Photo of Dr. Carol Stoney, Counselor in 37323, TN
Dr. Carol Stoney
Counselor, PhD, LPC, MHSP
Verified Verified
1 Endorsed
Cleveland, TN 37323
Healthy relationships are not the mystery that most of us believe them to be. Love may be the reason that we commit to a relationship, but few know how to sustain that wonderful, secure feeling. There are skills that all of us must learn in order to create and manage our relationships so that our dreams don't go the way of statistics and have us end up separated from our loved one. While individual therapy has been linked to worsening relationship issues, my research-based training provides the opposite: HOPE. Let me work with you to stop the negative patterns that are taking you away from the partnership you wish to have.
Healthy relationships are not the mystery that most of us believe them to be. Love may be the reason that we commit to a relationship, but few know how to sustain that wonderful, secure feeling. There are skills that all of us must learn in order to create and manage our relationships so that our dreams don't go the way of statistics and have us end up separated from our loved one. While individual therapy has been linked to worsening relationship issues, my research-based training provides the opposite: HOPE. Let me work with you to stop the negative patterns that are taking you away from the partnership you wish to have.
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Family Therapy

What do family therapists do?

A family therapist facilitates the process of understanding and improving how a family functions. The therapist will help family members develop empathy for one another. They’ll seek to understand existing patterns, misunderstandings, and conflicts that arise, in order to help the family arrive at a realistic, unified understanding and develop the coping skills they need to build stronger relationships.

How long does therapy for families take to work?

Therapy manifests differently in every family; a common time frame is 12 weekly sessions, but some families may see improvement after just a few weeks. Families should discuss their goals with the therapist at the beginning of the process and periodically revisit those goals to assess their progress together.

How can you encourage a family member to attend family therapy?

You can encourage family members to attend therapy by expressing with both love and concern the challenges you see and explaining how a therapist could help the family navigate those challenges together. An outside perspective can help everyone feel heard, get on the same page, and develop new skills. If family members are still hesitant, it may be helpful to emphasize that family therapy is short-term—it won’t last forever.

Is therapy for families effective?

Family therapy can significantly improve family dynamics and relationships. Research suggests that family therapy can help individuals understand their role in the family, communicate and solve problems together, reduce conflict and draw boundaries when necessary, and develop coping skills for stressors, major life changes, and mental or physical illnesses within the family.