Family therapy is a branch of psychotherapy that treats psychological distress and relational dysfunction by working with the family as an interconnected system rather than focusing solely on an individual. Grounded in systems theory, it holds that symptoms expressed by one member often reflect and are maintained by…
Family therapy is a branch of psychotherapy that treats psychological distress and relational dysfunction by working with the family as an interconnected system rather than focusing solely on an individual. Grounded in systems theory, it holds that symptoms expressed by one member often reflect and are maintained by patterns of communication, roles, boundaries, and feedback loops within the wider family unit. Therapists assess these interactional dynamics and intervene to improve communication, clarify roles and responsibilities, renegotiate boundaries, and interrupt cycles that perpetuate conflict or symptom expression. Major approaches include structural therapy, which reorganizes hierarchies and subsystems; strategic and systemic models, which target problem-maintaining sequences; intergenerational and Bowenian work, which examines transmission of patterns across generations; and narrative and solution-focused methods, which reframe meaning and mobilize strengths. Family therapy is applied across a range of presentations, including mood and anxiety disorders, behavioral difficulties in children and adolescents, the strain of chronic or serious illness, caregiving stress, and adjustment to loss. Sessions may involve the whole family, dyads, or selected members, and emphasize collaboration, shared goals, and emotional containment. By situating the individual within relational context, family therapy aims to strengthen functioning, resilience, and mutual support across the system.
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