Is your child in treatment for a mental health issue? If so, they may benefit from multiple kinds of help as they work to restore their well-being. Quite often, an effective recovery plan for teens includes an adolescent family therapy program. Family therapy for adolescents can help your child cope better with the issues affecting their mental health. It can also help you become a better, more effective resource for your child’s recovery.
Not sure if you and your teen will benefit from family therapy? Talk to the mental health professionals at HillsidesCares. We’re dedicated to helping teens and younger children improve their mental wellness. And one of the options we use to support this goal is family therapy. Contact us today to find out more at 323.641.4842.
The Basics of Family Therapy for Adolescents
Family therapy, also known as family counseling, is the general term for any talk therapy that centers on the family unit. This unit is crucial to the health and development of essentially everyone. It’s especially vital to children and teenagers because family provides the main context for their everyday experiences.
The overall goal of family therapy for kids or teenagers is to support their recovery from the condition affecting them. To achieve this goal, it gives all participating family members a place to:
- Talk about their feelings regarding the family and specific problems within it
- Listen to the feelings of other family members
- Work on improving the family dynamic in ways that benefit everyone
Several different approaches to family counseling for teens and children exist. However, all of these approaches share the same general aims.
Reasons for Seeking Family Therapy for Kids or Teens
Family counseling is potentially useful for recovery from most mental health issues. That includes conditions, such as depression and anxiety disorders, common to adults, teens, and children. In addition, it can be used to support recovery from age-specific child and teen illnesses. The list of these illnesses includes:
- Conduct disorder
- Oppositional defiant disorder (ODD)
- Disruptive mood dysregulation disorder (DMDD)
Conduct disorder revolves around repeated acts of disobedience and aggression. ODD involves defiant, uncooperative, or hostile behavior toward authority figures in general. Children with DMDD are extremely irritable and experience frequent outbursts of anger.
The Specific Purposes of Family Counseling for Adolescents and Kids
How exactly does family therapy for adolescents and kids help? There are specific benefits of the therapy for each type of condition. For example, if your teen or younger child is affected by conduct disorder, one major goal is improving overall family dynamics.
Family counseling for teens and younger children with ODD has multiple goals. First, it helps you and your child learn more about the condition. It also helps you communicate better with your child. In addition, it teaches you improved ways to solve problems within the family.
What if your child is affected by DMDD? The focus of therapy tends to be helping you respond to their symptoms more effectively. That includes such things as anticipating outbursts, using positive reinforcement, and being more consistent in your responses.
Enroll in Family Counseling for Adolescents and Kids at HillsidesCares Today
Family counseling is frequently used to help teens and younger kids. That’s true because family is typically a huge influence in these early stages of life. Family-based therapy can help your child recover from issues that also affect adults. Importantly, it also supports recovery from age-specific mental health issues.
Do you think your child may need family therapy? Turn to the team at HillsidesCares. We make this therapy available to everyone enrolled in our customized programs. With its help, your child can boost their chances for recovery. It can also show you how to better support your child’s efforts. Call us today at 323.641.4842 for more information. You can also contact us online.