Questions? Call for Help Now

Family Sessions for Mental Health Treatment

When one member of a family is affected by a behavioral health disorder such as mental illness or addiction, everyone is affected.

 

Family therapy can help the family as a whole recover and heal. It can help all members of the family make specific, positive changes as the person in recovery changes. These changes can help all family members heal from the trauma of mental illness or addiction.

group therapy room at dana point facility

Featured facility: Dana Point

How Does Alter Use Family Therapy?

Supporting the whole family for a greater chance of long term recovery.

Once a client is stable enough and ready to make more changes, our counselors at Alter will introduce the option of family therapy to further recovery when it’s appropriate.

Benefits of Family Therapy

Useful for Conditions

Family Therapy Techniques & Uses in the Treatment Process

Technique #1 - Structural Family Therapy

Structural family therapy focuses on the structure of the family system and the interactions between family members.

 

By restructuring problematic patterns within family dynamics and establishing clear boundaries and roles, structural family therapy aims to promote healthier family dynamics and improve overall functioning.

Technique #2 - Strategic Family Therapy

Strategic family therapy  emphasizes the importance of targeting specific problems and goals within the family system.

 

Therapists use goal-oriented and solution-focused interventions to help families achieve positive outcomes in a relatively short period.

Technique #3 - Narrative Family Therapy

Narrative family therapy focuses on the stories that families tell about themselves and their experiences.

 

Therapists help families externalize problems and explore alternative narratives that empower them to view their challenges in a new light, so the entire family system can flourish.

Frequently Ask Questions About Family Therapy

What is family therapy, and how does it relate to mental health?

Family therapy is based on the idea that a family is a system of different parts. A change in any part of the system will trigger changes in all the other parts. This means that when one member of a family is affected by a behavioral health disorder such as mental illness or addiction, everyone is affected.


As a result, family dynamics can change in unhealthy ways. Lies and secrets can build up in the family. Some family members may take on too much responsibility, other family members may act out, and some may just shut down.


Sometimes conditions at home are already unhappy before a family member’s mental illness or addiction emerges. That person’s changing behaviors can throw the family into even greater turmoil. Often a family remains stuck in unhealthy patterns even after the family member with the behavioral health disorder moves into recovery. Even in the best circumstances, families can find it hard to adjust to the person in their midst who is recovering, who is behaving differently than before, and who needs support.


Family therapy can help the family as a whole recover and heal. It can help all members of the family make specific, positive changes as the person in recovery changes. These changes can help all family members heal from the trauma of mental illness or addiction.

Family therapy supports mental health and well-being by addressing relational patterns and communication styles within the family system that may impact individual mental health. By improving family relationships and promoting open communication, family therapy can help individuals feel understood, supported, and validated, leading to improved emotional regulation, reduced stress, and enhanced overall wellbeing.
Family therapy can address a wide range of mental health concerns, including depression, anxiety, addiction, trauma, eating disorders, and relationship issues. It can also be beneficial for families navigating life transitions, such as divorce, remarriage, or the birth of a child. By providing a safe and supportive space for families to explore their challenges and strengths, family therapy can help individuals and families develop effective coping strategies, improve resilience, and foster greater connection and understanding.
Family therapy differs from individual therapy in that it focuses on the dynamics and interactions within the family system rather than solely on individual thoughts and feelings. While individual therapy may explore personal experiences and beliefs, family therapy considers how these factors are influenced by and contribute to family dynamics. By involving all family members in the therapeutic process, family therapy promotes systemic change and supports the collective well-being of the family unit.
Family therapy can be beneficial for families of all shapes and sizes, regardless of the specific mental health concerns they may be facing. Whether addressing long standing conflicts, navigating a crisis, or seeking to improve communication and connection, family therapy provides a supportive and collaborative environment for families to work through their challenges and strengthen their relationships. With the guidance of a skilled therapist, families can cultivate greater understanding, resilience, and well-being together.
There are two main goals in family therapy. One goal is to help everyone give the right kind of support to the family member in behavioral health treatment, so that recovery sticks and relapse is avoided. The other goal is to strengthen the whole family’s emotional health, so that everyone can thrive. Specific objectives for family therapy are unique to each family, and these objectives may change over time. The family decides for itself what to focus on, and when.

No, all forms of therapy are decided on a case-by-case basis.. Family therapy is typically introduced after the individual in treatment for mental illness or addiction has made progress in recovery. This could be a few months after treatment starts, or a year or more later.


Timing is important because people new to recovery have a lot to do. They are working to remain stable in their new patterns of behavior and ways of thinking. They are just beginning to face the many changes they must make to stay mentally healthy or to remain sober. They are learning such things as how to deal with urges to fall into old patterns, how to resist triggers and cravings, how to adhere to medication regimens, and how to avoid temptations to rationalize and make excuses. For them to explore family issues at the same time can be too much and can potentially contribute to relapse into mental illness or substance using behaviors.


Family therapy tends to be most helpful once the person in treatment is fully committed to the recovery process and is ready to make more changes. The person’s counselor can advise on the best time to start family therapy.

Call Now for Program Availability

Contact our admissions team to learn about our programs and to check availability at our facilities, or submit your insurance to verify coverage.

We Accept Most Insurance

We accept most major insurance providers including the ones displayed here.
Submit your insurance to confirm coverage.

We Accept Most Insurance

We accept most major insurance providers including the ones displayed here.
Submit your insurance to confirm coverage.

Licensed & Accredited

Our facilities have been awarded prestigious recognition and certifications by adhering to rigorous guidelines and exceeding quality standards with consistent, safe & effective healthcare services.

DHCS