Every family has its ups and downs. But sometimes challenges become so great that one's own resources are no longer sufficient. When is the right time to seek professional support?
Typical Reasons for Family Therapy
Families come to me for various reasons:
- Frequent conflicts: When arguments are part of daily life and constructive conversations are hardly possible anymore
- Changes: Separation, new partners, birth of a child, children moving out
- Behavioral issues: When a child or adolescent shows particular challenges
- Crises: Illness, death, unemployment or other significant events
- Blended family situations: Growing together as a new family takes time and often support
What Happens in Family Therapy?
In systemic family therapy, we view the family as a whole. Problems that occur with one family member are understood as an expression of the entire system. This is not blame - on the contrary: it opens up new possibilities for everyone.
Depending on the situation, I work with the entire family, subgroups, or individual family members. We use various methods such as genograms (family trees), sculptures, or circular questioning to make patterns visible and develop new perspectives.
When Should You Not Wait?
Generally: The sooner you seek support, the better. Entrenched patterns are harder to change than fresh conflicts. Quick action is particularly important when:
- Children are suffering (declining performance, withdrawal, behavioral changes)
- There is verbal or physical violence
- Family members completely withdraw
- Addictive behavior or mental illness is involved
What Does Family Therapy Achieve?
We define the goals together. Common aims include:
- Developing better understanding for each other
- Improving communication
- Clarifying roles and boundaries
- Healing old wounds
- Establishing new ways of interacting
Important to know: You don't have to wait until it's "bad enough." Even with smaller difficulties, a few therapy sessions can make a big difference.
The First Step
In an initial consultation, we get to know each other and you describe your situation. Together we look at what form of support is best. Often just a few sessions are enough to achieve noticeable improvements.
Do you have questions or would you like to schedule an initial consultation? I look forward to hearing from you.