When children enter therapy, their symptoms are often expressions of a larger problem that may exist within the family system. As a result, there are times when it is clinically indicated to hold family therapy sessions. Family therapy sessions usually involve the immediate family of the client and, in some cases, may include other significant people in the client’s life.
During the course of a family session, the therapist is able to observe how family members interact, how they communicate, and the effects those interactions have on the family and each other. The therapist then helps the family see the patterns and types of interactions they engage in and tries to help them develop new strategies for coping and communication. The goal of family therapy is to help families develop a better understanding of one another, improve communication, grow closer as a family, and, in the process, alleviate the symptoms that brought the family to therapy.