As the title says, has anyone had family therapy either as a child or as a parent. Its been offered to me and my family as we're struggling at the moment with my selfharm and my therapist and i feel my children are drifting away from me because of it. When I say children...they are 16, 21 and 23. My 16year old is having most trouble understanding the situation. Although ive been harming for seven years they have only just found out about it. My therapist wants it to ne an opportunity for us to talk about it and our feelings with her.
I just wondered if anyone had any experience of this as either a parent or a child as id like to see it from both sides...and how you felt and did it help in any way
I've had family therapy twice from the 'childs' side. The first time I was about 12, it was very difficult to talk in front of my Dad because he is not one to accept that we have problems as a family. The therapist saw me individually for a while after that.
The second time was at the cassel. My dad used to say things like 'i will give you something to cry about' when i was little and crying, so it was very difficult for us to talk openly. I feel it was helpful though for him to at least get some sort of knowledge of what i am going through - a part from the few sessions we have had i have only once gone to him when i was struggling and really upset, the rest of the time he just silently observed, if that makes sense.
I have seen people really benifit from family therapy, it was part of the treatment at the cassle. if i was still living in the family home i would want to go back to it to try and help my sister and with the family dynamics, i think from being in therapy myself i have realised how important it is not to repress things and i would try and get my dad and sister to talk about their feelings.
i really hope you and your family find it benifical - its a safe place to talk about those difficult touchy subjects.
sticks and stones may break your bones but words can tear your heart out.
No, but my mum and I have also been offered it. I'm 22 and we're both currently in hospital for mental health.
I think it's a good idea and it might be really helpful for your kids too. It would be a chance for them to voice their concerns when there is someone directly supporting you as well. I think that's what I'm going to use it for when I do it with my mum.
Hi. Just wanted to say that I have been to family therapy, although many years ago. My mum was a self harmer and spent many years really struggling with it and her emotions. We only went to about half a dozen sessions, and I was only about 11/12 years old. But I found it incredibly helpful. Firstly, it was a safe place for me, mum and my younger sister to get everything out in the open and actually discuss what was happening. Alot of assumptions and false beliefs were dispelled during our sessions, both about what me and my sister believed and what my mum believed about what we thought of her. What we learnt in the sessions, we managed to take home and put into practice, for example, we were more able to understand why, and she was more able to talk to us about the triggers.
I understand that all familys are unique, and it wasn't a magic cure, but it was a starting point and gave us something to build on.
I was advised family therapy would help with my mum and my relationship but I never undertook it.
I hope it helps xx
"John, being brave is going where no man has gone before and with Lizzy Stark, that is NOT what you'll be doing!" - Aunt Polly.
“I told him I was going to betray you, and betray Lyra, and he believed me because I was corrupt and full of wickedness; he looked so deep I felt sure he'd see the truth. But I lied too well. I was lying with every nerve and fiber and everything I'd ever done...I wanted him to find no good in me, and he didn't. There is none.”
When I was with CAMHS we had family therapy. It was helpful when it was just me, my mum and my sister but when my dad joined in it was slightly harder, (hes very hard to talk to and get through to!). It was helpful though, it gives everyone a chance to voice their opinions and thoughts in a safe environment x x
Hi... Don't really have a lot of advice, I'm sorry... I have thought about family therapy before though. I've wondered if it would do any good for my family (well, my sister, parents, and I anyway)... I hope things go well for you...
