What Is Family Counseling?
KEY POINTS
- Family counseling addresses the dynamics of families as well as individual problems within a family context.
- Family counseling may be provided by licensed marriage and family therapists (LMFTs) or other mental health professionals with specific training in working with families.
- Finding a counselor who is a good fit for your family is important; consider cost, insurance, and experience before starting therapy.
Family counseling is a type of therapy focused on finding solutions for the challenges and complexities that may arise in family life. Family counselors work to improve communication among family members and address dynamics between members of the family that may result in relationship dysfunction or communication breakdowns. “Family counseling” may also be referred to as “family therapy,” since the terms are often used interchangeably. However, in some cases, the term “family counseling” is used to describe shorter-term, solution-focused work, while “family therapy” may indicate longer-term treatment.
Techniques in family counseling
Family counseling emerged in the 1950s and 1960s, when psychiatrists and theorists began emphasizing the family as a system rather than treating individuals alone. Since then, the field has evolved to incorporate approaches from several therapeutic traditions, including:
Family Systems Therapy
This modality visualizes the family as a complex, interconnected system and seeks to identify and make clear how the behavior of any individual in the familial group affects the other members.
Structural Family Therapy
This method examines the rules and power dynamics of the family. In structural family therapy, the therapist may be more involved than other types of treatment and help to reorganize the structures of the family to improve how people feel in the family and create a more cohesive unit.
Cognitive Behavioral Couples Therapy
Applying the same principles as cognitive behavioral therapy, this modality encourages couples to identify and name the patterns of behavior causing them or their partner distress in the relationship, with the clinician teaching skills to help confront and change these patterns.
Couples and Marriage Counseling
This approach focuses on relationship problems. Therapists typically meet with both partners at the same time to identify the challenges they face and disagreements they may have and help the couple find better solutions for how to communicate, find mutually acceptable solutions, and work as a team.
Who facilitates family counseling?
In most cases, family counseling is conducted by a licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT), a mental health practitioner with at least a master's degree, significant supervised experience (typically two years, or 3,000 clinical hours, depending on the state), and successful passage of a licensure exam. In some cases, other types of professionals, such as Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSWs), Licensed Counselors (LPCs), or Psychologists, may also conduct family counseling. When deciding whether to work with a potential professional, you can inquire about their specific training, accreditation and experience working with families.
In addition to seeking a professional with training in family counseling, it’s also important to choose someone with whom you and your family members feel comfortable talking about what can be difficult topics. Studies have shown that the quality of the relationship between client and therapist is one of the most important factors for a successful therapy outcome.
During an initial screening, you may consider asking the following questions to ensure a good fit:
- What is your expertise and experience with our particular challenges?
- What is your therapeutic process?
- What is the expected timeline for treatment?
It’s useful to be upfront about expected outcomes and to hear what the clinician's expectations are.
Trends in family counseling
Family therapy has grown significantly, with many psychotherapists now providing couples or family treatment. This growth stems from two factors: demonstrated effectiveness of family therapy and expanded options for diverse family structures. In addition to showing favorable outcomes in improving family relationships, family counseling has expanded recently to encompass more than heterosexual, nuclear families as the composition of families has evolved. Many practitioners now specialize in treating LGBTQ+ couples and families with an emphasis on cultural competency.
Whatever the makeup of the family unit, learning and practicing the skills of respectful communication, mutual understanding, and harmonious conflict resolution are key to family relationships.
How much does family counseling cost?
In the United States, family counseling costs vary by region, practitioner qualifications, and session length. Fees typically range from $150 to $300 per 50 to 60 minute session, although prices may be higher in major cities or for highly experienced therapists.
While some insurance plans may cover family counseling, many do not since it is rarely deemed medically necessary. It's recommended you check with your insurance company about whether family counseling is covered and, if so, what copays or deductibles may apply. If cost is a barrier, some therapists offer sliding scale fees based on income. In addition, some community mental health centers provide lower-cost services for family counseling.
To find a family therapist near you, visit the Psychology Today Directory. Use filters such as Family Therapy or Couples Counseling under the Types of Therapy filter or Relationship Issues and Marriage Counseling under the Specialties filter. When reviewing profiles, look for clinicians who describe specific training or experience working with families and couples.
