Family Therapy

Family therapy goes beyond individual healing to focus on the collective dynamics, roles, and patterns that shape familial relations. It is a specialized form of group psychotherapy that addresses interpersonal relationships and behavioral issues within the family unit.

Families often serve as a vital support system, and addressing the complexities of these connections is essential for achieving a fulfilling life. At Kimball Health Services, we recognize the profound influence family dynamics have on your overall mental health.

We provide support, education, and guidance to you and your loved ones to help you function better and increase your well-being. Our family therapy services help individual family members build stronger relationships, improve communication, and effectively manage conflicts.

At Kimball Health Services, we offer a variety of family therapy approaches to address the unique needs of each family. Our mental health professional, Ron Strachan, APRN, is skilled in different therapeutic modalities, and he may combine elements from various approaches to create the most effective treatment plan for your family.

Here are some of the common types of family therapy we offer:

• Functional family therapy (FFT): This approach is often used to help families with children who exhibit behavioral problems. FFT focuses on assessing family dynamics, improving communication and parenting skills, and promoting positive reinforcement.
• Marriage counseling/couples therapy: This type of therapy is designed for couples seeking to address relationship challenges. It helps partners explore issues such as communication breakdowns, relationship dynamics, financial disagreements, and mental health conditions. 
• Strategic family therapy: It is a short-term approach aimed at implementing positive changes in family dynamics. It focuses on restructuring family interactions to address behavioral issues, particularly in children. 
• Structural family therapy: This therapy examines the relationships, boundaries, and hierarchies within a family unit. By understanding these structures, therapists can help families identify and address dysfunctional patterns of interaction.
• Systemic family therapy: This approach considers the family issues within broader contexts, including cultural, socio-economic, and relational factors. It focuses on examining how each member's actions affect the others and the overall family system. By understanding family processes, therapists can help improve interactions and promote positive change.
• Psychoeducation: This is an essential component for families dealing with mental health conditions. It involves educating family members about mental health issues, treatment options, medications, and self-help strategies. This knowledge helps families provide informed and cohesive support for their loved ones.

Each type of family therapy offers unique benefits and can be tailored to fit the specific needs of your family.

Family therapy is a collaborative and structured process that involves active participation from all family members. It is like a team effort where everyone works together with a trained therapist to understand and address the challenges. 

Though the exact approach may differ based on each family's needs, the general process often involves:

• Exploring the underlying issues that contribute to tensions within the family
• Learning how to express yourself clearly while also practicing active listening to ensure all voices are heard and understood
• Replacing unhelpful or damaging patterns with more positive and constructive actions
• Building trust, fostering support, and enhancing understanding to foster stronger family bonds and create a more connected family

Family therapy can address a wide range of issues that affect an individual or a whole family. These include:

• Relationship challenges: Strained relationships between family members, communication difficulties, and conflicts can be resolved through family therapy.
• Emotional distress: Stress, anger, trauma, and grief can significantly impact family dynamics. Family therapy provides a safe space to process emotions and develop coping strategies.
• Health challenges: Coping with chronic illnesses, such as multiple sclerosis, cancer, or autoimmune diseases, can be overwhelming for families. Family therapy offers support and guidance during these difficult times.
• Life transitions: Major life changes, such as divorce, separation, unemployment, or moving, can disrupt family dynamics. Family therapy can help families navigate these transitions and adapt to new circumstances.
• Mental health conditions: Family therapy can address a variety of mental health conditions, including anxiety disorders, eating disorders, mood disorders, personality disorders, schizophrenia, and substance use disorders.
• Behavioral problems: For families with children or teenagers struggling with behavioral issues, family therapy can provide valuable support and guidance.
• Neurodivergence: Families with members who are neurodivergent, such as those with autism spectrum disorder or ADHD, can benefit from family therapy to improve understanding, communication, and support.

Family therapy offers numerous benefits for individuals and families alike. Here are some of the key benefits of family therapy:   

• Improved communication: Therapy helps families develop better communication skills, leading to greater understanding, empathy, and conflict resolution.   
• Strengthened relationships: By addressing underlying issues and improving communication, therapy can strengthen bonds between family members, fostering a more supportive and loving environment.   
• Enhanced emotional well-being: Family therapy leads to improved emotional well-being for all family members.
• Better family dynamics: By addressing dysfunctional patterns and improving family interactions, family therapy can create a healthier and more harmonious family environment.   
• Increased resilience: Family therapy helps families develop resilience and the ability to cope with life's challenges, promoting long-term emotional and mental health.
• Support for individual members: Family therapy can also address individual mental health concerns, providing support and guidance for family members who may be struggling.

Improving how family members interact and relate to one another can foster meaningful change in close relationships.

At Kimball Health Services, Ron Strachan, APRN, is committed to providing compassionate and effective family therapy services. Ron creates a safe and supportive environment where everyone can express their thoughts, feelings, and concerns without judgment.

In case of an emergency, call 911 or walk into our emergency department anytime. To schedule a consultation with our healthcare providers, please contact us at 308-235-1966 or request an appointment online.