Many couples seek out marriage therapy as a way to strengthen their marriages and their families. Combining both marriage and family therapy works at targeting both marital and family issues at the same time. Input from a trained professional can lead to assistance and guidance that many families are searching for. Seeking out help is the first step in improving lifestyles and restoring a sense of normalcy in the home life.
Reasons for Therapy
There are many reasons as to why people seek out therapy. It could be spousal arguments or disagreements, a death in the family, illness, a divorce issue or a crisis among a family. Many therapists who specialize in both marital and family counseling can focus on bringing together the issues that the family as a whole are facing. This could stem from a child with ADHD or behavioral problems that are affecting other children, infidelity or it could be a teenage pregnancy that the entire family has to deal with. All are stressors that affect families and cause them to reach out for counseling.
Types of Therapists
There are different types of therapists who generally work in family and marriage therapy. These include a clinical psychologist, psychiatrist, counseling psychologist, psychoanalyst, marriage and family therapist, social worker and a licensed counselor. They all differ in many ways mainly based on their length of education and schooling. All provide similar support except they may be split into subspecialties that many individuals may choose to seek out such as behavior therapy, ADHD, marriage, pediatrics and behavioral disorders.
Locations
There are several locations in which someone can seek out their therapy. Some therapy is held by a school psychologist at a school or preschool. These cases may also be in correlation with a child's educational background and could become a part of their permanent record. Many therapists hold private practices in cities and towns throughout the world. Hospitals and outpatient clinics also are home to many therapists who can assist in crisis situations. Some therapists are associated with churches and incorporate a religious background into their practice.
Financial Resources
Many people who have families are often on a budget, making it difficult to be able to afford some of the session and evaluation fees that therapists charge. Fees vary per therapist, where they are located and how many people they will be counseling. Churches and nonprofit or social service organizations may not charge fees for their services. Schools may rely on government or state grants or assistance to provide free or sliding scale services to their clients.
Solutions
One of the main goals of marriage and family therapy is to strengthen the bonds within the family. Finding a solution to relationship problems and addressing issues facing families will help them better function with each other and independently. After an initial evaluation, therapists will decide if ongoing therapy, individualized therapy, group therapy or behavioral therapy is needed. The therapist may also make a medical referral out to a physician or pediatrician if they feel medical assistance is needed.
