Family Therapy

Family therapy is a form of evidence-based psychotherapy designed to help family members work through challenges together and improve their relationships. 

It is frequently used in treatment for substance use disorder and other mental health conditions to strengthen the family unit and foster a positive environment for lasting change.

At Summit at Harmony Oaks, we offer family therapy to support you and your loved ones in your recovery. Read on to learn more about family therapy and our treatment programs.

About Family Therapy in Addiction and Mental Health Treatment

Family therapy focuses on improving the relationships and behaviors between family members. 

In addiction and mental health treatment, family therapy can provide a space for healing relationships, addressing family problems, improving communication, and creating a support network. 

At Summit at Harmony Oaks, we use family therapy in our treatment programs to support the recovery journey. We equip families with the tools and education to handle challenges together and understand how a supportive family unit can create a foundation for lasting change.

A group of five people sitting on chairs in a circle, engaged in discussion. A woman gestures with her hands while others listen attentively. The setting is a bright, modern room with light-colored walls and flooring.
A person with curly hair stands facing a group in a sunlit room, gesturing with both hands. The group appears attentive and engaged, with some clapping. The room has large windows and exposed brick walls, suggesting an informal setting.

What Addiction and Mental Health Conditions Does Family Therapy Treat?

Family therapy is used as an effective tool for mental health and substance abuse treatments. 

Summit at Harmony Oaks offers family therapy for people facing conditions like:

  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Mood Disorders
  • Personality Disorders
  • Trauma and post-Traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
  • Substance use disorder (SUD)

These conditions can all benefit from family therapy’s supportive, open environment for healing.

Benefits of Family Therapy for Mental Health and Addiction

Family therapy can offer various benefits for families navigating addiction and mental health disorders. Through structured sessions, families can work on areas that contribute to a healthier, more supportive environment.

Some of the primary benefits of family therapy include:

  • Resolve strained relationships: Work through existing strains and tensions in the family.
  • Improved communication: Encourages honest conversations and better understanding between family members.
  • Conflict resolution: Provides tools to resolve conflicts and handle family tensions.
  • Manage stress and anger: Gain tools for managing family stress and intense emotions.
  • Support for trauma recovery: Helps families identify past trauma and process it. Family therapy also provides the tools and coping skills to handle trauma and promote emotional well-being.
  • Improved empathy: Helps family members understand each other. This helps build a more compassionate and empathetic environment.
  • Avoiding enabling: Identifies and changes enabling behaviors.
  • Better coping skills: Equips families with coping strategies to handle life stressors like grief, loss, or a family member’s chronic illness.
  • Navigate life changes: Support for major life transitions like moving, unemployment, or incarceration.
  • Self-care strategies: Emphasizes the importance of self-care while still offering support to other family members.

Having family support and a strong family system can be incredibly helpful on the road to mental health and addiction recovery. 

Summit at Harmony Oaks believes in the benefits of this evidence-based therapy and implements it into our treatment plans as often as possible.

Our Mental Health and Addiction Programs That Feature Family Therapy

Whether you’re enrolled in our residential program or one of our outpatient programs, we can help strengthen the family bond at our treatment center.

Here are the programs we offer that feature family therapy.

Residential Treatment

Our residential treatment program is inpatient, where you live on-site in a structured, supportive environment. Residential enrollees engage in intensive therapy, skill-building, and holistic care tailored to their unique needs. 

Family counseling is incorporated into residential treatment to foster connection and healing between our patients and their families. 

This provides a connection to the outside world while attending 24/7 care and gives you the tools to communicate with family members when transitioning back to normal life.

Outpatient Treatment

Our outpatient treatment programs offer added flexibility. They are ideal for those who have already attended residential treatment and are ready to return to daily routines.

Our outpatient programs include:

  • Intensive outpatient programs: Our intensive outpatient program (IOP) involves 3-5 days of treatment per week. These structured treatment sessions last several hours and may include individual therapy, group therapy, family therapy, and other therapeutic interventions, depending on your unique needs. IOP allows you to maintain your regular responsibilities while getting structured support for your condition.
  • Partial hospitalization programs: Our partial hospitalization program (PHP) bridges residential care and more flexible IOPs. In a PHP, you attend structured, intensive treatment during the day and return to your home or one of our nearby recovery residences at night. Structured individual counseling, family therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and other treatment approaches are incorporated into your daily treatment. 

If you’re unsure which program might be the best fit, our compassionate team at Summit at Harmony Oaks is happy to explore the options with you. We can help you find the best program for your and your family’s needs.

Who Is a Good Fit for Family Therapy?

Family therapy is a good fit for families of all structures and backgrounds. 

Family therapy at Summit at Harmony Oaks can help families who want to:

  • Build better communication skills between themselves and their loved ones
  • Learn to improve listening skills among family members
  • Become more open to other ideas and perspectives within the family
  • Work on stopping enabling behaviors
  • Create a safe space to express feelings
  • Encourage self-care and mutual support among family members
  • Understand the struggles of a family member coping with drug addiction, alcohol use disorder, and other mental health conditions.

In short, family therapy is ideal for providing a foundation for meaningful conversations and familial growth.Who Is a Good Fit for Family Therapy?

Most Insurance Accepted

As a member of the Harmony Health Group family of treatment programs, we are able to work with many private insurance plans.

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What Happens During a Family Therapy Session at Summit?

Two women are hugging in a bright office setting. Two other people, a man and a woman, are smiling and watching them in the background. The scene conveys a sense of warmth and support.

Family therapy sessions at Summit are guided by a family therapist who facilitates open, productive conversations in a safe setting.

Here’s what to expect during a session:

  • Goal setting: The therapist may ask each member of the family about their concerns and goals for therapy. Early sessions also allow the therapist to gain insight into the current family dynamics.
  • Encouraging communication: Family members are encouraged to share openly, listen to each other, and validate each other’s feelings. 
  • Fostering empathy: Therapists often present clarifying statements to help everyone understand each other’s intentions and perspectives.
  • Skill-building: Family members learn skills and exercises for managing conflict, problem-solving, and communicating openly.
  • Behavioral strategies: Therapists suggest exercises to adjust problematic behaviors and promote positive changes.

The number of sessions varies depending on the needs of the family. Some family members may also participate in individual sessions to focus on specific issues in depth.

Cost of Family Therapy at Summit

The cost of family therapy can vary depending on the number of sessions and any additional services involved.

Summit at Harmony Oaks works with most insurance providers to make family therapy as accessible as possible.

Contact our team to verify your insurance benefits today and discuss the best treatment plan for your needs.

Rebuild Together with Family Therapy at Summit

Contact Us

At Summit at Harmony Oaks, we believe in the power of family involvement to support long-term recovery and lasting change.

Through family therapy, you and your loved ones can rebuild connections, strengthen communication, and support each other during the recovery process.

If you’re ready to rebuild, contact Summit at Harmony Oaks and take the first step toward healing.

Family Therapy FAQs

How does family therapy work?

Family therapy creates a supportive environment where family members can openly discuss issues with the guidance of a trained mental health professional. 

It helps the entire family learn communication skills, practice empathy, and develop strategies to overcome conflict and support each other.

What types of issues can family therapy address?

Family therapy can address a range of issues, including general communication problems, strained family relationships, substance misuse, alcohol abuse, mental health conditions, grief, trauma, and other relational conflicts. 

It’s designed to give families a place to work through these challenges in a healthy, supportive manner.

Does insurance cover family therapy?

Coverage for family therapy varies by healthcare provider and plan. At Summit at Harmony Oaks, we work with most insurance providers. Reach out to our team to verify your benefits for family therapy coverage.

Sources

  1. Cleveland Clinic. Family Therapy. Retrieved from: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/24454-family-therapy. Accessed on November 6, 2024.
  2. Medical News Today. “What are the Benefits of Family Counseling?” Retrieved from. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/family-counseling. Accessed on November 6, 2024. 
  3. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). “Family Therapy Can Help.” Retrieved from: https://store.samhsa.gov/sites/default/files/sma13-4784.pdf. Accessed on November 6, 2024.
  4. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). “Substance Use Disorder Treatment and Family Therapy.” Retrieved from: https://store.samhsa.gov/sites/default/files/tip-39-treatment-family-therapy-pep20-02-02-012.pdf. Accessed on November 6, 2024.

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