whether the issue itself stems from a lack of understanding between those involved, sibling conflict, or developmental disagreements with a child, a difficult situation can have an effect on the entire family. Family therapy, can be helpful when problems arise and can help restore and improve communication.
Some situations that may benefit from family counseling include:
● If a family is going through a loss, seperation, divorce, domesitc violence, substance abuse, or litigation related issues.
● Interparental issues or conflicts which spill into the family system causing co-parenting issues. Often requiring the need for Parent Facilitation.
● Unresolved issues leading to children resisting contact with a parent.
● Parenting issues with a child or teen experiencing behavior issues such as anger outbursts or resisting a relationship with a parent or sibling.
PARENTING:
The number of situations associated with parenting and families is endless. Oftentimes parenting and family issues are intertwined. Treatment methods vary and will depend on an individual or family situation. The healing process may focus on improving communication between family members, as well as finding healthy ways of resolving a conflict. Setting clear boundaries and communicating effectively as a parental unit can set a good example for your children and/or your spouse. If a child is suffering from a genetic disorder or a mental health condition, these are topics that can be addressed with family or individual counseling. Couples counseling is effective at supporting parents in child-rearing.
You don’t have to face parenting and family challenges alone. Seek help from a qualified therapist or a professional support group to gain some much-needed perspective that will allow you to effectively work through the problems at hand.
1
How can family therapy help?
Family therapy can be used in addition to individual treatment. The goal is to improve relationships and improve methods of communication and conflict resolution. Families are a unique ecosystem, and issues affecting one member of a family can reverberate and affect the whole unit. Additional benefits of this type of therapy are that in some instances, the sessions can heal emotional wounds in a short period of time.
Being a parent carries a lot of responsibility, and the process can be difficult at times. Whether you are married or single, you may have feelings as though you are on your own, especially if you are dealing with a difficult situation or behavior issues with your child. It’s important to address these problems, and seeking the help of a therapist and/or parent support group can alleviate the stress.
2
How is it accomplished?
Sometimes a parent needs guidance when reinforcing rules and setting boundaries for a child. If a person is going through a divorce, this can affect a child or children involved. Each of these issues can affect a family unit, and it's important that you don’t weather the storm alone. Parent education and training can assist with improving parenting skills, as well as relationships between the parent and child.
3
Why is parenting support necessary?
● Therapy can be in the form of parent facilitation, co-parent education, one-on-one sessions with a therapist, or may involve family therapy. Theraputic support can be helpful if you have a young child who is going through some kind of developmental or genetic disorder.
● Parenting support can take the form of group therapy which involves meeting with other parents to discuss your child’s behaviors and offer advice to one another.
4
What does parenting support look like?
Dr. Backs will meet individually with all family members to identify needs, develop a treatment plan and to set goals which maximize healthy outcomes.
For parents involved in the legal system parent support can also be in the form of Parent Facilitation which helps parents cooperate with each other in order to find a mutual agreement on issues of co-parenting. This process is typically court ordered and the results can be reported to attorneys and to the court.
