How to Heal Family Conflicts
Family conflicts are to be expected. Whatever be the cultural background family conflicts are bound to happen in any family. Conflicts are not bad or wicked in themselves they only turn bad when conflicts end up in tearing families apart.
Families are a source of happiness, joy and often give meaning for the necessity of existence. But at times problems or conflicts convert these very fountains of joy to pools of misery. It is precisely at these times the need of therapy is felt.
A point to be remembered here is that some families have no conflicts at all. Absence of conflicts can never be a criterion for declaring a family to be happy family. A family can be called a happy family when the different members start trusting, understanding and loving one another. And if such an environment is created by a therapist then the sessions with him have been truly successful.
Meaning of family therapy
Family therapy is a type of psychotherapy. It is a short term course that helps the different members of the family in resolving conflicts, clearing up misunderstandings and fostering better relationships. Therapy over a short span of six to seven months resolves long fought battles within the family arena.
Selection of a family therapist
The prime criterion for selection is to decide upon a therapist who is licensed and it is better if he has advanced training and has a masters’ or a doctoral degree. The fees they charge and the health insurance cover are the other vital questions that need consideration before zeroing in on the right therapist.
Necessity of family therapy
- Death or disease of loved ones
- Divorce
- Stressful environment at work that has a direct bearing on the family
- Emotional and financial problems
- Lack of parenting skills
- Addiction to drugs or alcohol
People who are deeply troubled and unhappy due to the above mentioned problems can seek the help of a family therapist to handle problems and tackle them more effectively.
How does family therapy work?
Family therapy works by involving all the members of the family. The therapist meets them jointly in some session while in others he has a talk with each member individually. Some sessions are also conducted with school teachers, health care providers and other social service agencies.
Family therapy should aim at resolving conflicts amicably.But resolving conflicts should not be based compromises. Compromising works at solving the issue only temporarily.Often compromises lead to deeper future conflicts.
Family therapy is effective enough to be ordered by law in lieu of punishment in certain cases. Teenagers in trouble and abusive partners or parents are often given the option of family therapy or punishment. Many have wisely selected therapy and benefited greatly. A word of caution here, family therapy should never be used as a form of treatment for depression or other forms of mental disorders. Family therapies only work on helping members cope with such situations, they are not a remedy in themselves.