Couple and family therapy aims to heal families, marriages and partnerships.
Couple and family therapy focuses on clinical and mental health problems such as: depression, mood disorders, alcohol and drug addiction, sexual dysfunction and adolescent issues. This therapy is based on the idea that psychological issues affect not only the individual, but also the individual’s family, partner or spouse. The process involves intensive work with a therapist trained to treat couples and families in groups and one-on-one encounters.
Background
According to the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, couple and family therapy became popular in the 1950s, with the belief that the family affects all of its members' behavior. Because of this, the individual's treatment often involves treating the family or relationship.
Requirements
Couple and family therapy requires a number of sessions with a licensed mental health professional who identifies the problems in a relationship to help the couple, family or individual decide what changes are needed. A licensed marriage and family therapist either has a graduate degree in psychiatry, psychology, clinical social work, psychiatric nursing or completed an accredited master or doctoral degree program in marriage and family therapy. Family and couple therapy is designed to be short-term but lasts an average of three months, or 12 to 15 sessions, each lasting an average of one hour.
Benefits
Most studies conducted on the effectiveness of couple and family therapy conclude that it is beneficial. A 1997 study by M. Friedlander called "The Scientific Basis of Couples and Family Therapy Research," reviewed studies and scholarly work on couple and family therapy and concluded it is effective. The study goes on to say that there is no evidence that points to the therapeutic process as being harmful.
Cost
Family and couple therapy is often covered by health insurance but may require a co-payment. However, some insurance plans do not cover mental health costs. The average cost of a family or couple therapy session is $100 without insurance, according to the National Directory of Marriage and Family Counseling. Some therapists don't take insurance because they don't wish to deal with insurance companies.
Considerations
There is no guarantee that therapy will solve a family's or couple's problems. The therapy's success depends on the participation of specific family members, the dynamic between the patients and the therapist and length of time committed to the therapeutic process. If one family member chooses not to participate the issues between that person and his family may be unresolved. Similarly, if the patients do not feel comfortable speaking with their therapist, or if the patients decide to discontinue treatment, the therapy process may not be fully effective.
Tags: family therapy, Couple family, Couple family therapy, couple therapy, mental health