Category: Counseling & Therapy

Many people believe in the success of couples therapy. This form of counseling has become popular in different countries all over the world. Married couples are often led to believe that the only way to solve the issues in their relationships is to find an excellent therapist, but there are many other strategies and resources that can help couples navigate the challenges of married life. While this may be true, there is no guarantee that it will offer a hundred percent success. As such, it is logical to conclude that it could also fail at some point.…

Promoting Mental Health During The Pandemic

Family therapy is a helpful tool for strengthening bonds within your family. This treatment aims to improve communication, strengthen the family’s decision-making skills, and solve relationship problems.

Family therapy deals with family dynamics and relations. Although different from individual treatment, it can still work alongside.

For example, a patient going through therapy for their eating habits will need their family’s support. With the whole family attending the session, the therapist can address external factors affecting the patient’s behavior.

Therapists typically use family systems therapy. With this, they treat the family as a single unit. Several approaches fall under this type of therapy.

The approaches include strategic family therapy, structural family therapy, and integrational family therapy. It is the role of the therapist to identify which of these approaches suit a specific family best.

Although family therapy is a common and beneficial practice, there are still misconceptions about it. Some may think therapy is only for broken or suffering families.

But in reality, families go through therapy for many reasons. Some seek family mental health help to address trauma or grief. Meanwhile, others need assistance for children with ADHD or teenagers suffering from substance abuse. Still, some would seek help for eating disorders and other mental illnesses.

At the same time, family therapists can also help adults going through financial troubles. But then, some families also seek therapy to improve their family dynamics. Some may perceive these issues negatively, but these situations are all part of human nature.

Other pushing points may also include significant changes, like a child moving away for school or a blended family coming together.

Additionally, some people who know about family therapy may still have far too many unanswered questions. And the thing is, it may be challenging to gather up all answers in one reading.

Below are FAQs regarding family therapy to inform you and clear any misconceptions you may have about it. Here, you will also learn about what you can expect at a family therapy clinic, including session duration and costs.

You can also expect an overview of the advantages and disadvantages of this therapy to guide you.

What do family therapists do?

Family therapists help mend relationships within your household. By looking at each member’s individual role and power dynamics, family therapists can improve your family member’s mental health.

They can help treat depression, anxiety, and other psychological problems caused by or related to your family. Although they may conduct individual interviews or sessions, family therapists apply a family-centric approach to therapy.

How much does an MFT charge per hour?

A marital and family therapist usually charges around $100 per session. However, the cost of therapy ranges from $70 to $250 per hour. Thus, rates may vary depending on your MFT. Some family therapists accept insurance, so make sure your provider also covers costs for therapy.

Is an MFT a psychologist?

MFTs and clinical psychologists are both part of the core mental health professionals but are different in their ways. Before passing as MFTs, they must attain a master’s degree and receive at least two years of supervised clinical training.

On the other hand, clinical psychologists must accomplish a doctorate and train for at least a year. Aside from educational and training background, an MFT is specialized in treating mental disorders within the context of a relationship.

In comparison, clinical psychologists focus more on treating conditions with an individual-focused approach.

What typically happens in family therapy?

First, the MFT asks what problems are bothering your family and how each member views these situations. The MFT will then interview each member to determine the individual roles in the family. By learning about these respective roles, your family therapist will understand your familial relations.

Aside from helping you in your weaknesses, MFTs also find your family’s strengths so you can maintain such habits. Your therapist will then provide you with health treatment plans and serve as a mediator for conflict within the family.

Can therapists treat family members?

Family therapists treat family members by addressing the symptoms associated with mental conditions. At times, solving family crises can help improve the mental health conditions of family members.

However, there are instances when factors outside of the family cause mental health conditions. Thus, these family members with other mental health disorders can seek help from clinical psychologists instead.

What are the disadvantages of family therapy?

During family therapy, there is a tendency to have differing interpretations of a session. This disparity can sometimes lead to further conflicts, which may add difficulty to mending familial relationships.

In some situations, family therapy may teach younger children to bottle up feelings and thoughts instead of sharing them. However, with a proper approach, these disadvantages can be avoided altogether.

Like most treatment methods, family therapy has both advantages and disadvantages to your family dynamic. At the onset, family therapy brings to light all the complications at home to the point of creating tension.

What is the difference between family therapy and individual therapy?

Family therapy focuses on social factors such as communication and relationships in addressing your mental health problems. On the other hand, individual therapy emphasizes self-esteem, personality building, mindfulness, and different cognitive-behavioral approaches.

Another difference lies in the goals of each treatment. Both therapy approaches aim to improve the patients’ mental health, but family therapy also focuses on fixing your familial relationship.

Family therapy and individual therapy can improve the mental health even when they differ in the treatment approach.

How does family systems therapy work?

Family systems therapy views the family as a single emotional unit. This kind of treatment speaks about how each family member’s behavior is affected by its origins, functions, and relationship.

Family systems therapy thus determines how the family dynamic affects each person. By knowing how the family dynamic works, families can work together to control their situations better.

Should family members have the same therapist?

There are some benefits to having the same therapist, especially if family members need medical attention due to problems arising at home. However, it is not always the case.

In some situations, it can also be unhealthy for family members to have the same therapist. Having the same therapist can create some tension and increase the risks of confidentiality breaches.

Censoring parts of a story can also become useless if your other family member shares the same tale unfiltered.

How long do therapy sessions usually last?

Individual therapy sessions usually last 40-60 minutes, while group therapies may last up to 90 minutes. Consequently, family therapy can take up 50-55 minutes of your time.

Family therapy sessions also tend to be shorter as compared to other types of treatments. Family therapies usually last 12 sessions. However, some families can extend for more periods depending on their specific situation.

Which type of therapy …

Talking about marriage, we often believe that others have been living much better-wedded relationships. We always assume that financially wealthy people have it all – happy matrimony, sex, and family when there is money. Well, it is not always like that.

Did we overlook something? Is it superficial or misguided to equate a substantial bank account with genuine happiness? While money can provide temporary satisfaction and improve certain aspects of our lives, it does not guarantee lasting fulfillment.

I met Sally and Richard Langley when we moved to their neighborhood a few years back. They have three kids, all grown up, but they had an unusual setup. All of their adult children live with them, and each has a husband or wife. I thought that such a situation could only occur in a film, with characters portrayed by Chris Cooper as Harry Allen, Rachel McAdams, and Pierce Brosnan, or in narratives found on websites or external links related to indie movies or music. However, this turned out to be a true story.

I think it’s because of their culture and traditions – they’re Filipino, and from what I’ve heard, Filipinos are clannish, and the parents are relevant enablers. They think it’s their responsibility to support the union of their 25-year-old son, whose spouse just gave birth.

“Typically, a one-time sexual encounter is not as devastating as repeated infidelities or a long-term affair.” — Robert Weiss Ph.D., MSW

I wasn’t going to judge their situation as if I were an audience watching their lives unfold, but yes, Sally was my closest friend in a world of wealth. They can afford to feed 15 people every day, but is this one necessary role? Does it make sense for them to continue playing saints for everyone and pay for everything in their household?  There was a moment Sally cried her eyes out last year because she was hurt, and I overheard her talking with her sister on the phone. While she loved witnessing her children’s journeys unfold and showering them with affection, she wished for them to be independent, gain knowledge, and achieve success on their own terms. I also know for a fact that the husband has multiple partners outside of their committed relationship. Well, it’s not a “mistress,” and it’s a “master” since Richard is a closeted gay man.

They look happy on the outside, doing crazy and fun things together, but they’re keeping secrets from each other. Richard is intelligent but gay, and Sally didn’t want to continue taking care of their grown-up kids. I mean, what else are they concealing in the carefully constructed narrative they present as their shared existence? How can one be expected to be genuinely contented in a committed partnership enveloped in trouble and lies?

When Things Aren’t What It Seems

Here are Ellie and Carl. They seem like the epitome of a perfect partnership, having spent nearly 25 years together. From what Carl said, they started young and entered into a committed partnership at 19. The couple has six children, (oh,they’ve certainly been keeping busy), and their video library business is booming.

The house is perfect. No chair is out of place and everything else is in order. Moreover, Carl would continuously post quality pictures with precise edits of Ellie and the kids on social media – saying how much he loves his wife and that she is the most beautiful woman in the world. That’s their way of expressing love. Who wouldn’t melt with that statement of “love,” right?

“Among couples today, cybersex and Internet infidelity are leading causes of divorce.” — Samantha Smithstein Psy.D.

I was so wrong. One day, while I was waiting for Ellie at their home, Carl cornered me against the wall — like a scary scene in a movie. He thought ahead that my comments of “You look so happy!” or “I’m totally jealous!” on his website posts meant that ‘I wanted him. It’s so absurd.  How can he claim to love his relationship when he preys on any woman that provides harmless comments on his Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter? I’m pretty sure there are others, and Carl is a God in physical appearance with a head full of curls and seemingly impeccable manners. Some women may not be as principled as me. Oh, poor woman! And she always asks me if I saw his flavor of the month like they are lyrics from a rap genre song. She knows! How sad.
Work On Yourself

Don’t Let Lies Ruin You As A Person

I find all of it disturbing. While she loved witnessing her children’s journeys unfold and showering them with affection, she wished for them to be independent, gain knowledge, and achieve success on their own terms. You’ll only realize the true reality when you’re struggling with complications.I think what I’m determined to say here is that there’s no perfect union. Cash can’t link you to beautiful partnerships. It has to be you.You need to make an effort to make your own side of the fence greener so you and your partner can be on the same page. Otherwise, everything — from distance to emotions to spirit to even the tone of voice — can inject poison into it and result in unhappiness.

“Forgiveness may eventually come, but forgetting never does. The matrimony is changed forever, innocence and dreams are lost.” — Michele Weiner-Davis LCSW

Finally
If you forget the values, principles, and morals in living, then where will you be? Can you continue being unfaithful forever? Will you be able to conceal your sexuality until the end? Do you believe that you can continuously suppress your true feelings? You can’t. That’s why you have to be honest with yourself if you want to truly experience happiness in your committed relationship.

(Remember: Bottling up everything can cause significant mental damage, and if you’re at that point right now, understand that you may benefit from seeking professional help, such as online counseling.)

FAQs

What Makes Happy Marriages?

Effective communication, mutual respect, trust, shared values, and emotional support are key factors that contribute to happy partnerships.

Why Does Love Diminish After Entering Into a Commitment?

Love may diminish after entering into a commitment due to various factors such as complacency, lack of communication, unresolved conflicts, and neglecting the emotional needs of both partners.  Additionally, the demands of everyday routines, external stressors, and the passage of time can also contribute to a gradual decline in the intensity of romantic love. However, with effort, open communication, and a commitment to nurturing the relationship, love can be rekindled and grow stronger over time in a committed partnership.

What Is The Most Challenging Year Of Your Marital Journey?

The most challenging year of a marital journey can vary for each couple, as it depends on various factors and individual …

“I didn’t know that my bubbly, fun-loving, and larger-than-life wife would ever have an anxiety disorder. She was a positive person, in her old life, before the “incident” happened to her. She was mugged right outside our home one night almost two years ago, and the animal also stabbed her in the belly. My wife was carrying our 4-month-old baby inside her at that time and lost him. I was too selfish to believe that she’d be fine just because she told me not to worry about her.”…

Guide to couple therapy?

“Safety and trust in relationships go hand-in-hand: Safety lays the foundation for trust, and trust over time morphs into safety.” — Robert Taibbi L.C.S.W.

Couple Therapy Guide

Why is there a need for many couples therapy even for couples in healthy relationships, according to a couples counselor? What are some guides to succeeding in marriage help? Is the guide to couples therapy effective for all couples or just one partner?

Based on some BetterHelp articles, even those couples who have great relationships go into therapy just to learn and look for advice on how to strengthen their bonds as a couple. However, not all couples have found it easy to begin couples therapy.

Before you and your partner decide to be mediated with a couples therapy expert, here are some questions you can ask yourself to make sure that it will work for you as a couple.

“Maybe other specific issues of trust, safety, or security have come up that haven’t been thoroughly resolved. Couples work who struggle with sex are often the least likely to talk about their struggles thinking it’s a no-win situation.” — Sam Louie MA, LMHC

The wisest time to seek therapy help and help from a couples therapy expert is when you and your spouse can’t find concrete solutions to your relationship issues, or if you have decided that your marriage goals are impossible to achieve. Do not wait for the whole misunderstanding to blow up before you go into couples therapy, and violence comes in. When this happens, there might not be any chance for reconciliation at all. Reach out to a couples therapy professional near you.

“I’m having a hard time convincing my husband to go to couples therapy. He doesn’t believe in couples therapy.”

When seeking couples counseling, it is important to find the right therapist who understands and respects your cultural background. During the first session, discuss your relationship issues and goals with the therapist. The therapist can help you and your partner improve communication and resolve any unresolved conflicts. The therapist serves as a neutral party and can offer objective advice. Psychology Today is a great resource to find licensed therapists who accept various insurance plans.

It is typical for a husband to be less interested in couples therapy than a wife. So if you think that you need to see some couples counselors for your marriage problems early, one way to involve your partner is to tell him that he must be there with you, which is true. Also, your partner will have a hard time arguing with you if you tell him that you want to know how to make good things become the best. Don’t focus on the negative things that you are about to divulge to the expert! Couples therapy might be the solution for you. Having an effective guide for successful and guided couples therapy can definitely benefit you in the long run.

 

Choosing the right professional for your couples therapy sessions can be taxing. But you can follow a guide to make it easier.

Furthermore, you’re not obliged to sign up immediately. In fact, most family therapists have free counseling services via phone interviews, so take advantage of it. Tell him a little about the problem and observe if it is something he has extensive knowledge of.

If the couples therapy expert talks fast, maybe he’s more interested in getting to the end of the therapy session! Find a sense of connection between you and your therapist.

Understanding Couple Counseling Treatment

How Effective Is This Couples Therapy?

Indeed, one guide to successful couples therapy is to find a therapist that can be flexible and easy to talk with.

If you’re lucky to get an initial face-to-face couples therapy consultation, the better. You can determine if both you and your partner can get honest and unbiased explanations from your therapist. You’ve got to listen to your instincts. This is part of an effective direction for couples therapy sessions.

Moreover, marriage and family therapists specialize in providing guidance to couples seeking to improve the relationship through family therapy. By addressing the relationship’s health and encouraging positive communication, licensed marriage, and family therapists aim to resolve conflicts and create healthier relationships. Based on research findings, they often recommend a combination of couples and individual therapy to address poor communication and personal issues.

In couples therapy, the person-centered approach of therapists like Sue Johnson and Helen LaKelly Hunt can greatly benefit clients. Through their techniques, couples can improve their relationship by focusing on the positive aspects of their connection. Therapists who prioritize the needs and emotions of a person can guide couples toward a more fulfilling relationship. By highlighting the clients’ strengths and encouraging them to communicate openly, they can help couples reach a point of mutual understanding and respect.

Is there a perfect guide to a successful emotionally focused therapy? Will imago relationship therapy or solution-focused therapy also work for his or her partner?

The first determinant of whether guided couples therapy or emotionally focused therapy is working or not is, after a few sessions, you begin to feel warmer and more comfortable with your partner and reduce your negative feelings. This means that your therapist has effectively broken into some barriers that you both have for each other, probably due to the constant arguments and misunderstandings, and helps make the relationship healthy.

“Trust requires a willingness to accept less than 100 percent certainty — otherwise it would be called verification.” — 0 PsyD, CST

Finally, if you are not comfortable with your couples therapists, it is wise to just look for someone that you share warmth with, someone that you and your partner can fully trust to guide you toward healthy relationship skills. Additionally, if your certified sex therapist or family therapist is a professional one, then he must inform you if you seek couples therapy or marriage counseling from mental health professionals with great relationship satisfaction and poor emotional health and communication skills, and it’s still not working after the first few sessions with a couples therapist.

FAQs

What Is The Most Effective Form Of Relationship Counseling?
What Do You Talk About During The Relationship Counseling Process?
What Do I Need To Know Before Starting Relationship Counseling?
What Not To Say In Relationship Counseling?
What Questions Do Marital Therapists Ask?

Does Relationship Counseling Make Things Worse?

What Is The Difference Between Marriage Treatment And Relationship Treatment?

What Is The Success Rate Of Relationship Treatment?

What Type Of Counseling Is Best For Married?

What Is The Most Common Problem Addressed In Marital Treatment?

Can Marital Treatment Fix Toxic Relationships?

How Do You Fix A Broken Relationship?

Where Should Marital Treatment Start?

What Is Gottman Method Relationship Counseling?

How Can I Start Relationship Treatment At Home?

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Have you ever wondered what men want?

Is there a secret to how can a woman keep the man of their dreams?

According to counseling online experts, being in a healthy and affectionate relationship can make anyone feel as if they are richer than the richest man on the planet or more handsome than celebrities like Ali Davis, Jamal Barry, and Adam Shankman. Every problem seems too easy to overcome in a man’s world. Nothing can make a woman feel blue as well when you know that you will come home to the man who loves you with everything he has and more.

When it comes to what men want, it can be hard to generalize. But if we look at some common themes, we might discover a few key elements. For instance, many men appreciate a good soundtrack – whether it’s in a movie, TV show, or video game. They may also value the ability to edit and fine-tune their work or hobbies, like a husband tinkering with a car or a star athlete honing their skills. And of course, family is often a top priority, whether it’s the success of a son or the support of a spouse.

Despite the critics and the odds, men tend to appreciate the credits they earn and the recognition they receive for their hard work. And when they’re truly passionate about something, they’ll stick with it through thick and thin – fueled by a fire that never fades.

“While there is no shortage of marital dissolutions in this country due to affairs or some other kind of wrongdoing, those that end for “no apparent reason,” really throw us. It’s as if we need there to be a reason so we can feel a sense of control over our own environment.” — Susan Pease Gadoua L.C.S.W.

However, is there something you can do if it happens to be a far-fetched dream for you right now? Especially, if your reality is that the man you thought wanted to settle down with you forever has suddenly shown little or no interest in committing to you. The pain you must be feeling is immeasurable now. However, if you genuinely want him in your life, you do not have to give up at once. There is still hope, my male colleagues. It only goes by the name “What Men Secretly Want.” Let’s not mistake it for the funny movie of almost the same movie title starring Taraji P Henson, which was almost like a gender-swapped remake film.

The movie is about Ali Davis (Taraji P Henson) who is a successful sports agent who’s constantly boxed out by her male colleagues. After a wild night out with her girls, she mysteriously gains the ability to hear men’s thoughts. With her newfound ability, Ali looks to outsmart her colleagues as she races to sign the next basketball superstar, but the lengths she has to go to will put her relationship with her best friends and new love interest to the test.

In a nutshell, this book is supposed to guide you in becoming irresistible and more attractive. You will be what men want in no time.

In addition, the highly anticipated release date of the new comedy “Brandon Romance” is just around the corner, and fans can’t wait to watch the hilarious antics of the star-studded cast. Joe, Kevin, and Nick bring their A-game to the screen, delivering a memorable performance that’s sure to leave audiences in stitches while they watch and review it.

Throughout the relationship program, a man gains the ability to understand how a man’s brain works, how he sees a possible coupling, and what makes some of them hold back when things are about to get serious between you two. You will also be led to a brighter path in which you can identify the right words to use when talking to the person and be at his wavelength, and determine their needs. Sometimes, after all the studying, the problem is not because you have made a mistake but because you do not see each other eye to eye.

The movie, “Johnson’s Family,” directed by one top director, and the script written by a talented team, tells the story of a father, played by Johnson, who juggles his duties as a boss with his responsibilities as a family man. The trailer has generated a lot of buzz, with viewers excited to see Johnson and Olivia in action. Early reviews suggest the film’s message of family values is a strong one. If you haven’t already heard about “Johnson’s Family,” be sure to mark your calendar.

Answering The Question Of What Men Want

What men want from women is respect over any great Facebook account popularity, dollar bills, amazing sex content story, stardom, etc. No one hears it often, but it proves to be the case. Therefore, the program can explain everything that has to be known about The Respect Principle. You can start realizing quickly when you pick it up online at the soonest possible time. What matters is that you now have a chance of understanding “what men want” and connecting to your partner more deeply, thanks to James Bauer.

Who Is James Bauer?

He is a relationship consultant, a psychology student, and yes, the author of the What Men Secretly Want program. The idea to make this course came to him when some of his lady friends asked him for advice on how to practically make their budding or current relationship thrive by knowing the thought of it. Basically, they want to have the ability to hear men’s thoughts, akin to a plot one might find in a comedy, perhaps something starring Taraji P. Henson as Ali Davis, a sports agent who gains the ability to hear what men think.

James’ primary goal for writing every page of what men want is to help as many women as he can to be one with the guy that they love by giving psychic pointers on how they can succeed in reaching the guy on an emotional level. This approach has received various reviews, becoming a sign of its impact.

The teachings from the relationship program:

1. How To Respond To A Man Who Refuses To Talk

A man usually does not remain quiet for no reason at all. Knowing how you should react during such a situation will save you from doing something that will most likely cause more destruction to your bond. Similarly, you should also know the reason why your man does not listen when you use a particular tone with them, perhaps influenced by characters like those portrayed by Aldis Hodge or Tracy Morgan in films.

“Furthermore, beyond the generic problems that drove spouses apart, there were crises that jeopardized the very foundation of marriages, such as infidelity.” — Michele Weiner-Davis

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