Family Therapy

Strengthen your family’s foundation with Family Therapy

at cityscape counseling in chicago

Our therapists here at Cityscape Counseling have extensive experience working with families who are dealing with a wide range of clinical issues. Our goal in family therapy is to improve the functioning of the entire family unit. Family therapy can help you recognize that you are not just an individual struggling alone within a family but rather that you are part of a bigger system and when you are struggling, the entire family struggles together. The family system consists of individuals with unique strengths and struggles and each individual impacts all the other individuals in the family. Engaging in family therapy at Cityscape Counseling will give you the tools needed to restore harmony within the family so that you can thrive together.

Improving Relationships One Step at a Time

Family is usually our first and most impactful connection in our life. The connections we have within our family will serve as a foundation for all our external and future relationships. As life evolves and we all naturally grow and change, the family will need to change too. Sometimes these changes can be painful and lead to family conflict. Family therapy can help all the members in the family to better adapt to the inevitable changes faced by the family. Our therapists will work to help your family heal and thrive again. Not all family members have to be fully motivated in order for change to occur. Powerful family healing can occur even when one family member is willing to shift their behavior and attitude.

What is family therapy like?

children representing family therapy

During the session, a therapist will meet with you and your family members including parents, children and other relatives who are a part of the core family system. The family therapist will seek to understand the needs and issues from the perspective of each individual. The therapist will ensure that each family member is given a voice to express their concerns. The therapist will teach all the family members how to “really” listen to what others are trying to communicate, will negotiate positions for each member of the family and will work on creating a harmonious path forward for the family as a whole. Ultimately, the goal of family therapy is for the family to learn to better understand one another, to practice empathy and compassion for each other, and to learn relationship enhancing problem solving skills for the future.

Reasons to seek out family therapy

These are just some reasons that people might seek out family therapy. This is not an exhaustive list:

  • Divorce
  • Coparenting issues
  • Blended Families
  • Mental health challenges in one or more family members
  • Behavioral problems
  • Grief or loss of a family member
  • Trauma
  • Abuse
  • Substance Abuse
  • Illness of a family member
  • High conflict within the home

benefits of Family therapy

  • Learn how to better express needs
  • Improve listening skills
  • Learn how to validate and appropriately respond to needs of others
  • Restore trust
  • Establish roles and boundaries
  • Enhance unity and connection
  • Learn to work together as a team
  • A space to talk about difficult life events or transitions
  • Learn coping mechanisms
  • Master problem solving skills

​If you are interested in making an appointment for family therapy, contact us today to get set up with one of our family therapists.