Family therapy can be beneficial for most families, even when there is nothing wrong. Family therapy allows members to express themselves openly to each other, work on building bonds and learn to be a unit that can work together better. There are many different types of family therapy activities; they can vary by the type of family therapy that is taking place.
Types of Family Therapy
There are four basic types of family therapy that you will find at a family therapy program. Each type is a bit different. Then, from there, there are many subtypes of family therapy.
Structural Therapy
This type of therapy looks at the bonds and interactions that family members have with each other. Each member has their own identity in relation to the family. These identities are then presented to the outside world, which reinforces them being also acted on. Problems arise when families do not adapt to problems that they are then confronted with. In these cases, the family structure can fall apart from the inside. The therapist then works to identify where the structure needs repairing and adaptation, and what to work on.
Strategic therapy
Strategic therapy looks to identify specific issues, such as teen drug addiction, within the family. The family then works to come to some common understanding of the problem or issues by setting goals and carrying out tasks.
Systemic Therapy
Works on the unconscious interactions between family members and what they mean by them. This type of therapy works for situations where not everyone is aware there is an issue that needs to be dealt with.
Bowenian Therapy
This is when family members are not available or approaching the family members is dangerous to the patient in some way.
Common Family Therapy Activities
Here is a list of common activities that would take place in family therapy groups, depending on what your families needs are:
What If
The game is to think about the answer to the following question: What if I woke up tomorrow and our relationship was better; what would have changed all of a sudden? This is often used in situations where family members are not aware of what other members want or desire in their relationships with one another. In this case, impossible answers can be helpful. Any answers given can help the therapist and others infer what the answerer needs from others.
The Color Game
For this game, it’s easiest to use something like a pack of M&Ms or Skittles. You can assign each color a purpose and give each family member 5-10 pieces. You can denote green as the fun color, so brother can ask mom to give three answers as to how she thinks the family has fun (because she has three green candies). The game then goes around the table, and everyone gets a chance to answer each other’s preset questions.
Emotions Toss
Take a beach ball and write different emotions on each color. Then gather the family and toss the ball around. Each person that catches the ball is to describe a situation when they felt the emotion that is facing them.
Finding Family Therapy
In addition to offering family therapy, Venture Academy also offers:
If you’re ready to start family therapy or one of the programs listed above, then contact us. It’s time to find out how we can help get your family back working in sync again with our family therapy activities at 866.762.2211.
