Family Therapy
Family therapy
encompasses the counseling given to an entire family and focuses on problems
that the family faces as a whole unit and ones that affect the entire family,
as well as problems that affect family members as individuals that cause
problems within the family. Family counseling operates on the ideology that a
family works as one big unit and each family member plays a very important,
vital role in the dynamic of the family. The primary motive of family
counseling is to resolve conflicts within the family and make family members
more aware of the dynamics within the family as well as the pain points that
cause power struggles, stress and problems within the family.
Group Therapy
Group therapy is
a form of psychotherapy that involves a larger group of people than a family
and is led by trained therapists or counselors. Group therapy sessions are held
on a weekly basis and specifically target individual struggles and problems
that are independent from factors in their life that may be causing it. This is
one of the major differences between family therapy or group therapy. Group
therapy focuses on a specific struggle or a problem that an individual may face
such as grief following the loss of a loved one, substance abuse, anxiety
problems, eating disorders, mood disorders etc. Group counseling is extremely
helpful in developing healthy and effective social skills, developing a sense
of empathy and relatability towards others and motivating others. Group
counseling also helps an individual to feel accepted, understood and motivated
to achieve their goals and boosts an individual's self-esteem.
Similarities Between
Group Therapy & Family Therapy
Surprisingly, there are
quite a few similarities between family therapy and group therapy. Both types
of therapy – family therapy and group therapy – are curated and designed to
treat an individual’s problems while working in coordination with a group as
well. In family therapy, an individual’s problems are addressed in the presence
of their family and in group therapy an individual’s problems are addressed in
the presence of other members of the group. This is especially helpful to treat
multiple people at the same time. In both these types of therapy, all
individuals participating in therapy are encouraged to freely express
themselves by talking about how they feel and letting their emotions flow
without the fear of judgement. Individuals are also encouraged to learn how
other people perceive them and accept the encouragement and support that is
given to them as well as reciprocate it to others who are part of the
sessions.
Differences Between
Group Therapy & Family Therapy
There are several
differences between family therapy/couple therapy and
group counseling. In family therapy/couple therapy, the counselor tries to
bring the family unit together and make it stronger and more cohesive whereas
in group therapy, the therapist tries to bring together individuals who are
strangers to one another. The level of familiarity to the other members present
differs. Family therapy is most often led by a licensed therapist and at a
therapist’s office whereas group therapy can be led by a trained counselor and
at various different locations like community centers, churches or counseling
program centers.
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