Healthy relationships are essential to addiction recovery. Unfortunately, mental health and substance use can make it difficult for loved ones to support one another when they need it most. A family therapy program provides tools, support, education, and professional help for loved ones throughout recovery. If your family is struggling, know you are not alone. Family therapy and mental health treatment can help.
At A Better State, we help families reconnect through our outpatient family therapy and other recovery programs. Call us now at 781.412.1488 to learn how our family therapy programs and tips for family therapy can help your family recover together.
How Can Family Therapy and Mental Health Treatment Help Addiction Recovery?
Family therapy is a type of group therapy for loved ones. Tradition and alternative types of family therapy can serve conventional and non-conventional families, partners, children and parents, and roommates. Therapy sessions can vary and employ diverse techniques, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). Additionally, a certified family therapist considers the requirements and emotions of several loved ones simultaneously.
This approach places unique demands on the clients and the therapist, creating a safe, inclusive space for healing and recovery. This might include role-playing and techniques to help family members feel seen and heard. Family therapy aims to help the family as a system, not individuals, overcome substance use, addiction, and mental health struggles.
Some benefits of family therapy can include:
- Increased ability to recognize and change toxic behaviors
- Learn how to manage mental health, and addiction triggers together
- Developing active listening, increased empathy, and improved communication
- Increased stress tolerance and stress reduction
- Relapse prevention techniques and tools for stress and anxiety management
- Adaptable treatment plans for an affordable approach to psychiatric care
Family therapy can be affordable for multiple people to receive treatment simultaneously. In many cases, family dynamics can impede mental health and addiction treatment. Working together can help loved ones understand one another’s needs and self-advocate.
Five Family Therapy Tips
Family therapy can offer everyone the support they need to grow, change, and thrive together. Here are five tips for family therapy:
- Don’t push—if a loved one isn’t resiting family therapy, now may not be the right time
- Speak calmly
- Practice active listing
- Prepare before therapy
- Practice tools from therapy and do your homework
Preparing for therapy, doing recommended exercises, and committing to healing together can decrease resentment and help loved ones move past addiction in healthy, productive ways.
What to Keep in Mind When Preparing for Family Therapy
No matter the goal of family therapy, it’s important to remember that everyone is trying to help. It can be difficult and uncomfortable at times, but it’s worth it in the end. Here are some things to keep in mind before attending family therapy:
- Be willing to listen
- Come prepared for your sessions
- Take family therapy
- Be open and communicative
- Come with an open mind
- Focus on the long-term goal
- Commit to healing together
Family therapy is an integral part of addiction recovery. If you’re ready for professional help, A Better State offers traditional and alternative outpatient family therapy programs. Working together as a family can create a healthier, more balanced home life beyond addiction treatment. Call us now at 781.412.1488 to get on the path to healing together.
Learn More Tips for Family Therapy and How to Support Addiction Recovery
Finding the right therapist and sticking with therapy are keys to improving relationships and family dynamics. By working with a CBT family therapist, loved ones can recognize and change harmful belief behaviors. They can gain insight and understanding into addiction and mood disorders and how to manage mental health. Through regular sessions, loved ones improve communication and overall health.
If you and your loved ones are ready to make lasting changes and recover from addiction or co-occurring disorders, the team at A Better State can help. With individual, group, and family therapy programs, our holistic intensive outpatient programs (IOPs) and partial hospitalization programs (PHPs) help clients across the New Hampshire area recover together. With evidence-based and alternative therapies, loved ones at A Better State get the support they need without straining their schedules. Our Hudson, New Hampshire, treatment center is here to help you, no matter the stage of recovery.
Start Family Therapy Today and See the Difference at A Better State
Reach out to us if you’re ready to learn more about family therapy. A Better State is a judgment-free zone where you can feel safe discussing your family’s challenges. We know that it can be difficult to confront these issues, but we also know that family therapy is an incredibly effective way to improve communication and strengthen relationships.
We offer family therapy services for families of all types. Whether you’re dealing with addiction, mental health concerns, divorce, or anything else, we can help. We understand that every family is different, and we tailor our approach to meet your needs. If you’re ready to make a change, we’re here to help. Contact our staff directly at 781.412.1488 to learn more about outpatient treatment options and tips for family therapy.
