Some situations that may benefit from family counseling include:
- If a family is going through a loss.
- If a family member is suffering from substance abuse
- Issues between parents (parenting issues or going through a divorce)
- If a teenager is experiencing behavior issues such as anger outbursts
- Sibling conflict
- Needs for parenting support
How can family counseling help?
Family counseling can help open up a line of dialogue and communication and can help family members understand each other’s perspectives. This makes it easier to resolve disputes in which the Lord says to “bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you have a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you” (Colossians 3:13). Therapy allows each individual of the family unit to learn ways of communicating better, as well as develop techniques to de-escalate arguments while making sure that everybody is getting heard. Active listening is encouraged in the Bible, as in James 1:19-20, “Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires”. This can also help with parenting problems such as conflicting parenting styles, rule enforcement and remaining consistent with your child once the rules are established.
How is it accomplished?
Family therapy or counseling can be used in addition to individual treatment. The goal is to improve relationships and improve methods of communication and conflict resolution, as it says in Proverbs 15:1 “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger” and in Ephesians 4:15 to “instead, speak the truth in love”. Families are a unique ecosystem, and issues affecting one family member can reverberate and affect the whole unit; as we are called to “carry each others’ burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2). Additional benefits of this type of counseling are that in some instances, the sessions can heal emotional wounds in a short period of time.
Parenting Support
Being a parent carries a lot of responsibility, and the process can be difficult at times. Whether you are married or single, you may have feelings as though you are on your own, especially if you are dealing with a difficult situation or behavior issues with your child. It’s important to address these problems, and seeking the help of a therapist and/or parent support group can alleviate the stress. It is important to open the line of communication and express unmet needs in the caregiver/child relationship. God says in Ephesians 6:1-4, “Children, obey your parents the way the Lord wants, because this is the right thing to do […] Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but raise them with the kind of teaching and training you learn from the Lord”.
Why is parenting support necessary?
Sometimes a parent needs guidance when reinforcing rules and setting boundaries for a child, as God calls caregivers to “Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it” (Proverbs 22:6). For example, if a person is going through a divorce or other stressors inside or outside of the family unit, this can affect a child or children involved. It is important to recognize it is okay to ask for help so you do not have to weather this storm alone. Parent support groups can assist with improving parenting skills, as well as relationships between the parent and child.
Therapy can be in the form of a support group with other parents, one-on-one sessions with a therapist, or may involve family counseling. Parenting support can take the form of group therapy which involves meeting with other parents to discuss your child’s behaviors and offer advice to one another. Community support is helpful as it is important to for us to consider “how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another” Hebrews 10:24-25.
Book a consultation today for Family Counseling with Zoe Community Counseling. Call (312) 736-2060 or book a consultation online.