Family therapy activities can be great for a recovering addict and their family to take part in. Families operate as a unit, and when ties become strained for one reason or another, family therapy is a great way to become closer again, to help one another out, and to work better by working together.
What is Family Therapy?
Family therapy did not become popular in the West until recently. It was first practiced in adolescent cases and has spread to help people of all ages struggling with family ties. The idea is that everyone affects each other; you can’t truly treat the patient unless you get input from and treat those around them.
Putting a patient that has severe anxiety back into a situation where they are hollered at all day is not going to be suitable for the patient. In this case, the family would look at their own issues as well. In the case of addiction, family therapy revolves around the education of the family in matters that affect the patient. Your therapist may also act as a mediator to help take care of sensitive issues.
Family Therapy Techniques
Family therapy will be conducted in a manner that is conducive to the situation at hand. Many family therapy activities can include behavioral therapy and cognitive therapy approaches. Here is a list of common family therapy ideas.
Structural
This technique works to make the family structure stronger and more supportive of each other. Here the therapist is looking to strengthen family ties.
Strategic
Here the therapist will take on the leading role and instruct the family to interact with each other in different ways while not in therapy. Here the family learns new ways of communicating, allowing quieter members of the family to be heard.
Systemic
Here the therapist acts more as a moderator. It allows family members to explore issues and ties with each other in a safe place.
Bowenian
This type of family therapy technique is for family patients that are not able to interact with their family members for one reason or another. In this case, the therapist and patient aim to triangulate family member interactions and teach the patient to separate themselves from damaging family ties.
Family Therapy Activities
In addition to the techniques, some common family therapy activities take place when you seek family therapy in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Here is a list of some favorite activities:
- Pass the Stick: family members express their feelings about a particular subject or event while holding the stick uninterrupted
- Get to Know Each Other: this is a round table conversation where members share things about themselves that no one may know at the time, building trust
- Gratitude: this is another round table conservation where the family shares things that they are grateful for in other members of the family; this builds rapport and trust between family members.
If you think that your family would benefit from seeking to do family therapy activities in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, the Serenity House is your place. The Serenity House specializes in family therapy for families of addicts. Call the Serenity House today 866.294.5306 for more information!
