Family Therapy

We’ve all watched tv shows and movies where the main character proudly boasts that they have a “dysfunctional family” because of the way in which their family members interact with each other. Some on-screen families are loud, messy, argumentative, or dramatic. Others might always have a dilemma to deal with that might seem funny to the viewer. However, things that make for a good tv episode don’t always equal a healthy household in real life.

Oftentimes, families that are labeled as “dysfunctional” fight with each other in unhealthy ways, and are the source of a person’s deeply-rooted mental health issues later in life.

In cases such as these, structural family therapy at For Health's Sake in Downtown (Queen St West), Leslieville (Queen St East) and Kingsway (Etobicoke) can offer several benefits that can help family members learn healthier ways to interact with each other. If you believe your family could benefit from therapy, contact our clinic today.

What is Structural Family Therapy?

There are many kinds of family therapy, however, SFT is one of the most common. Therapists who do SFT work by addressing a family as a whole, instead of trying to figure out each individual member’s problems separately.

The goal of For Health’s Sake therapists is to determine any negative habitual patterns, routines, or behaviors that affect a family’s overall well-being. This way, they can help the family to establish healthier routines and create a loving and stable environment at home.

If your family experienced trauma, is dealing with a divorce, or struggling to blend families after one parent remarries, you might benefit from this kind of therapy.

What does structural family therapy look like?

During a structural family therapy session, a For Health’s Sake therapist will observe your family and take note of the structure including what roles each member takes on, habits, and boundaries.

Your therapist will note both healthy and unhealthy aspects of your family that they notice during the session to identify specific issues causing problems, in order to create the finest treatment plan.

A therapist can evaluate family dynamics and interactions that may be causing discord. They might include role-playing exercises in their treatment plan and may have you and your family discuss thoughts, feelings, and perceptions in a safe space. The therapist’s goal is to help you and your family develop healthy communication habits, instead of ones associated with anger or frustration such as yelling, shouting, or blaming.

Depending on the situation, your family may attend therapy for a shorter or longer period of time. Regardless of how long your treatment timeline is, rest assured that your For Health’s Sake therapist has your family’s leading interests at heart and will make it a priority to restore balance and understanding in your home.

Contact For Health’s Sake today!

Therapy doesn’t have to be hard. Our skilled therapists will be able to assess your family’s dynamic and evaluate the necessary steps to restore communication, respect, and understanding in your household. Contact our clinic today to learn more information about structural family therapy, and allow us to schedule an appointment for you.