 Family
Therapy
A
family is like a kaleidoscope made up of varied parts that tumble
around and reconfigure themselves endlessly. When one part shifts,
the whole picture changes. (The Bridge to Recovery, 2009)
The
presence of addiction or illness (mental or physical) in a family
member is a classic example. Everyone who loves the suffering person
becomes consumed with worry.
Experts
say that family systems are literally dominated by the sickest member.
The person closest to the troubled individual becomes obsessed with
that person's problems. This leads to compulsive efforts to control
and manage the out-of-control situation.
Other
family members are robbed - not just of a normal relationship with
the identified patient (the "addict") - but also of the
time and attention of the caregiver(s).
- If
an older brother is addicted to drugs, his younger siblings can
not have a normal relationship with him. They are also deprived
of their fair share of their parents' time and attention.
- Similarly,
if a mother is obsessed with fixing her alcoholic spouse, her
children are emotionally neglected. The children lose both of
their parents - one to addiction, one to codependence.
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Research
indicates that for every addict or alcoholic, four or more
other persons are adversely affected. These are usually
immediate family members.
The
long-range consequences are profound. The
affected persons become depressed, develop anxiety disorders,
act out in self-harming or suicidal ways, or engage in socially
unacceptable behavior.
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Such
tragic outcomes might be prevented if the affected individuals had
an opportunity to focus on the confusion, fear, pain, and losses
and to develop healthy coping skills. Family members deserve
guidance and direction in living normal, healthy lives, whether
or not the addict, alcoholic, or mentally ill individual seeks help
for his/her problem.
I
assist families identify and overcome challenges within their family
system including:
-
Addiction and Early Recovery Issues
-
Intervention
-
Conflict Resolution
-
Communication Skills
-
Boundary Setting
- Changing
Dysfunctional Patterns of Relating
-
Minimizing Enabling/Codependent Behaviors
-
Supporting Individual Needs
 If
you have the desire to improve your family system dynamic, I am
here to help all of you explore underlying issues that are hindering
that growth and provide support and guidance.
Please
contact me at 425-822-3425
for your free 15 minute consultation.
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,
LMFT, NCACI, CSAC
