Family Therapy vs. Couples Therapy

Marriage and Family therapy has been defined in many different ways over the decades. For many it can simply refer to the husband and wife who are in need of counseling. For others it can involve parents whose children need assistance with a disorder. For others it can be mainly for a couple where the children simply participate. 

Family counseling in Utah and elsewhere is a growing field so defined best practices are sometimes hard to nail down. The question is then: what is the benefit of a child participating in counseling?

In Utah and other conservative states where a family between a husband and wife is the majority, counseling and therapy are not uncommon. Involving children in the marriage counseling can be very successful depending on the family. Sometimes, with such a large group, it can be hard to tell the difference between family counseling and an intervention.

Counselors and therapists are well trained at many communication exercises where different members of the family are able to express themselves in a safe way. This can be especially helpful in the early stages of a problem. Usually the longer a family or a couple struggles with something, the harder it is to fix. This is because years of hurt don’t heal in a few short minutes. 

The good news is that for parents and children alike, marriage therapy as a family can be greatly successful. Many families in Utah and elsewhere have been able to turn over a new leaf and start over together.

For any kind of counseling it is important for both parties to participate. If there is a conflict between a husband and wife for example, then both the husband and wife should be present in the counseling sessions. This is the best way for marriage counseling to be effective. The same is true for in-laws, extended family and even relationships between friends.

It usually isn’t necessary for everyone involved to be present in all sessions. The therapist will usually be able to determine who should be present for which sessions. In this manner the therapist will be able to understand all sides of the story and mediate more effectively.

Marriage therapy has saved many marriages and is able to help most people in some way. Families, newlyweds and people of all ages in Utah and around the world should be able to communicate freely in any situation. This is not always the case, and that is when counseling can be of a great help.

Nate Myers  is a relationship writer reporter for Fusion 360, an SEO and content marketing agency. Information provided by Swinton Counseling.